Malaysia has been agreed by the ASEAN Peacekeeping Centre Network (APCN) to host the ASEAN Peacekeeping Staff Exercise 2 (APSE 2), conducted from 24th of June to 5th of July 24 through Malaysian Peacekeeping Centre (MPC). The successful of 10-day exercise participated by 25 Military Officers from 7 multinational ASEAN countries, including 3 participants from Brunei, 3 participants from Indonesia, 9 participants from Malaysia, 1 participant from Myanmar, 3 participants from Philippines, 3 participants from Thailand and 3 participants from Vietnam.
Standing with the ASEAN Motto: One Vision, One Identity, One Community, ASEAN Member States has brought up togetherness in promoting peace, security and stability, thus ASEAN region has come to a unity understanding of promoting ASEAN networking, interoperability, and capacity through peacekeeping atmosphere in relation to training and exercises, specifically APSE 2, for a better implementation of peace operations. The highlight of the APSE 2 was the conduct of the Integrated Staff Exercise (INSTEX) which simulating the United Nations mission scenario, as to measure the operational readiness of the ASEAN Troops in conducting the peacekeeping mission. In addition, the practise of both Military Planning Process and Decision Making Process is essential in producing an effective action for the safety and security of both civilians and the UN Peacekeepers. The outcome of the APSE 2 will produce an effective implementation for the next APSE 3 which will be conducted in 2025 in Philippines.
Brig Gen Hjh Fadzillah binti Hj Abdullah RMAF, the Director General of Malaysian Armed Forces Defence Training in her speech during the Closing Ceremony, has emphasized her gratification on the successful conduct of APSE 2 pilot project for the planning process of deploying the ASEAN Troops. Brig Gen Hjh Fadzillah also anticipated all Member State to continuously uphold the Action For Peacekeeping (A4P) initiatives, in aiming to prepare the ASEAN Troops for a stronger, safer, and effective peacekeepers deployment, enhancing safety and security element, the wellbeing of personnel, increase the participation of women and expanding their role in the United Nations mission.
APSE 2 was officially closed on 5th of July 2024 by the Director General of Malaysian Armed Forces Defence Training. Also present were Maj Gen Chumpot Nurakkate, the Director of Peace Operations Centre, Thailand, the Defence Attache from Brunei, Indonesia, Myanmar, and Thailand, the ASEAN Secretariat representative, and the MINDEF Policy and Strategic Planning Division representatives.