Consultation workshop on a legal framework for countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction for Vietnam
Unofficial translation from the Vietnamese original.
On 29–30 August 2022, in Ha Long, the Standing Office of Vietnam’s National Focal Point (Standing Office 81) – Chemical Corps, in coordination with the Export Control and Related Border Security Program of the US Department of State (EXBS Program), organised the workshop “Consultation on a legal framework for countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction for Vietnam”.
As a country that actively and proactively participates in international integration in a comprehensive and in-depth manner, with a consistent position in support of the non-proliferation and disarmament of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), Vietnam has ratified most of the international treaties related to countering the proliferation of WMD and has progressively improved its legal system by incorporating them into domestic law, so as to complete its national legal framework and meet the international standards to which Vietnam is committed, for example through the Law on Atomic Energy 2008, the Law on Chemicals 2007, the Law on Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases 2007, the Customs Law 2014 and Decree No. 81/2019/ND-CP on countering the proliferation of WMD. Vietnam attaches particular importance to international cooperation activities that support Vietnam in improving its national legal system and building the capacity of the forces responsible for managing and implementing the task of countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
Delegates attending the workshop
Building on the success of previous cooperation events, on 29–30 August 2022 the Standing Office of Vietnam’s National Focal Point (Standing Office 81) – Chemical Corps, in coordination with the Export Control and Related Border Security Program of the US Department of State (EXBS Program), organised the workshop “Consultation on a legal framework for countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction for Vietnam”. The workshop was attended by more than 20 delegates from 10 ministries, sectors and agencies within and outside the Ministry of National Defence, and was co-chaired by Senior Colonel Nguyen Dinh Hien, Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of the Chemical Corps and Deputy Head of Standing Office 81, and Dr Dawn, Regional Advisor of the EXBS Program.
Senior Colonel Nguyen Dinh Hien delivers the opening remarks at the workshop
At the workshop, the experts made presentations, provided in-depth analysis and shared experience on the following topics: (1) recognition of the results achieved in developing and improving Vietnam’s legal provisions on countering the proliferation of WMD; (2) a comparison of models of laws on countering WMD in a number of countries around the world, such as South Africa, India and Australia, with an analysis of the roadmap and lessons learned in drafting a law on countering the proliferation of WMD; (3) discussion and assessment of the impact of the enactment of such a law on trade and other social activities.
Following the workshop, Standing Office 81 will continue to work with domestic and international experts and consult the relevant ministries and sectors in order to advise the competent authorities on an appropriate roadmap for developing and completing the legal framework for countering the proliferation of WMD in Vietnam.
Centre 81 - Van Vuong