A ceremony to mark the Viet Nam - Laos Solidarity and Friendship Year 2022 took place in Da Nang on Saturday.

President of the Viet Nam Women's Union Ha Thi Nga delivering a speech at the ceremony. Photo: XUAN DUNG

In attendance at the event were President of the Viet Nam Women’s Union Ha Thi Nga and her Lao counterpart Inlavan Keobounphan, plus Da Nang People’s Committee Vice Chairwoman Ngo Thi Kim Yen.

In her speech delivered at the Saturday ceremony, President of the Viet Nam Women’s Union Ha Thi Nga affirmed that the celebration aimed to strengthen the cooperation relationship between the Women's Unions of Viet Nam and Laos, thereby contributing to deepening the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

She partly attributed the remarkable achievements of Viet Nam and Laos in recent years, especially in the context of the complicated developments of COVID-19, to great efforts and mutual support made by both Vietnamese and Lao women.

President Nga informed that in the 2022-2027 term, her organisation and its chapters at all levels would stepping up the implementation of such emulation movements as ‘Building image of Vietnamese women in a new era’, and ‘Building a family of 5 No’s, 3 Clean’s’.

Also, the association's operation methods will be renewed in the coming time with a focus on boosting the information technology application and building a strong association.

Besides, chapters of the Viet Nam Women’s Union at grassroots level will pay special attention to supporting women to develop comprehensively and build a prosperous, happy, and civilised family, building the strong Party and political systems, promoting gender equality, and building a strong, professional and effective organisation.

Ms. Nga emphasised that during the 2022 - 2027 period, the Women's Unions of the two countries were determined to improve the effectiveness of friendship and cooperation with practical and meaningful activities, aimed at contributing to preserving and cultivating the special friendship, solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Viet Nam and Laos.

“In the current context of non-traditional security challenges, especially the impact of COVID-19, the Women's Unions of the two countries are required to make more efforts to support Vietnamese and Lao women to respond to sustainable recovery and international integration programmes. The purpose is to realise gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, and their 2030 agenda for sustainable development" said Ms. Nga.

President of the Lao Women’s Union Inlavan Keobounphan speaking at the event.

In her remarks at the ceremony, President of the Lao Women’s Union Inlavan Keobounphan highly lauded the comprehensive achievements that Vietnamese people have achieved over recent years, especially the strongly developed industrial production. She pointed out that the achievements were partly attributed to great contribution made by Vietnamese women.

The Lao visitor said that her organisation will actively educate its members about the tradition of special friendship and comprehensive cooperation between two Women's Unions.

Also at the event, authorised by the Vietnamese State President, leaders of the Viet Nam Women's Union awarded the Third-class Independence Medals to three Presidents of the Lao Women's Union, as well as the Third-class Labour Medal to the Division of Planning and International Cooperation under the Lao Women's Union.

Additionally, friendship medals were presented to 15 chapters of the Lao Women's Union, and to 4 officials of the Division and one official of the Lao Women's Union.

On the occasion, the Women's Unions of Viet Nam and Laos signed a cooperation agreement for the 2022-2027 period.

President of the Viet Nam Women's Union Ha Thi Nga (left) presenting the Third Class Independence Medals from the Vietnamese government to a leaders of the Lao Women's Union. Photo: HUYNH TRANG

Representatives of the Women's Unions of Viet Nam and Laos signing a cooperation agreement for the 2022-2027 period. Photo: HUYNH TRANG

Reporting by XUAN DUNG, HUYNH TRANG - Translating by M.DUNG