Harinder Sood, ITS Chief, presents the certification recognizing Vietnam's UNSOC course for meeting UN pre-deployment training standards. (Photo credit: Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations)

The certificate was presented on Wednesday at UN headquarters in New York by Harinder Sood, Chief of the Integrated Training Service under the UN Department of Peace Operations.

The 2026 United Nations Staff Officers Course (UNSOC) was held from January 3 to January 30 at the headquarters of the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations, involving 41 trainees from Vietnam and several other countries.

Delegates, instructors, and trainees pose for a group photo at the opening ceremony of the 2026 UNSOC course. (Photo credit: Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations)

The UN’s recognition is particularly significant as it marks the first time since Vietnam began participating in UN peacekeeping operations that a training course organized by the country has been certified as meeting international standards.

The milestone reflects a major step forward in Vietnam’s capacity to organize peacekeeping training, affirming that its professional expertise, training methods, and curriculum fully meet UN standards.