Gen.   United Nations Staff Officers Course- 35 (UNSOC-35) was conducted at the Centre for International Peace and Stability (CIPS), NUST Islamabad from 23 May to 03 June 2022 with the purpose to educate/sensitizing the participants about UN  functioning, basic principles, guidelines and policies with the objective to guide participants so that they can carry out critical tasks to assist countries in the transition from conflict to peace as well as the duties/role they will perform as Staff Officers (SOs) in FHQ/ SHQ.

Participation.  30 x Officers participated in the course. Seventeen officers from Pakistan Armed Forces (14 x male & 05 x female officers) and eleven officers from friendly countries attended the course. The foreign participants were from Bangladesh, Egypt, Jordan, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, and Tunisia.

Instructors.  Peacekeeping training faculty, Serving Officers from Pakistan Army and lady instructors (from UN and academia), and subject-matter experts (SMEs) imparted training to the participants. In mission training about the current situation and challenges was also conducted by senior officers deployed in mission areas via video link.

Conduct Methodology. The course was conducted as per Integrated Training Service (ITS) developed training materials. DPO/DOS guidance materials such as peacekeeping training policies, standard operating procedures, guidelines, and cross-cutting peacekeeping training strategies were also referred to during the training. Subject-matter experts (SMEs) in the field also delivered lectures.

CARANA Ex.   CARANA Ex was conducted during the last phase of the course as per the UN ITS requirement. It was designed to test the ability of the staff officers in understanding the mission environment and the headquarters functioning of the Force and Sector Headquarters (FHQ and SHQ) in a multi-dimensional peacekeeping operation. The participating staff officers were exposed to different operational situations which required them to carry out an in-depth analysis of these situations. The officers were evenly distributed in FHQ and SHQ and were given appointments as per UN staff appointments.

Extra-Curricular Activities. The foreign participants visited the Army Museum, Pakistan monument, Pakistan Gallery – Army School of Logistic (ASL), and Chinar Golf Club Murree. Farewell Dinner was hosted at a Hill resort at Monal near Islamabad. They were also taken to different markets around Islamabad for sightseeing/shopping on different dates and as per the schedule/ request of students.

Closing Ceremony

The closing ceremony of the course was held on 3^rd June 2022. His Excellency, the Ambassador of Nigeria Mr. Mohammed Bellow Abioye was invited as the Chief Guest. Defense Attaché of Egypt, Nigeria, and Saudi Arabia was also present at the ceremony. Principal NIPCONS, Major General Muhammad Salim Raza HI (M), (Retired) welcomed the Ambassador and spoke of Pakistan’s role in contributing to the peace and security of the world. Thereafter, HoD PKT gave a comprehensive briefing on CIPS and Peacekeeping Training Department.

The Ambassador of Nigeria was then requested to distribute certificates to the successful participants. In his closing Remarks, his Excellency spoke of the prominent and noteworthy role of Nigeria and Pakistan as TCC to the UN peacekeeping mission and the efforts by both countries for global peace. He also appreciated CIPS contribution as the premier training Institute for UN Peacekeepers in Pakistan and its academic achievements for International Peace and Stability.

Presentation of Souvenirs At the end of the ceremony, Principal NIPCONS presented CIPS shields to all the dignitaries along with copies of CIPS Journal and Magazine.

(Click above for more pictures from the course)