Vietnamese, Lao, Cambodian women foster ties

The event was meant to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Vietnam-Laos Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, the 55th anniversary of the Vietnam-Laos diplomatic ties and the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Cambodia diplomatic ties. 

Speaking at the event, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh said throughout the history, the three countries’ women unions have stayed side by side to fight for the sake of national independence, gender equality and development. 

Hailing the theme of the event, Minh affirmed that in regional and global commitments, attention has been paid to women issues while gender equality is considered both goal and prerequisite for sustainable development. 

He expressed his belief that the three women’s unions will continue coordination and propose measures in response to common challenges at present. At the same time, he urged them to renew approaches and take stronger actions to nurture the three countries’ friendship and prosperity, thus laying foundation for an ASEAN Community of peace, stability and sustainable and inclusive development. 

Chairwoman of the Vietnam Women’s Union Nguyen Thi Thu Ha said following the signed cooperation agreements, the three women’s unions have contributed to people-to-people diplomacy and effectively collaborated in poverty reduction, rural development, vocational training and job creation for women, health care for women and girls, tourism and border issues. 

Inlavan Keobunphanh, Chairwoman of the Lao Women’s Union, emphasised the need to boost cooperation between the Lao, Vietnamese and Cambodian women’s unions for sustainable development. 

Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and President of the Cambodian Women for Peace and Development Men Sam An believed that the three women’s unions would contribute to peace and socio-economic development in the three countries and the region as well. 

Participants shared experience in improving women empowerment, particularly in economic and political fields, preventing women and child trafficking, promoting tourism and international cooperation, and educating young generations about the development of traditional friendship and collaboration among women in the three countries. 

They suggested building legal regulations on gender equality and women empowerment, accelerating the delivery of regional and global commitments on sustainable development, gender equality and women advancement while strengthening the operation of the three women’s unions.