Belgrade, Serbia - CCCPA and the Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt in Serbia participated in the 7th Annual Meeting of the European Association of Peace Operations Training Centers (EAPTC), organized by the Conflux Center for Intercultural Dialogue and Mediation, from 16-18 April 2019.
 
The meeting offered a platform to discuss aligning peacekeeping training to the new and emerging operational needs, in light of the ongoing efforts to reform peacekeeping. The main objective is adapting training to make peace operations safer and more effective, with well-equipped and well-trained forces.
 
Participants discussed several topics, including the importance of peacekeeping intelligence in contributing to improving the safety and security of peacekeepers and enhancing their situational awareness; the need for training on conflict analysis and mediation skills, including through online trainings; and exploring ways to expand partnerships with regional and sub-regional organizations. 
 
Speaking at the session on “The Role of the EAPTC”, CCCPA Director General Ashraf Swelam shared his experience--as the former President of the International Association of Peacekeeping Training Centers (IAPTC) in 2017-2018--on how to strengthen and revitalize the role of the Association. Director General Swelam also participated in the fourth panel on "Mission Leadership Training", highlighting the most important challenges facing mission leaders in the field and the implications for training. He referred to the “Cairo Roadmap for Enhancing the Performance of Peacekeeping Operations from Mandate to Exit”, which highlights preparedness of leadership and personnel in peacekeeping operations as a key factor in ensuring the highest level of performance and capacity to implement the mandated tasks.
 
Ambassador of Egypt to Serbia, H.E. Mr. Amr Aljowaily, addressed the third panel on “Peacekeeping in The Digital Age: From Online Training to Cyber-Attacks”, where he focused on Egypt's role in developing policies and procedures for the use of technology in peacekeeping operations--as the rapporteur of the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operation (C34), and its former membership of the Group of Governmental Experts on Developments in the Field of Information and Telecommunications in the Context of International Security.
 
On the sidelines of the EAPTC, the Egyptian Embassy in Serbia organized several meetings with research centers, training institutions, and think tanks, including the Institute of International Politics and Economy (IIPE), the Diplo Foundation and the Conlux Center to explore potential opportunities of cooperation with CCCPA.