Bui Thanh Son - Minister of Foreign Affairs Vietnam has been and will continue to be a reliable friend and partner, an active and responsible member of the United Nations and the international community. Every year, landmines, explosive remnants of war, and improvised explosive devices claim nearly 10,000 casualties, mostly civilians and children in conflict areas such as Afghanistan, Libya, and Yemen, but also alarmingly in places like Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, where wars ended decades ago. It is a stark reminder that the wounds cut deep in the aftermath of wars and create long-lasting, destabilising effects to post-conflict peacebuilding and sustainable peace. It reminds us that peace cannot be sustained if the legacy of wars is not addressed. Indeed, the international community has come together to address this challenge. Actions taken by member states, the United Nations system, particularly the United Nations Mine Action Services, international organisations, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and other stakeholders have proven critical in mitigating dangers and addressing multiple challenges caused by explosive remnants of war. The Security Council, with the adoption of its landmark Resolution 2365 on mine action in 2017, has also stressed the importance of ensuring that peacekeeping operations are equipped, informed, and trained to reduce such threats. All efforts have contributed meaningfully to post-conflict reconstruction and reconciliation efforts. However, much remains to be done. The greatest challenge, as always, is a matter of political will. Regrettably, mine action has not been accorded the level and span of attention it deserves. The contaminated areas are vast and the number of victims in need of assistance is overwhelming. The resources allocated are dwarfed by the complexity and magnitude of the problem. Decades of wars in Vietnam have caused untold sorrow and left destructive, lingering effects. To this day, almost …
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