HÀ NỘI — Red Cross Society leaders from 11 ASEAN member nations discussed humanitarian co-operation mechanisms and exchanged experiences at a meeting held yesterday in Hà Nội.

They met at the opening ceremony of the 14th Annual South East Asia Red Cross and Red Crescent Leadership Meeting, where Việt Nam Red Cross President Nguyễn Thị Xuân Thu praised the important contribution of national Red Cross societies in building solidarity and promoting peace and prosperity among the ASEAN community, especially in improving people’s lives and implementing social security policies.

“By consulting with the government on humanitarian activities, National Red Cross and Red Crescent societies have helped vulnerable people across communities,” said Thu.

Thu said during the two-day event the delegates would focus discussions on expanding cooperation in the ASEAN region and on collaboration with the ASEAN Secretariat Board in multiple areas such as disaster and climate change, urban development, healthcare, Red Cross youth development and gender and immigration.

Speaking at the ceremony, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC) Regional Director for Asia Pacific, Xavier Castellanos, highlighted the successful efforts of national Red Cross societies in sexual and gender-based violence research, disaster law mapping, strengthening collaborative work and learning through regional networks and the work of the Community Resilience and Safety Forum.

“As we discuss these important agenda items, we will have the chance to listen to you and your guidance on the number of challenges our region faces; from climate change and recurring extreme weather-related disasters, to the challenges of people on the move, whether out of desperation and fear or those looking for better opportunities,” said Castellanos.

Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Bùi Thanh Sơn said that the conference was important.

It was a good opportunity for Red Cross societies of different countries to meet and connect different countries’ targets with the common targets of ASEAN. Red Cross and Red Crescent societies of the 11 countries supported each nation’s government in charity work and international co-operation in charity, said Sơn.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs would always work with the Việt Nam Red Cross Society in their work, he said.

The Southeast Asia Red Cross Red Crescent Leadership Meeting is held annually in turns in 11 Southeast Asian countries including Việt Nam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore and Brunei. — VNS