Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính visited units that analyse DNA samples of the remains of martyrs in July, 2022. — VNA Photo Dương Giang

AMSTERDAM — The Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP), and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) recently organised a scientific workshop in The Hague, Holland, to launch cooperation in identifying war remains.

During a working visit by VAST Vice President Chu Hoàng Hà from February 13-17, the event was part of a cooperation programme signed between the ICMP and VAST in October 2022 to help Việt Nam apply new technology to determine the identity of fallen soldiers by means of DNA.

Speaking at the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to the Netherlands Phạm Việt Anh thanked scientists, political activists, USAID and the ICMP for promoting cooperation with Vietnamese scientists and helping families of fallen soldiers identify remains.

ICMP Director General Kathryne Bomberger, international scientists and USAID also expressed their interest in boosting stronger collaboration, contributing to easing the pain of war in Việt Nam and other places.

The ICMP was founded in 1996 under the initiative of former US President Bill Clinton with a view to supporting the search and identification of missing persons due to war, violence, natural disasters, organised crime, among others.

Headquartered in The Hague, its leadership comprises prominent figures such as the Queen of Norway, and former Prime Ministers and Foreign Ministers of various countries. Its current Chairman of the Board of Commissioners is former US Ambassador Thomas Muller.

In December 2022, it admitted Nguyễn Thị Thu Thảo, the first Vietnamese member, to its Board of Commissioners.

It is calling on countries to share data to help make the identification process easier. —VNS