Participants at the conference share experience on solving consequences of post-war unexploded ordnance. (Source: VNA)

The third conference of an expert working group on humanitarian mine action within the framework of the ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting- Plus (ADMM+) was held in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue on October 29.

The event, which was organised by the Institute for International Relations under the Vietnamese Ministry of Defence, drew the participation of representatives from 18 ADMM+ member countries and the ASEAN Secretariat.

Regarding unexploded ordnances (UXOs) contamination in the water environment and solutions, the conference implemented the action plan of the ADMM+ experts on humanitarian mine action and sought ways to boost cooperation and experience sharing among ADMM+ member countries in the field.

Speaking at the conference, Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh, Deputy Minister of National Defence, emphasised that like other countries in the Asia-Pacific region, Vietnam has being suffering from the severe consequences of post-war UXOs.

Although war has long been over, its aftermaths continue to affect the country’s security, civilian lives and social-economic development, especially in the central region.

The Vietnamese government approved a national programme on tackling post-war bombs, mines and unexploded ordnances, known as Programme 504, with the goal to use national and international resources to minimise the effects of UXOs on social-economic development, defence and security while ensuring safety for the people and helping victims reintegrate into society.

Participants also discussed ordnance contamination in the sea and ways to solve the problem.

The Vietnamese delegation introduced initiatives such as the construction of a regional centre for training UXO-removal skills as well as cooperation in implementing programmes, projects and studies, both bilaterally and multilaterally.

An exhibition of products, technologies and equipment used to detect and remove bombs and mines, and a demonstration of clearing UXOs beneath water are scheduled to be held onꦺ the sidelines of the conference, which will finish on October 30.-VไNA