President of the Fifth Review Conference of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (APMBC), also known as the Ottawa Convention, Ly Thuch on October 9 praised Vietnam’s efforts in addressing consequences of unexploded ordnances (UXO), and the country’s achievements in cooperation with other countries and international organisations in this field.
In a meeting in New York with Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, Ly Thuch, who is also Senior Minister and Vice President of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA), expressed empathy for difficulties and challenges Vietnamese agencies are facing in clearing and cleaning areas contaminated with bombs and mines left over from wars.
He provided information on Cambodia’s efforts in this work and in supporting landmine victims, expressing his hope that Vietnam and Cambodia will continue cooperating and working together to promote their mine action in the future.
He announced that Cambodia will host the APMBC’s Fifth Review Conference from November 25 to 29 in Siem Reap, calling on Vietnam to consider sending a delegation to the event as an observer, thus contributing its voice in support of international cooperation, and sharing Vietnam’s valuable experiences and practices in this work.
The Vietnamese diplomat stated that Vietnam always stands by the side of the international community in its efforts in this work, and supports many important humanitarian aspects in related conventions, including the Ottawa Convention.
The country has also actively promoted cooperation and support among countries, particularly in terms of technical and financial assistance for mine clearance, and support for landmine victims, he added.
According to Giang, as one of the countries severely affected by the consequences of UXO left by wars, Vietnam has paid special attention to and made great efforts in mine clearance in recent years. The country has developed policies and implemented specific measures to care for and support victims.
Vietnam acknowledges and appreciates valuable assistance from many international partners in addressing the consequences in recent years, he said.
The Vietnamese diplomat highly valued Cambodia’s contributions to the international community’s efforts in promoting mine action, expressing his belief that with his extensive experience, Ly Thuch will successfully fulfill his role as President of the Ottawa Convention’s review conference.