Description

The United Nations Comprehensive Protection of Civilians Course – 15 (UNCPoCC–15) was conducted from 08 to 19 December 2025 at the Centre for International Peace and Stability (CIPS), NUST Islamabad. This UN-certified course aimed to educate and sensitize participants on the functioning of the United Nations, the roles and responsibilities of peacekeepers, and the operational and conceptual framework of the Protection of Civilians (PoC) in peace operations.

Participation

The course was attended by 38 participants representing diverse professional backgrounds, including military personnel, police officers, and civilians. Of these, 12 participants were from the military and police, while 26 were civilians from various institutions, reflecting the multidisciplinary and inclusive nature of the training program.

Conduct Methodology

The course methodology focused on the latest Specialized Training Material (STM) for the Protection of Civilians, including lectures from the Core Pre-deployment Training Materials (CPTM). Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), including representatives from UN organizations, also delivered lectures.

Closing Ceremony

The closing ceremony of UNCPoCC–15 marked the successful completion of the course. Addressing the participants, Associate Dean CIPS, Dr. Muhammad Makki, congratulated the trainees and commended their commitment, professionalism, and active engagement throughout the program. He appreciated the diverse representation of participants from various professional and academic backgrounds, alongside uniformed personnel, and emphasized that the protection of civilians is a fundamental obligation of all parties to a conflict and a core priority of the United Nations. Despite global efforts, he noted, civilians continue to bear the heaviest burden of armed conflict, making PoC central to peacekeeping mandates and both a moral and legal obligation under the UN Charter and international law.

Dr. Makki highlighted that effective PoC implementation requires well-trained personnel, adequate resources, and clear rules of engagement, underscoring the importance of training and preparedness. He noted that CIPS has conducted 227 courses and trained over 4,355 peacekeepers in line with UN policies and guidelines. He further highlighted that for more than 76 years, Pakistan has been a leading contributor to UN peacekeeping, providing military, police, diplomatic, and civilian personnel to missions worldwide. In closing, he expressed confidence that participants would apply their learning to protect civilians and strengthen UN peacekeeping efforts.

Course Photos

UN Comprehensive Protection of Civilians Course (UNCPoCC–15)