Vietnam Women’s Union co-hosts hybrid Forum on women, peace, and security

The Forum aims to further strengthen the understanding of and promote the implementation of the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Agenda. The Forum had the participation of about 200 delegates both in-person and online with a broad representation by the Diplomatic Corps, UN agencies, international organizations, Vietnam State and Party agencies, businesses, social organizations, and the VWU at the Central and provincial levels.

The Forum discussed the role of various stakeholders in the process of promoting WPS agenda in Vietnam and how to promote women’s participation and benefits in the field, specifically in the United Nations peacekeeping operations, domestic violence prevention and control, reducing the aftermaths of war, building peace culture, and formulating WPS national action plan. This event is a continuation of the success of the Forum on Women, Peace and Development (2015), the Forum "Promoting the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals from a gender equality perspective" (2021) co-organized by the UN and VWU, thereby making inputs for relevant policy development and contributing to promoting the common agenda of sustainable development, including women, peace and security.

In her opening remarks, Ms. Ha Thi Nga, VWU President affirmed that women were often among the most vulnerable in unstable environments and crisis situations. They, however, are also active agents for crisis prevention and management, and peace-making. In the current context of instability and risks, the WPS Agenda becomes even more important and urgent. As such, the role of women's organizations like the Vietnam Women's Union is ever emphasized in the peace and security process in each country and on a global scale.

UN Resident Coordinator in Viet Nam Pauline Tamesis speaks at Forum

As an organization representing the legitimate rights and interests of Vietnamese women from all walks of life, the VWU is committed to promoting the WPS Agenda. Over the years, it has implemented many practical programs and initiatives in contribution to ensuring a peaceful and safe society for the community, including women and girls.

“By having forums like this one today, I believe that the progress to discuss the development of a national action plan (NAP) for Viet Nam shall proceed more comprehensively and inclusively. I recognize that the Viet Nam Women's Union is already ahead in defining its concrete roles to ensure that the NAP, if it is to be developed soon, is participatory, transparent, and accountable,” said Pauline Tamesis, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Viet Nam.

In his remarks at the Forum, Mr. Shawn Steil, Ambassador of Canada to Viet Nam shared “Canada is inspired to have such motivated partners in Vietnam who share our commitment to the Women Peace and Security Agenda: working to ensure sustainable peace and inclusive security by empowering women to contribute every step of the way.”

At the Forum, Mr. Do Hung Viet, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs, gave an overview of Resolution 1325 of the UN Security Council, Viet Nam's commitments and the implementation of the WPS Agenda in the country.

The Forum has two thematic sessions. The first one is on women’s role in Peace and Security with the presentations of Ms. Nguyen Phuong Nga, President of Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations; Major General Hoang Kim Phung, Director of the Viet Nam Peacekeeping Department, Ministry of National Defense; Ms. Vu Thu Hong, Program Analyst – WPS, UN Women in Viet Nam; and Ms. Tran Thi Thanh Ha, Chairwoman of the Quang Tri Provincial WU. The second session is on WPS National Action Plan and roles of women’s organizations with the presentations of Ms. Shirley O. Nuevo, Consul and Second Secretary, the Philippines Embassy in Viet Nam; Mr. Thomas Wiersing, Chargé d'affaires – Deputy Ambassador of the European Union to Viet Nam; Ms. Tran Lan Phuong, Vice President of Viet Nam Women’s Union; and Ms. Ha Thi Quynh Anh, Program Specialist on Human Rights and Gender, UNFPA in Viet Nam.

Forum participants

The Forum has created an opportunity for different stakeholders to share relevant information, experiences, and cooperation initiatives on promoting women’s participation in WPS; to raise awareness, interest, and commitment to accompany among the international community, domestic agencies and organizations in this field; to discuss policy initiatives and ideas to promote the common agenda of sustainable development, including WPS.

This forum is highly significant in the context that the world is facing major security challenges, especially non-traditional security, such as epidemics, natural disasters caused by climate change, cybercrime, etc., threatening to push back the sustainability of achieved development.