Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the conference (Photo: VOV)

The meeting reviewed the national mine action program, also called Program 504, during 2010 - 2020 and set up orientations for 2021 - 2025.

Vietnam has made active moves in settling war consequences, including UXO, over the past many years, he said, noting that Program 504 is important to socio-economic development as well as the stabilisation of people’s life.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visited an exhibition on mine action (Photo: VOV)

The Prime Minister urged for stronger solutions to gain better results in overcoming consequences of bombs and mines left over from the war.

Prime Minister Chinh said: "We need to consider settlement of wartime unexploded ordnance (UXO) consequences as an urgent task which will help protect people’s lives and health, ensure safety for the people, clean the environment, and assist the sustainable development of localities affected by bomb, mines and toxic chemicals left over from the war. It’s important to comprehensively evaluate dangers of bombs and mines left over from the war in order to work out tasks in the coming time."
"We also need to fine-tune mechanisms and policies for mine action, improve capacity for the Vietnam National Mine Action Center and relevant agencies in localities, and rally support from organizations and individuals in settling wartime unexploded ordnance (UXO) consequences," added the Prime Minister.

Vietnam will push ahead with mine action and remain a trustworthy partner, an active and responsible member of the international community, PM Chinh stated, calling on other governments, ambassadors, international organizations, and sponsors to continue their support to help Vietnam get rid of UXO impacts.

He also appealed for joint efforts to prevent wars and armed conflicts so that all peoples around the world will no longer suffer.