Ireland is to train African peace-keepers to prepare them for missions with the United Nations (UN).

The Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan announced the programme at a UN summit in New York, hosted by US Vice President Joe Biden and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

Mr Flanagan said "Ireland has acquired a proud track record in UN peacekeeping missions over more than 50 years. In recent years, Irish peacekeepers have gained additional expertise through EU training missions in Mali and Somalia."

"We want to assist prospective partners to enhance their own skills and capacities and to play their part in meeting the challenges of regional peace and security. Our training programme will draw on the widely-acknowledged expertise of Irish peacekeepers and also reflect UN best practice."

"The training will include a specific focus on areas including protection of civilians, gender sensitivity, human rights and leadership training and logistics."

The programme will also include niche areas which Ireland has specific expertise - such as training in countering improvised explosive devices or training for military police.

The African countries selected will be chosen from those with which Ireland already has a relationship through Irish Aid.

Mr Flanagan said the programme will involve training officers, who will then have responsibility for training within their own forces.

"We would hope in this way to strengthen partners' ability to assume the burdens of peacekeeping and to make a strong and sustainable contribution to UN peacekeeping missions into the future," he added.

Detailed planning on the scope, locations and focus of the training is to be coordinated with the UN, the European Union and other contributors.