UN Military Observers Course (UNMOC) – 19

1. Gen. United Nations Military Observer Course- 19 (UNMOC-19) was conducted at Centre for International Peace and Stability (CIPS), NUST Islamabad from 22 Oct to 02 Nov 2018 with a purpose to educate / sensitize the participants about functioning of UN and duties / role of Military Observers (MOs).
2. Participation. 26 x Officers participated in the course. Ten officers from Pakistan Armed Forces (08 x Army and 02 x Air Force) and sixteen officers from friendly countries attended the UNMOC– 19. The foreign participants were from Brunei, Egypt, Jordon, Kazakhstan, Maldives, Nigeria, Spain, Sri Lanka, UK and Ukraine. Participation of students from Brunei, Maldives and Spain was for the time in any course at CIPS, Pakistan.
3. Conduct Methodology. The course focused on Specialized Training Material (STM) for military experts on msn. However, certain lectures from Core Pre-deployment Training Module (CPTM 2107) were also included. Subject Matters Experts (SMEs) also delivered lectures as per training programme. The syllabus was evenly distributed. Many Reps of UN Organizations like UNOCHA, UNHCR, UNAIDS and UN Women  also delivered lectures.

• • Outdoor Training. Outdoor training was also conducted wherein participants were taken out for practical training of the subjects/ issues which were earlier taught in the classroom. The field training activities included : –
    • Negotiation/ Mediation in the field with Rebels.
    • Hostage taking of an Observer fol by his release activities.
    • Minefield Activity (Identification, precaution and reporting)
    • Media handling in the fd.

• • Classroom Learning Activity. Students took part in various learning activities Exs which did include some which were experienced in mission areas. All students participated enthusiastically and generated very healthy discussion. Many lessons were learnt during the course of discussion.
  • CARANA Ex. CARANA Ex was conducted as per the UN ITS requirement. It was a two tier Ex; aimed to practice function / response of MOs as per changing situations and included major stages of military planning and decision making process.
  • Visit UNMOGIP. The course visited UNMOGIP in Diplomatic Enclave. Visitors were briefed on the mandate, org, routine schedule and other relevant matters of the UNMOGIP Observer Mission.
  • Extra-Curricular Activities. The foreign participants during their stay visited Army Museum, Pakistan monument, Lok Versa, Army School of Logistic (ASL), Kuldana and Golf Club Bhurban, Murree.

4. Closing Ceremony

• The closing ceremony of the course was held on 02 Nov 2018. After the welcome address by Principal NIPCOS, HoD PKT gave a comprehensive briefing which was followed by Certificate Award Ceremony. Two Ambassadors HE Mr. Barlybay Sadykov, Ambassador of Kazakhstan and HE High Commissioner of Sri Lanka Mr. Noordeen Mohamed Shahied were invited / attended the closing ceremony. DA’s of Sri Lanka, Kazakhstan, Brunei, Egypt and Uzbekistan also attended the ceremony. Ambassador of Kazakhstan distributed the certificates to the successful Pakistani participants whereas Sri Lankan High Commissioner awarded the certificates to all foreign participants.
• Closing Remarks by Kazakhstan Ambassador. HE the Ambassador Mr. Barlybay Sadykov highly appreciated the contributions made by Pakistan Army in peacekeeping and commended CIPS on its achievement in a short span of few years. He mentioned that bond between both the countries is strengthening. In Nov 2017, a high powered delegations visited Astana and signed the contract b/w Pakistan and Kazakhstan for military cooperation where as another high powered delegations will be visiting Kazakhstan in Dec 2018. He desired that the association between Pakistan and Kazakhstan in peacekeeping domain should continue to grow with exchange of students, faculty’s members and correspondence.
• ​Closing Remarks by Sri Lankan High Commissioner. HE the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka Mr. Noordeen Mohamed Shahied said that Pakistan achievements and contributions to UN peacekeeping, in-spite of Pakistan’s Army global and national commitments are unmatchable and par excellence. Sri Lankan officers who have attended courses at CIPS, speak very high of professionalism of CIPS faculty. Pakistan is like a second home for all including him. The High Commissioner said that they would like to increase their cooperation in all aspects and make a request to the concerned authorities in helping Sri Lankan Army in organizing and establishing institute of such a stature in Sri Lanka.

5. Presentation of Souvenirs. At the end of ceremony, Principal NIPCONS presented CIPS shields to both the dignitaries’ along with CIPS Journal.

(Click on the photo for more photos of the group)