Deputy Foreign Minister Do Hung Viet delivered the opening speech at the announcement ceremony of the National Action Program on Women, Peace and Security. (Source: Organizing Committee)

On this occasion, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs coordinated with the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) to organize a Workshop on Methods for Developing a Plan to Implement the National Action Program from August 8-9 to disseminate, thoroughly understand and raise awareness about women, peace and security.

The event was attended by a large number of representatives from Central Committees, Ministries and branches and delegates from almost all 63 provinces and cities of Vietnam, along with experts from the United Nations and international partners of Vietnam.

The issuance of the National Action Program on Women, Peace and Security is an important policy orientation, affirming Vietnam's determination and commitment to ensuring and further promoting the role and voice of women, especially in the field of peace and security. In order to concretize and develop action lines and roadmaps for implementing the Action Program in the coming time, the Workshop will contribute to promoting discussion and referring to international experiences on strategies and methods for developing detailed implementation plans, suitable to the requirements and conditions of each agency and locality.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Foreign Minister Do Hung Viet reiterated that “the sacrifice of 13 female youth volunteers in Truong Bon is just one of countless stories about the sacrifices and great contributions of Vietnamese women in the cause of building and protecting peace for the country”. The Deputy Minister affirmed the strong imprints of Vietnamese women in history from the period of resistance war to protect the Fatherland to the great contributions in the process of building, rebuilding and developing the country.

Continuing that historical tradition, the Deputy Minister emphasized that Vietnam always attaches importance to protecting and promoting the role of women in building and consolidating peace and security in the country. On the international level, Vietnam has always expressed an active voice in promoting the Women, Peace and Security Agenda, including chairing the adoption of Resolution 1889 of the United Nations Security Council and promoting the adoption of the Hanoi Commitment 2020 with 75 co-sponsors.

To further promote the achieved results, the Deputy Minister said that it is necessary to develop an Implementation Plan with specific lines of action, with effective monitoring and evaluation measures, sustainable resources, and the participation of the entire political system and the whole society with a vision to 2030 to realize the goals set out in the Action Program.

Vice Chairwoman of Da Nang City People's Committee Nguyen Thi Anh Thi highlighted the significance of the Workshop. (Source: Organizing Committee)

Attending and speaking at the Workshop, Vice Chairwoman of the Da Nang People's Committee Nguyen Thi Anh Thi affirmed that the Workshop is of great significance in exchanging and sharing experiences to develop a Plan and implement the National Action Program on Women, Peace and Security, contributing to connecting, orienting and coordinating efforts at the national level in promoting the role of women and girls in peace processes. The Vice Chairwoman affirmed that Da Nang has approved many relevant policy documents and affirmed that it will continue to make efforts and mobilize resources to effectively implement the Action Program and build a safe and friendly city for women and children.

Speaking in a video message to the Workshop, Ms. Sima Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women, highly appreciated Vietnam's National Action Plan as a concrete step to promote the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in the fields of politics, foreign affairs, defense and security. UN Women is ready to support the Government of Vietnam to expand partnerships, leverage international resources and ensure that no woman or girl is left behind.

Delegates attending the event. (Source: Organizing Committee)