Addressing the event, Deputy Defence Minister Sen. Lt. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh stressed that many countries in the region have been affected by consequences caused by bombs and mines left over from wars, calling on them to team up to handle the issue.
Vinh said that Vietnam is one of the countries that suffer most seriously from unexploded bombs and mines dropped during times of conflict. The Vietnam People’s Army is doing its utmost to overcome the resultant impacts by clearing the ordnance, improving the environment and helping local people stabilise their lives and production activities.
He noted the Vietnamese Government always backs collaboration among regional countries, and with others, in promoting humanitarian mine action, affirming that the ADMM event enabled Vietnam and other member nations to share experience and support to cope with the challenges and consequences.
He said he believes that by increasing their mutual understanding, regional countries will be able to strengthen their co-operation in the field and bring about practical benefits.
A 2014–2017 action plan for the working group was presented at the event.
Participants delivered a number of reports on the damage caused by unexploded ordnance dropped during wars and conflicts in ASEAN countries and others.
Vietnamese representatives put forth some solutions to overcome the issues.
The Experts’ Working Group on Humanitarian Mine Action was established under Vietnam’s initiative at the second ADMM+ in Brunei in 2013.
