Vietnam Stands Firm on Humanitarian Demining Support

The meeting was attended by ambassadors and representatives of delegations from Finland, France, Germany, Iraq, Italy, and Japan, as well as international organizations in Geneva that are members of the GICHD, including the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS), and the European Union (EU).

The bomb-clearing team safely handled the explosive discovered in Quang Tri province, which weighed around 227kg, had a diameter of 274mm, and was 1.54m in length. (Photo: VNA)

At the meeting, GICHD members exchanged and reviewed the recent operational situation, passed reports on the financial status and contributions of sponsors, and established important orientations for actions of the GICHD in the coming time.

The Council agreed to elect Ambassador Mai Phan Dung, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, the World Trade Organization (WTO), and other international organizations in Geneva, to the Council.

Speaking at the meeting, Ambassador Mai Phan Dung stated that becoming a member of the Council demonstrates the Chairman and members' confidence in Vietnam's bomb and mine risk reduction efforts.

In addition, the Vietnamese Ambassador affirmed that he would make efforts to actively contribute to the GICHD Council's joint work and promote close and effective cooperation between the GICHD and Vietnamese authorities in the coming time, particularly for ongoing projects, while also looking for cooperation opportunities in the field of landmine recovery and clearance left over from the war in Vietnam.

The GICHD is a Geneva-based non-profit organization that was established in 1998. The center operates thanks to project funding contributions and in-kind support from governments and organizations. GICHD’s goal is to be a center for research, training, and support for the international community's efforts to reduce the risk of landmines and explosives left after wars through coordination with the UN and other countries, intergovernmental international organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and research institutes.

The GICHD's Executive Council is in charge of electing leadership positions, making budget and finance decisions, and setting the organization's operational orientation. The Council now has 23 members who are ambassadors, permanent representatives to Geneva from various nations including Vietnam, and leaders of international organizations.

Mechanical demining systems optimized to be cost-effective Mechanical demining systems can greatly increase the effectiveness and efficiency of mine/ERW clearance operations.

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