The United Nations Peacekeeping Operations Contingent Commanders' Course (UNPKOCCC) commenced at the Birendra Peace Operations Training Centre (BPOTC) on 13th Feb 2023 in collaboration with Global Peace Operations Initiative. A total of 20 student officers from the Nepali Army and ten from friendly foreign countries (2 each from Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand) are attending this ten-day course. The course intends to prepare competent contingent commanders who can assume leadership positions and operate in a complex and multidimensional UN peace Operation Environment. The training team consists of three Subject Matter Experts led by Stein Ellingsen and a senior mentor Maj Gen (Rtd.) Baillaud Jean, the former deputy force commander MONUSCO mission.

During the opening address, the Commandant of the Birendra Peace Operations Training Centre (BPOTC), Col Sudhir Pratap Singh, highlighted the existence of a diversified and higher level of threat to the peacekeepers that demand resourceful, pragmatic, and effective planning as well as timely and correct decision-making endeavors by the commanders. He further emphasized the need for commanders to understand the spectrum of conflict and have military acumen in translating these through their skills and initiative.

The course will conclude on 24th Feb 2023.