Cairo International Centre for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping, and Peacebuilding (CCCPA)conducted a training of trainers (ToT) course titled “Preventing Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) in Peace Operations” for Egyptian personnel involved in peace operations.
Military, police, and civilian personnel representing the Egyptian Ministries of Defense, Interior, and Foreign Affairs participated in this training, which comes as part of a series of joint trainings conducted by the three entities.
The ToT seeks to build the capacities of participants on PSEA in peacekeeping contexts, given the pivotal role of peacekeepers in advancing peace and stability regionally and internationally, while upholding the UN standards of conduct, including through reporting and investigation.
The training enhanced the participants’ understanding of the current PSEA frameworks, improved their ability to conduct PSEA training and sensitization campaigns, and established a forum for the UN, African Union (AU), and nations that provide troops or police to exchange experiences on PSEA. Furthermore, by utilizing women, peace, and security outcomes, the training helped to restore confidence in peacekeeping as a tool for multilateral cooperation and productive partnerships.
The timely training “stands as a testament to Egypt’s longstanding commitment to UN peacekeeping as one of the largest troop/police contributing countries, as well as its staunch support for the UN and AU’s zero-tolerance policy on SEA in peacekeeping operations/peace support operations,” said Ambassador Ahmed Abdel-Latif, Director General of CCCPA.
He further emphasized Egypt’s desire to support ongoing reforms in peacekeeping and efforts to improve the efficiency and accountability of peace operations by effectively protecting civilians, especially women and children, from SEA.
He continued by saying that Egypt’s commitments to partnerships and training made at the UN Peacekeeping Ministerial meeting in Seoul in December 2021 are being implemented in real-time by this training, which coincides with the UN Peacekeeping Ministerial Meeting scheduled to take place in Ghana in December of next year.
Japan’s commitment to bolstering peace and security in Africa, including through the provision of capacity-building training like that provided by CCCPA, was emphasized by Ambassador Oka Hiroshi, the country’s envoy to Egypt.
As “a critical contributor to achieving lasting peace and protecting civilians, which requires full abidance by the standards of responsibility and discipline,” he emphasized the significance of peace operations.
Speaking briefly about his nation’s efforts to “assist UN efforts to strengthen the conduct of peacekeeping operations and personnel,” the Japanese Ambassador. Ambassador Hiroshi conveyed his sincere gratitude for Egypt’s long-standing support of UN peacekeeping efforts.
He also commended the long-standing cooperation with CCCPA and highlighted how, through its capacity-building initiatives, it has helped to promote peace, stability, and development.
