The second regular session of the Executive Board of the UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) took place on September 9-10 at the United Nations headquarters in New York. The Board discussed and adopted UN Women’s Strategic Plan for 2026-2029.

In her opening remarks, UN Women Executive Director Sima Sami Bahous emphasized the agency’s pioneering role in promoting gender equality worldwide, while affirming that women and girls are not only in need of protection but also serve as drivers of sustainable peace.

Bahous introduced the UN Women’s Strategic Plan for 2026–2028, which centers on three priorities: strengthening the legal framework on gender equality, enhancing institutional accountability through increased resources and data, and expanding women’s leadership and access to opportunities.

She added that implementation of the plan would be aligned with the reform of the UN development system (UN80), ensuring UN Women’s role is fully enhanced while adapting effectively to global challenges and limited resources.

Addressing the session, Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, stressed that with only limited time left to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), UN Women’s Strategic Plan 2026–2028 contributes to renewing global commitments to gender equality and underlines the agency’s crucial role within the UN development system.

The ambassador highlighted that implementation of the Strategic Plan must be development-oriented, respect national ownership, and be tailored to each country’s priorities, capacities, and cultural and historical contexts, while remaining consistent with ongoing UN reform efforts.

He underscored Vietnam’s priority of narrowing the digital gap and promoting women’s leadership in the digital economy and AI governance, reaffirming the country’s commitment to working closely with UN Women, member states, and partners to ensure that no woman or girl is left behind.

On this occasion, the Vietnamese diplomat congratulated Sima Bahous on her reappointment as Executive Director and thanked UN Women for its strong support to Vietnam over the years, most recently in the development and adoption of the National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security in 2024.

Vietnam enhances awareness of gender equality and girls’ rights

Nearly 300 delegates, including educational managers, students and representatives of UN agencies, gathered at event in Vinh Long on October 12, which focused on promoting gender equality and girls’ rights in Vietnam.