Vietnam is still suffering the consequences of 40-year-old wartime mines and explosives left in the country, a senior military official has said.

Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh, Deputy Minister of Defense, made the statement at the third conference of the Experts’ Working Group on Humanitarian Mine Action – Field Training Exercise (FTX2016), which opened in the central city of Hue on Thursday.

The two-day event, using the theme “mines and explosive pollution in the water environment and remedial measures,” was attended by representatives from 18 member countries of the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM+) and the ASEAN Secretariat.

The function aimed to realize the working group’s plans, strengthen cooperation and share experience in humanitarian mine action among ADMM+ member countries.

Addressing the conference, Sr. Lt. Gen. Vinh stressed that Vietnam is suffering the consequences of mines and explosive remnants of war that impact security, the environment, the daily life of people, and the social and economic development of the country.

Vietnam has set up the Vietnam National Mine Action Center that is in charge of activities to make the Southeast Asian country free from post-war bombs and mines, the official said.

The center has completed a map of contamination caused by mines and explosives left over from wartime in Vietnam and will announce it in the coming weeks, he added.    

At the conference, the participants discussed mines and explosive pollution in the sea environment, shared experience in addressing the matter, and suggested initiatives for boosting cooperation in the future.

The conference included an exhibition of modern de-mining products, technology and equipment, and an underwater de-mining demonstration.

The event also consisted of school visits to educate children about the danger of mines and preventive measures, as well as other activities related to humanitarian mine action.

According to statistics, mines and explosives left over in Vietnam kill 1,500 people and injure 2,300 others per year.

Currently, over 20 percent of the country’s total land area is contaminated with leftover mines and explosives.

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