ULAN BATOR, June 7 (Xinhua) -- The annual multinational peacekeeping exercise, code-named Khaan Quest 2022, kicked off at Five Hills Training Area near the Mongolian capital here on Monday, according to the presidential office of Mongolia.
More than 1,000 military personnel from 15 countries, including Mongolia, the United States, Germany, South Korea, Qatar and India, are participating in the 18th edition of the peacekeeping exercise, which will last until June 20, the presidential office said in a statement.
"As a member of the United Nations, Mongolia is aware of its responsibilities to the international community and continues to actively participate in peacekeeping operations. Mongolia will continue to pursue a peaceful foreign policy and will always be open to cooperation with the rest of the world," Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh said at the opening ceremony.
Khaan Quest 2022, organized by the Mongolian Armed Forces (MAF), consists of a command post exercise and a field training exercise. It is expected to focus on peacekeeping and stability operations such as checkpoint control and civilian protection in a realistic scenario.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the first deployment of Mongolian peacekeepers to UN peacekeeping operations. Since then, Mongolia has sent a total of 20,346 military personnel to UN peacekeeping operations around the globe, according to the MAF. ■