UNDSS strengthens partnership with Romania for training of UN Close Protection Officers

31 May 2022 | UNDSS Comms

On 23 and 24 May 2022, Mrs. Esther Kuisch Laroche, Director of the Division of Partnerships and Specialized Support in UNDSS visited Bucharest, Romania, in her capacity as the United Nations Appointed Official for the Revised Close Protection Officer Certification programme (RCPOC).  

The main focus of the visit was the signature of a one-year extension of the agreement between the United Nations and the Government of Romania for the implementation of the 2022-2023 RCPOC. The training programme delivers certification courses for close protection officers (CPOs) who have never been certified and re-certification courses for those CPOs whose certification validity has expired.  

In her remarks, Mrs. Kuisch Laroche expressed the UN’s appreciation for Romania’s support: "We are very grateful to the Government of Romania for their long-standing support to UNDSS in the field of close protection. We look forward to further expanding our cooperation.” 

General Lucian-Silvan Pahontu, Director of the Protection and Guard Service (PGS) of the Government of Romania said: "We remain committed to provide full support in our traditional areas of collaboration, provision of Close Protection Units in UN Field Operations and the certification of the United Nations Close Protection Officers, but we are also ready to expand our good relationship with UNDSS in other areas related to security training, integrated tactical concept of protective operations, analytical capabilities, as well as psychological evaluation and support".  

During her mission, Mrs. Kuisch Laroche met with the United Nations RCPOC Instructors and the students attending the certification course. She also engaged with the Romanian authorities on possible new areas of cooperation; and visited the PGS training facilities.   

The mission marked another milestone in the solid partnership that Romania and the United Nations have enjoyed over decades, and UNDSS looks forward to continuing these collaborative efforts, which help enable UN programs and save lives around the world.