Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) hosted a reception in Hanoi on the 27 October 2022 to celebrate 15 years working in Vietnam. NPA was honoured to have many representatives from Vietnam national authorities, several provincial authorities, the embassies of the United States of America and Norway, International Organizations, foreign and local Non-governmental Organizations, partners, friends, and the press, all attending the event. Mr. Per Håkon Breivik, the Director of Norwegian People's Aid - Mine Action and Disarmament and other NPA global staff, who were in Hanoi during the week for a global capacity development workshop, also was able to join in this celebration.

Following a short welcome brief by Mr. Jan Erik Støa, NPA Vietnam Country Director, on history and achievements of NPA Vietnam since 2007, Mr. Breivik, highlighted the many success of NPA Vietnam and express thanks to the authorities of Vietnam, the governments of Norway and the United States of America, and all stakeholders for the great support and partnership. This was followed by the NPA Vietnam Country Director’s presentation on NPA recommendations for future of Mine Action in Vietnam towards 2045. This document is intended to provide advice to authorities and donors, to enable a Vietnam free from the impact of explosive ordnance, and recommendations are based on 15 years of NPA’s experiences and expertise in implementing mine action activities in Vietnam.

“I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate NPA for your dedication and success over the past 15 years. In recognition of NPA’s efforts and contribution to Vietnam, President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) has decided to award NPA the Certificate of Appreciation for significant contribution for the mine action and sustainable development in Vietnam”, said Mr. Phan Anh Son, Vice Chairman of the Committee for Foreign Non-Governmental Organization Affairs, Vice President - Secretary General of the VUFO, member of Steering Committee 701 during the reception.

Congratulating NPA on the 15th anniversary, Mr. Nguyen Van Nghiep, Deputy Director General of Vietnam National Mine Action Centre Trung tâm Hành động bom mìn quốc gia Việt Nam - VNMAC said, “NPA has proved its outstanding capacity and prestige in mine action to all international and national stakeholders. The achievements NPA has managed over the past 15 years, greatly contributes to the Vietnam’s efforts in addressing legacies of the wars. These contributions are not only quantifiable through more than 600km2 surveyed and 21km2 cleared, or over 135,000 cluster munitions and EO found and safely destroyed, or more than 17,000 EOD spot tasks, or number of beneficiaries from risk educations or receiving assistances, but also through the capacity development provided to Vietnam national personnel who conduct mine action in Vietnam”.

On behalf of Quang Tri province, Mr. Hoang Nam, Deputy Chairman of Province People’s Committee praised NPA for the great partnership and support since 2007, to design the provincial mine action plan, and for contributing to the successful and efficient establishment of Quang Tri mine action model, for the objective of a safe and impact free Quang Tri province by 2025.

Giving comments from the governments of the Norway and the United States of America as key donors to the work of NPA in Vietnam, Mrs. Hilde Solbakken, the Ambassador of Norwegian Embassy in Hanoi and Mrs. Amy Patel, Political Counsellor from the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi highly appreciated all of NPA achievements and both expressed commitments to continue support for NPA, as well as Vietnam people to address the country contamination of explosive ordnance.

NPA Vietnam would like to thank the governments of Vietnam, Norway and the United States of America and all other partners, friends and staff for supporting our work in Vietnam and for making our NPA celebration of these first 15 years in Vietnam memorable./.