
Czech Diplomats visit Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Traning Centre
22.06.2016 / 15:39 | Aktualizováno: 22.06.2016 / 16:25
In the second week of June the Deputy Ambassador Jaroslav Zukerstein and Ondrej Wagner visited the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre - KAIPTC. During the program the Embassy representatives met with the top management of KAIPTC and had the opportunity to explore the premises of the campus. Both sides showed interest to initiate cooperation.
Upon arrival Czech Diplomats were greeted by the Executive Director of KAIPTC Mr. OB Akwa together with his Deputy Mr. JSK Dzamefem. During the friendly discussion the Executive Director introduced the activities of the Centre and explained how the Centre should develop in the upcoming years. The discussion also showed that there is a mutual interest to initiate cooperation. The Czech Republic could for instance offer its experience from UN and EU missions in Mali where the Czech forces have been present since 2013.
Subsequently, Czech Diplomats had the opportunity to explore the KAIPTC Campus, which provides outstanding facilities for researchers, staff and participants of the courses held at the Centre. Facilities include seminar rooms, large lecture halls, a library and housing for course participants. Due to high demand for KAIPTC courses the Centre is being currently exanded and a new training block should be opened next year.
Since its independence Ghana participated in UN Peacekeeping Operations and wanted to create a place where past and future members of UN or AU Peacekeeping Operations could exchange experiences. KAIPTC was founded in 1998 by the former Secretary General of the United Nations Mr. Kofi Annan with the aim to create a suitable environment for education, training and research activities in the field of security and international Peacekeeping Operations. In 2003 KAIPTC welcomed its first students and course participants. Since 2003 a total of 13,600 participants successfully completed training. As such KAIPTC is the largest facility of its kind in Africa.
Several paths of cooperation between the Czech Republic and KAIPTC are possible in the future: for instance the Czech Republic could send its experts to KAIPTC as course instructors, also there is the possibility of cooperation supported by Czech companies from the defense industry, lastly KAIPTC could be supported in a form of a project under Czech Development Cooperation.