First meeting of Partnership Group of UXO consequence settlement

An overview of the meeting

Addressing the meeting, Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen The Phuong said that UXO accidents have killed a lot of people, including women and children, and injured thousands of laborers, seriously affecting the life and safety of the people. Understanding that fact, the Government of Vietnam has formed the National Action Program on UXO Consequence Settlement in the period of 2010 – 2025 (Program 504) in order to minimize and head for the complete settlement of UXO consequences in Vietnam. The implementation of Program 504 over the past time has contributed actively to socio-economic development, assistance to UXO victims, dissemination of UXO information to raise people's awareness of UXO accident prevention, ensuring safety for the people while enhancing capabilities for institutions and personnel, developing scientific research and technologies for UXO clearance activities. International cooperation in UXO consequence mitigation has been enhanced and expanded.

Apart from achievements, Vietnam is well aware of challenges and difficulties posed to UXO consequence mitigation activities. Therefore, there should be the synergy of the whole political system mobilized both overseas and at home, especially from international development cooperation partners, to reach the goals outlined in Program 504. In order to provide favorable conditions for the work, the Government has assigned the Ministry of Planning and Investment to forming the Mine Action Partnership Group (MAPG), meeting the requirements of international integration and new trends of cooperation and development. MAPG is an open forum for concerning parties to exchange information and update each other of UXO situation, build trust and mutual understanding, and enhance transparency and accountability to attract and use domestic and international resources effectively, contributing to the efforts of the Government of Vietnam in successfully implementing Program 504.

When carrying out its activities, MAPG mobilizes the participation of ministries, sectors, localities and socio-political organizations, the private sector, international partners interested in post-war UXO consequence settlement. The activities of MAPG constitute one of the processes of the Vietnam Development Forum (VDF) and serve to connect with activities of other forums and partner groups.

At the meeting, Deputy Director of the Foreign Economic Relations Department under the Ministry of Planning and Investment Cao Manh Cuong introduced more information about MAPG including the basis for its formation, missions, organizational structure and operation regulation and budget. Participants at the meeting listened to and discussed the information in the Report on the results of the implementation of activities in 2016 and plan for operation in 2017 of the Permanent Committee of Program 504. On the basis of the discussion at the meeting, the Committee is to complete the agenda of MAPG for 2017 and submit it to the co-chairs of MAPG for approval before implementation.