Peace Trees Vietnam marks 25th anniversary

Peace Trees Vietnam has handled more than 123,000 explosives. (Photo: VNA)

 Peace Trees Vietnam held an online ceremony in Seattle, Washington, on October 20 to celebrate its 25th founding anniversary. 

Founded in 1995, PeaceTrees Vietnam’s mission is to heal the legacy of war by removing explosives, returning land to safe use, promoting peace and cultivating a brighter future for the children and families of Vietnam.

The organisation has handled more than 123,000 explosives, and planted over 44,000 trees so far, according to Peace Trees Vietnam founder Jerilyn Brusseau.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga, President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO), said Vietnam treasures Americans’ efforts in ending the war, helping Vietnamese people heal war wounds, and pushing ahead with the normalisation of relations between the two countries. 

Nga also highlighted results of the bilateral collaboration in economy, trade and education. 

Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) play an active role in Vietnam’s activities, she said, adding that the country has maintained relations with more than 1,200 international NGOs. 

NGOs of the US has provided financial support for Vietnam, helping the country deal with war consequences, reduce poverty, improve living standards, health care and educational quality, and cope with non-traditional challenges like climate change, Nga stressed. 

US Ambassador to Vietnam Daniel J.Kritenbrink attributed the fine bilateral ties to efforts of peoples and leaders of both countries for a long time. 

Vietnamese Ambassador to the US Ha Kim Ngoc said Vietnam and the US share many common interests such as peace, rules-based security and safety, and strategic balance. 

Delegates at the ceremony also discussed issues regarding the fight against COVID-19 and orientations for the Vietnam-US relations in the future, among others./.

VNA

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