Kazakh peacekeepers are ready for missions, UN experts say

Kazakh peacekeepers are ready for missions, the United Nations (UN) experts assessed. They came to Kazakhstan to conduct a comprehensive inspection. Over the course of a week, the inspectors became acquainted not only with the state of the material and technical base, but also with the training level of the military personnel.

“Online interviews were also conducted with various UN agencies. They tested knowledge on gender issues, human rights, international humanitarian law, and also, of course, on discipline and law and order,” said Bauyrzhan Nigmetullin, Head of Kazakhstan Peace Operations Center of the Defense Ministry.

At the Bitimger training center, UN inspectors checked the coherence of the actions of military personnel when guarding the peacekeeping base, organizing checkpoints, patrolling, and providing first aid in case of injury. An algorithm for responding to the detection of an explosive device was also developed.

“During these last days I’ve had a chance to come to Kazakhstan for the first time of my life and we’ve had a chance to go to the Peacekeeping Training Center. We’ve seen very good troops, very good officers, very good instructors dedicated to the preparation of the unit in the service of peace, in the service of the United Nations,” said Cédric Pascal, Head of the Delegation and Planning Officer for the troop formation service of the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations.

The UN commission will present its final evaluation on Kazakhstan’s peacekeeping readiness to undertake independent peacekeeping missions in early 2024.