The Pre Deployment Training for troops earmarked to serve with the United Nations Assistance Mission to Iraq (UNAMI) commenced at Blackrock Camp, Nadi on Tuesday 10th September, 2019.
This peacekeeping mission is currently Fiji’s largest active United Nations Mission with approximately one hundred and sixty eight (168) men and women deployed annually.
The Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) Pre Deployment Training (PDT) commenced with the opening address by His Excellency Mr Qian Bo, the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Fiji.
In his address, Mr Bo expressed his appreciation for the invitation especially for the noble cause. “In my view this is a very solemn occasion for me to officially speak to you and Peacekeeping is a very noble cause. Prior to your deployment to Iraq with the UN assistance in Iraq, I’m pleased to learn that the 168 servicemen and servicewomen serving with the UNAMI Mission is RFMF’s largest current deployment of troops to the UN”, he said. The chief guest also stated Fiji’s contribution to the United Nations’ global efforts. “Dear Officers and soldiers for the past four decades, Fiji has been playing an important role for the UN Peacekeeping operations. Its peacekeepers serving more than every major conflict areas and the history of Fiji’s contribution to UN Peacekeeping Operation is long, longer than most of the countries in the world,” HE Qian Bo said.
His Excellency’s involvement in opening of the training also recognize the participation of Fijian peacekeepers alongside their counterparts from the People’s Republic in China’s Liberation Army in South Sudan with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, in Lebanon with the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization and formerly with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon.
Apart from serving together in peacekeeping missions, members of the RFMF regularly undergo training in the People’s Republic in China, acquiring skills and knowledge that is not only utilized locally but also abroad on deployment for peacekeeping missions.
