Viet Nam targets to clear UXO-contaminated land by 2045

The Government chief announced the above target while addressing the conference on summary of the implementation of the National Action Program to overcome the post-war consequences of unexploded ordances in Viet Nam for the period 2010-2025, held in Ha Noi on January 13.

Participants to the conference included Minister of National Defense Phan Van Giang, leaders of several ministries, agencies and localities, foreign diplomats and representatives of international organizations in Viet Nam.

The conference aims to improve the awareness and responsibility of authorities at all levels and to bolster international cooperation in overcoming the war legacy in Viet Nam.

After the second war world, Viet Nam was one of the countries most suffered by war consequences, unexploded ordnances and toxic chemicals.

Post-war bombs and mines have killed more than 40,000 innocent residents and injured more than 60,000 others, plunging thousands of families into hardship.

Land contaminated by bombs and mines remained vast, creating big hurdles for socio-economic development efforts.

Fifteen years since the introduction of the National Action Program, the work to overcome the war consequences and clear unexploded ordnances has brought about significant outcomes.

First, the Government has adopted mechanisms and policies to create a favorable legal framework for overcoming the war consequences and providing assistance to victims of post-war bombs and mines.

Second, Viet Nam established the National Steering Committee on overcoming the post-war consequences of unexploded ordnances and toxic chemicals, the Viet Nam National Mine Action Center , the Support fund for bomb and mine clearance. At local level, several localities have set up their steering committees and organizations to support victims of post-war bombs and mines.

Third, Viet Nam has allocated VND23 trillion from State budget and mobilized US$234 million from foreign countries and sponsors for bomb and mine clearance over the past 15 years.

Fourth, the Southeast Asian nation has deployed 8,844 projects to decontaminate around 530,000 hectares of land, completed and announced a map that shows contaminated areas nationwide, paving the way for ministries, agencies and localities to design socio-economic development strategies and plans.

Fifth, the number of landmine accidents has decreased significantly, with many localities experiencing a reduction in landmine accidents for many years. Hundreds of thousands of people have gained access to methods for preventing landmine accidents.

All disabled people who are victims of post-war bombs and mines have been provided with monthly social allowances.

Sixth, public communication and education work has proved the key to reducing casualties from landmine and unexploded ordnance accidents.

Seventh, Viet Nam has actively put forward initiatives and share its experience in bomb and mine clearance, reflecting the country's proactive engagement in global multilateral mechanisms and its appreciation for the values of peace.

Speaking at the conference, U.S. Ambassador to Viet Nam Marc Knapper said Viet Nam is a pioneering country in the region and the world in eliminating unexploded ordnances, expressing his belief that Viet Nam's success story can be shared and applied in many other areas in the world to promote peace and prosperity.

Ramla Khalidi – UNDP Resident Representative in Viet Nam spoke highly of the Vietnamese Government's drastic and consistent commitment to overcoming the war consequences, considering it as a key national priority.

UNDP is proud to team up with Viet Nam on this journey and commits to standing side by side with Viet Nam in the year to come, she affirmed.

Addressing the conference, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said the war consequences in Viet Nam remain very severe, especially for the families of martyrs, people with meritorious service to the revolution, wounded and sick soldiers, and those affected by chemical toxins and Agent Orange/dioxin.

The Party and State of Viet Nam define bomb and mine clearance and war consequence overcoming as a central, urgent and long-term political task as this is a highly humane and deeply compassionate undertaking, demonstrating the spirit of self-reliance and resilience

The adoption of the National Action Program indicated Viet Nam's high political determination to soon eliminate post-war bomb and mine risks, creating a peaceful and safe environment for the people and for socio-economic development.

On behalf of the Party and State of Viet Nam, Pham extended sincere thanks to foreign countries and international organizations for their support and assistance for Viet Nam's efforts in bomb and mine clearance.

He requested that the pace of addressing the consequences of unexploded ordnances be accelerated, successfully achieving the goal of clearing all land contaminated with unexploded ordnances to a depth of 0.5 meters by 2045 on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the nation (5 years earlier than the initial target). The Prime Minister emphasized that this task should be done as soon as possible to ensure stable and sustainable development and peace of mind for the people.

He called for promoting research and application of scientific and technological achievements linked to digital transformation, mastering mine clearance technology, making technology the "key" to proactive mine management, meeting practical requirements, and accelerating mine clearance progress.

The Prime Minister affirmed that Viet Nam would continue to be active and proactive in addressing the post-war consequences, calling on countries, international friends, ambassadors, international organizations, donors, and benevolent individuals will continue to stand alongside Viet Nam./.