The Malaysian Peacekeeping Centre (MPC) is honoured to host an official visit on 31st October 2024 from the Under-Secretary-General (USG) Special Coordinator for the UN Response to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA), Mr. Christian F. Saunders, as well as the Assistant Secretary-General (ASG) for UN Victims' Rights Advocate, Ms. Najla Nassif Palma.
The primary objective of this visit was to leverage the opportunity on ongoing Military Gender Advisor (Mil GENAD) Course, co-organized by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), which included participants from multiple Member States, highlighting the essential responsibility and challenges of GENADs in preventing cases of SEA, besides underscoring the impact of effective implementation of the UN policies. Meanwhile, Ms. Palma has emphasized on prioritizing the rights and dignity of SEA victims in preventing and developing the response strategies in the UN mission area. Mr. Saunders also received valuable insights on the role and achievements of the MPC in furthering global peacekeeping initiatives from the Commandant, Col Noor Azman bin Hj Yahya. Commandant also has underlined the ongoing commitment of MPC to advancing peacekeeping training and integrating gender perspectives into all training purposes. This aligns with the broader of UN agenda to address and prevent SEA, subsequently fostering gender equality within peacekeeping forces.
The visit not only marks a step forward in strengthening cooperation between the United Nations and Malaysia in peacekeeping field, but also highlights MPC’s role as a regional leader in gender-inclusive military training and ethical conduct within International operations. Also present during the visit was the Director General of the Malaysian Armed Forces Defence Training Department, Brig Gen Dato' Abdul Halim bin Abu Hassan RMAF.
