National Assembly Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn and delegations from the Women’s Unions and female entrepreneurs of Laos and Cambodia. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — National Assembly Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn met on Thursday with delegations from the Women’s Unions and female entrepreneurs of Laos and Cambodia, who were in the city to attend the Forum on Connectivity and Exchange for Female Entrepreneurs from the three countries.

Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn praised the Women’s Unions of Laos and Cambodia for their leadership in women’s movements, protection and promotion of women’s rights, policy advisory roles and for contributions to gender equality training. He expressed pleasure at the strengthening traditional friendship among the three countries and their Women’s Unions.

The Women's Unions of Việt Nam, Laos, and Cambodia have actively engaged in exchange activities, notably signing and implementing the 2022-27 Cooperation Agreement, which addresses the aspirations of women in these countries. They have also coordinated cross-border cooperation activities to maintain peaceful, friendly and cooperative borders.

The Chairman commended the proactive initiatives of the Women's Unions in organising and participating in joint activities, such as forums and high-level delegation exchanges, including the Friendship Caravan (September 2017), the Việt Nam-Laos-Cambodia Women’s Forum (September 2022) and the current Forum on Connectivity and Exchange for Female Entrepreneurs.

He highlighted Việt Nam’s commitment to gender equality and women’s development, with the Party and State issuing numerous policies and laws in this area. He noted that in the 15th National Assembly, 30.26 per cent of deputies are women, all with university degrees or higher. Việt Nam has also seen an increase in women in senior leadership roles.

On April 9, 2024, the United Nations Economic and Social Council elected Việt Nam to the Executive Board of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women for the 2025-27 term, reflecting international recognition of Việt Nam’s gender equality achievements.

Mẫn welcomed the Việt Nam Women’s Union’s initiative in organising the Forum on Connectivity and Exchange for Female Entrepreneurs, aiming to enhance the role and connectivity of female entrepreneurs in developing a green economy. He proposed continued cooperation and exchange among the Women’s Unions of the three countries thereby strengthening traditional friendships and comprehensive solidarity among Việt Nam, Laos and Cambodia.

Lao Women's Union President Ali Vungnobountham and Deputy President of the Cambodian Women's Union for Peace and Development Chau Bun Eng thanked Chairman Mẫn for his time and expressed gratitude to the Việt Nam Women’s Union for their participation in the forum. They provided updates on their activities and affirmed their commitment to enhancing professional capacity and operational effectiveness through continued cooperation with the Việt Nam Women’s Union. — VNS