Description

The United Nations Engagement Platoon (UNEP-08) course was conducted from 07 to 18 September 2026 in accordance with the United Nations Reinforcement Training Package (RTP). It prepared military personnel for community interaction, gender-sensitive peacekeeping, and human terrain mapping in complex missions. The objective was to cultivate meaningful involvement and advocate for integrating individuals at all levels and roles within peacekeeping missions to achieve sustainable peace.

Objective

The primary objective of the UNEP-08 course was to develop the core competencies of military personnel in community engagement, gender-sensitive peacekeeping, and inclusive operational practices. It aimed to enhance their ability to interact with local populations in complex conflict environments, contribute to mission effectiveness, and uphold the values of the United Nations by promoting inclusion, protection, and sustainable peace in host communities.

Participation Overview

Four officers from the Pakistan Army, of whom three were lady officers, successfully completed the course.

Conduct Methodology

The course was designed to equip peacekeepers with the essential knowledge needed to carry out tasks effectively in UN missions. Participants were exposed to the various facets of their roles and functions during ET.  Additionally, they received enlightening presentations from Adjunct Faculty to gain insights from subject-matter experts (SMEs). Participants also got mission training through Seminars and hands-on learning through extensive Scenario-Based/Tabletop Exercises, ensuring a well-rounded and experiential educational environment.

The participants also attended a insightful session organized by DPOT on the Role of Women in Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding, during which Ms. Fahmida Iqbal Khan (Deputy Country Representative, UN Women Pakistan) delivered the keynote address. The session was also graced by Mr. Jamshed Kazi (Country Representative, UN Women Pakistan).

Closing Ceremony

Dr. Muhammad Makki, Associate Dean of CIPS, delivered the closing remarks after the certificate distribution ceremony. He expressed his pleasure at addressing the participants and congratulated them on successfully completing the course. He emphasized that the Department of Peace Operations Training (DPOT) has made significant progress in a short span, organizing 237 courses and training over 4,540 peacekeepers in accordance with UN policies and guidelines. He underscored Pakistan’s meaningful role in United Nations peacekeeping missions, highlighting its consistent contributions of soldiers, police officers, diplomats, civil servants, and relief workers in conflict areas under the UN flag. He noted that Pakistan ranks among the leading Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs), with its commitment to international peace widely acknowledged. In his concluding remarks, he expressed confidence that the course would strengthen the participants’ understanding of UN systems and support their future roles as peacekeepers and Engagement Platoon members, while wishing them success in their professional careers.

United Nations Engagement Platoon (UNEP-08)