Minister of National Defence General Phan Văn Giang addresses the event, clarifies key issues raised by deputies. VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI – Continuing its 9th session, the 15th National Assembly convened a plenary discussion on the draft law on participation in United Nations peacekeeping operations on the afternoon of Monday.

During the session, Nguyễn Thị Quyên Thanh, a deputy from the Mekong Delta province of Vĩnh Long, proposed that the drafting committee further specify support policies to further encourage and facilitate the participation of women in UN peacekeeping missions. She suggested adding provisions to Clause 6, Article 25, authorising the Government to detail special priority policies for female personnel. These measures would not only reflect the State’s attention to gender inclusion but also enhance the quality and effectiveness of women’s contributions in peacekeeping roles, she noted.

The deputy also expressed her strong support for the Government’s proposal to expand eligible participants to include public officials and civil servants. She underscored that such an expansion would enable Việt Nam to mobilise a broader pool of human resources for more active engagement in peacekeeping operations, particularly in leadership and policymaking roles in UN bodies, thereby strengthening Việt Nam’s global presence and influence.

Showing support for the law's enactment, deputy Nguyễn Tâm Hùng from the southern province of Bà Rịa – Vũng Tàu recommended that the drafting body incorporate principles of voluntary participation and a commitment to national service in international contexts.

He further called for the Government to be tasked with developing a detailed set of criteria for assessing professional competencies across specific domains such as military engineering, medical services, logistics, communications, legal affairs, and civil advisory roles. Establishing standardised criteria would ensure a more objective and transparent selection process, Hùng said.

Meanwhile, Nguyễn Tạo, a deputy from the Central Highlands province of Lâm Đồng, proposed assigning all peacekeeping responsibilities to the armed forces, including the People’s Army and People’s Public Security forces.

Following the plenary sitting, NA members moved into group discussions on the amended railway law and the investment policy related to a project on the construction of HCM City Ring Road No 4. – VNS