The conference was co-chaired by Senior Colonel Vu Van Kiem, Deputy Director of the Department of Legal Affairs under Vietnam’s Ministry of National Defense, and Colonel Gema Calvino Santana, Director of the Department of Legal Affairs of the Cuban Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces.
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Senior Colonel Vu Van Kiem, Deputy Director of the Department of Legal Affairs under Vietnam’s Ministry of National Defense, at the event |
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Overview of the conference |
In his remarks, Senior Colonel Vu Van Kiem affirmed that the traditional solidarity, special friendship, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Cuba have continuously strengthened across various sectors. Notably, bilateral defense cooperation has been actively promoted, yielding significant results.
The 2024 memorandum of understanding on military and defense legal cooperation provides a framework for bilateral engagement in this field. While relatively new, this partnership reflects the commitment of both nations and their militaries to building law-governed states and regular, elite armed forces.
Senior Colonel Vu Van Kiem noted that Vietnam remains heavily affected by post-war UXO contamination. Despite various policies and practical measures implemented by the Party, State, and military, UXO continues to cause serious consequences.
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Colonel Ángel Luis Cruz García (right), Military, Naval and Air Attaché of Cuba to Vietnam, attends the conference in Hanoi. |
Vietnam’s Ministry of National Defense is currently drafting an ordinance on post-war UXO remediation, as assigned by the National Assembly Standing Committee. This legal framework is expected to significantly enhance the effectiveness of remediation efforts nationwide.
Commending Vietnam’s progress, Colonel Gema Calvino Santana noted that after fifty years, the country has evolved from a war-torn nation into one achieving remarkable economic growth and social equity. She expressed confidence that the conference would strengthen bilateral cooperation, particularly in sharing expertise on building legal frameworks for UXO remediation. During the event, the Cuban delegation shared its own regulations on mine clearance and its experience in international post-war remediation missions.
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Vietnamese delegates at the conference |
Speaking at the event, Senior Colonel Nguyen Ngoc Thuy, Head of the Foreign Relations Division at the Vietnam National Mine Action Center, emphasized that finalizing the legal framework for UXO remediation is vital for improving management and mobilizing national resources.
Vietnam currently has 43 legal documents regarding UXO activities. Following government directives, the Ministry of National Defense will advise on drafting the ordinance, scheduled for promulgation in 2026.
This exchange provided both Vietnam and Cuba with valuable insights into legal frameworks for post-war UXO contamination. Cuba’s shared experiences are expected to support Vietnam’s research and development of its forthcoming ordinance.
Translated by Trung Thanh