Nordic countries 'strongly support' innovative approaches in UN peacekeeping training

UNITED NATIONS -- The five Nordic countries -- Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Sweden and Norway -- "strongly support the emphasis on innovative approaches to make training more effective," a Norwegian diplomat said here on Tuesday on behalf of the northern European group.

Speaking at the United Nations Security Council Open Debate on Investing in Peace: Improving Safety and Performance of UN Peacekeepers, Mona Juul, Permanent Representative of Norway to the United Nations, said that "We fully agree that quality training and capacity-building are crucial for improving the safety, security and performance of peacekeepers."

The Nordic countries cooperate to provide a wide range of training courses that are vital to the effective implementation of peacekeeping mandates, Juul said, adding that the Nordic countries are also supporting the review and updating of UN police training architecture in line with the Strategic Guidance Framework for International Police Peacekeeping.

He said the five countries "strongly support" the emphasis on innovative approaches to make training more effective. Training should focus on crisis management, which includes casualty evacuation and medical evacuation, and on the protection of civilians, he said.

Relevant training also needs to focus on the work to prevent, investigate and prosecute serious crimes committed against peacekeepers, he said, adding that "the Nordic countries are longstanding and consistent supporters of UN peacekeeping."