AKIPRESS.COM - Khaan Quest 2025 kicked off at the Tavan Tolgoi training facility near Ulaanbaatar as soldiers from the Mongolian Armed Forces hosted United Nations participants from more than 20 different countries at the opening ceremony June 14.

Opening remarks were given by Mongolian Armed Forces Chief of General Staff Sunreviin Ganbyamba, Member of the Parliament of Mongolia Bukhchuluun Purevdorj, U.S. Ambassador to Mongolia Richard Buangan and Deputy Commanding General of United States Army Pacific Joel B. Vowell.

"Over the last two decades the Khaan Quest exercise has evolved into a highly significant and impactful multinational training event, bringing together more then 21,000 military professionals from 67 different countries. Throughout its history, it has constantly served as a vital platform for enhancing professional knowledge and strengthening practical skills," said Ganbyamba.

Khaan Quest is an annual, multinational and multicomponent training exercise designed to promote regional peace and security. The event features both command post and field training exercises focused on reinforcing UN standards across the forces and unilateral understanding. This year, realistic scenario-based training concentrated on peacekeeping operations with realistic training scenarios involving humanitarian organizations and host nation partners.

"We face increasingly complex security challenges, from regional conflicts to humanitarian crises. Khaan Quest prepares us to meet these challenges, equipping us with the skills and trust needed to operate in volatile environments. This work is about upholding the values of freedom, justice, and human dignity, protecting vulnerable populations and creating conditions for lasting peace," said Vowell.

This year marks the 22nd iteration of Khaan Quest. Over 1,200 participants took part in the exercise from the United States, the United Kingdom, Turkey, Thailand, South Korea, Egypt, Qatar, Vietnam, Philippines, Australia, Kyrgyzstan, Kuwait, Japan, Italy, India, Germany, France, Egypt, East Timor, China, Canada, Bhutan, and New Zealand.

"Peacekeeping serves an essential purpose around the world. Peacekeeping demands the same level of discipline, skill, knowledge, and leadership that we demand of our troops at war. That is why we support and participate in Khaan Quest, to collectively prepare ourselves for an unknown future where peace is the ultimate goal," said Buangan.