On July 25th , 2024 Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations of Thua Thien Hue Province officially signed a Cooperation agreement with PeaceTrees Vietnam (PTVN). PTVN is a US non-governmental organization founded in 1995, its headquarter is in Seattle, Washington, USA. It operates in Central Vietnam since 1996 to support communities and people severely affected by the consequences of war through humanitarian Mine Action.
Scene of the reception and working session with PTVN organization at the People’s Committee of Thua Thien Hue province
The signing ceremony took place with the presence of Mr. Phan Quy Phuong, Vice President of the Provincial People’s Committee, representatives of departments and agencies, and the PeaceTrees Vietnam’s delegation, including Ms. Claire Yunker – Executive Director, Ms. Jerilyn Brusseau – Founder of the organization, Ms. Pham Thi Hoang Ha – Country Director and members of the PTVN delegation in Vietnam, as well as the presence of Mr. Huynh Tien Dat, President of Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations of Thua Thien Hue Province. This cooperation agreement marks an important step toward the cooperation between the two organizations in the upcoming period 2024-2029, with the main goal of ensuring safety and sustainable development for Thua Thien Hue province.
The cooperation agreement between PeaceTrees Vietnam and Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations of Thua Thien Hue Province includes many important activities. Both sides will implement a project to clear mines and unexploded ordnance in Thua Thien Hue province to ensure the safety of local people, help them live and cultivate in peace, also support socio-economic development programs. This is an important part of the effort to reduce the risk of mines and bombs left over from the war.
The signing ceremony on cooperation agreement between HueFO and PeaceTrees Vietnam
Additionally, the agreement also includes educational activities to raise awareness and prevent bomb/mine accidents for people, especially children. This not only helps people know how to protect themselves but also contributes to creating a safer living environment. Also, both sides also have plans to directly support and award scholarships to victims of bomb/mine accidents and their children, helping them overcome difficulties and have better development opportunities.
The cooperation agreement also aims to implement projects to support socio-economic development after the bomb/mine clearance work is completed. These projects aim to rebuild the community and facilitate sustainable development. Besides, the people-to-people diplomacy program will arrange delegations of guests and sponsors to visit project’s activities, explore and learn about the culture, and interact with people in the province to strengthen cooperation and mobilize funding.
This cooperation agreement has been thoroughly discussed by both sides and sent for comments from the Foreign Affairs Department and the Provincial Military Command as well as the final approval of the Thua Thien Hue Provincial People’s Committee. This signing ceremony is not only an important milestone for the cooperation between PeaceTrees Vietnam and HueFO but also a foundation for the both sides to continue expanding and developing future cooperation activities.
The signing ceremony on cooperation agreement between PeaceTrees Vietnam and HueFo was a great success, promising to bring many practical benefits to the people and the development of the province. We believe that, with the strong cooperation and commitment of both sides, the goals and projects in the agreement will be effectively implemented, contributing to the sustainable and safe development of the community.
Minh Tâm