Vietnam begins term as UN Women Executive Board member
Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, head of Vietnam's permanent mission to the United Nations (UN), on February 10 attended the annual session of the UN Women Executive Board as a newly elected member for the 2025-2027 term.
Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, head of Vietnam's permanent mission to the United Nations (UN), delivers a speech at the meeting. (Photo: VNA)
New York (VNA)🎃 - Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, head of Vietnam's permanent mission to the United Nations (UN), on February 10 attended the annual session of the UN Women Executive Board as a newly elected member for the 2025-2027 term.
This first session of 2025 focused on enhancing operational efficiency and shaping the 2026-2029 strategic plan. Delegates acknowledged progress in gender equality but highlighted ongoing challenges, including conflicts, humanitarian crises, violence, discrimination, climate change impacts, social injustice and resource constraints. The slow progress in achieving the 2030 Agenda was also a key concern.
Addressing the session, Ambassador Giang underscored the importance of assessing achievements, drawing lessons, and formulating timely solutions. He emphasised the need for greater female participation in science, technology, and innovation through STEM education for girls and a global framework to connect women in these fields.
The ambassador called for more efficient resource allocation for essential areas such as health and education, gender impact assessments, and transparent budgeting to drive substantive progress. He stressed targeted measures, including gender quotas, leadership training, and policies supporting work-life balance to enhance women's roles in decision-making.
Ambassador Giang also highlighted Vietnam’s efforts in gender equality, citing a high percentage of female lawmakers and scientists, as well as the country’s early adoption of a National Strategy on Gender Equality for 2020-2031. Vietnam reaffirmed its commitment to working with UN Women and fellow board members to advance gender equality and accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ensuring no one is left behind, he noted.
The UN Women Executive Board, comprising 41 member states, plays a crucial role in shaping policies and programmes to promote gender equality and empower women and girls worldwide. Vietnam was elected as a member for the 2025-2027 term and will officially assume its role on January 1, 2025./.
This marks the first time Vietnam has been appointed as a co-facilitator for preparing a major UN conference, highlighting the UNGA President’s and the international community’s acknowledgment of Vietnam’s reputation, role, and valuable contributions to global efforts, especially in pandemic prevention and control.
Experts gathered at a roundtable in Hanoi on December 6 to discuss violence against women and children in Vietnam and seek ways to create a safer environment for this vulnerable group.
In the disadvantaged commune of Ang Nua, Dien Bien province, the 'Voices for Equality' project, is helping ethnic minority women by providing financial aid and training on gender equality.
New Zealand is currently one of Vietnam’s most important partners in the region, marked by a high level of political trust, strong and reliable defence and security cooperation, and increasingly open economic, trade, and investment ties.
Party General Secretary To Lam stressed that the Central Public Security Party Committee must be fully aware of the extremely important role of the People's Public Security force in the country's new revolutionary phase, so as to guide each branch and level of the force as the nation undergoes transformation.
Addressing concerns over university education spending, Son explained that as public universities gain greater autonomy, the Ministry of Finance has scaled back recurrent state funding. “Over the past decade, as autonomy has increased, the State's support has steadily declined”, he noted
Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane affirmed that the presence of Vietnamese press offices in Laos vividly demonstrates the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations, as the press is not only a means of communication but also an important bridge for spreading consciousness about the history, values, and strategic depth of the Laos – Vietnam relationship to the people of both countries and the international community.
The country is willing to participate in collective efforts to promote cooperation and mobilise resources to advance the current priority issues of developing countries, such as trade, investment, infrastructure connectivity, making the most of scientific and technological advances for development, and people-to-people exchanges, Hang said.
During the negotiations, the US highly evaluated Vietnam’s goodwill and efforts, affirmed its appreciation for the bilateral relationship, acknowledged Vietnam’s proposals and concerns, and considered these an important basis for continuing discussions and moving towards a final agreement.
The Chairman stressed the need for stricter fiscal discipline, faster digital transformation, and more efficient management of State budget revenues and expenditures.
The ministry has instructed Vietnamese representative agencies in Israel, Iran, as well as those in neighbouring countries, to closely monitor the situation and request local authorities to ensure absolute safety for Vietnamese citizens living, studying, and working in high-risk areas.
Senior Vietnamese leaders on June 19 sent letters of congratulations to New Zealand leaders on the occasion of the 50th founding anniversary of Vietnam – New Zealand diplomatic relations (June 19, 1975 – 2025).
The Party chief attributed the achievements in the first half to the continuous, direct, and comprehensive leadership of the Politburo and the Secretariat of the Party Central Committee, and the close and effective coordination of relevant ministries, sectors and localities.
General Nguyen Tan Cuong, Chief of the VPA’s General Staff and Deputy Minister of National Defence reaffirmed Vietnam’s unwavering gratitude for Cuba’s invaluable support during its struggle for independence and nation-building efforts, and pledged to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Cuba as it navigates current challenges.
Vietnam is a country with which Russia shares a special relationship. In the 1950s and 60s, particularly during Vietnam’s struggle for independence, the two countries forged a deep bond. While much has changed over time, the friendship and cooperation between our nations have endured, said Russian President Vladimir Putin.
For 50 years, Vietnam and New Zealand have worked together to uphold peace and prosperity for their peoples and the region. The friendship, cooperation, and mutual understanding Vietnam and New Zealand nurtured have grown from a seed into a deeply rooted, strong, and thriving tree, she stressed.
Since the Strategic Partnership was established in 2020, Vietnam and New Zealand have witnessed steady growth in the relations. Beyond the remarkable 40% increase in bilateral trade over five years, political relations and multilateral interactions, particularly within the CPTPP framework, have remained highly positive.
Known as the “four pillars for Vietnam’s ascend”, the Pobiburo's Resolutions 57, 59, 66, and 68 focus on cultivating a robust national entrepreneurial spirit, unlocking resources for innovation across society, and accelerating the development of digital economy, knowledge-based economy, green economy, and circular economy, propelling Vietnam forward rapidly and firmly on the path of modernisation and international integration.
Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang cleared up deputies' concern regarding how to spur socio-economic growth, renew traditional growth motives and establish new momentum for development.
Vietnam proposed several priorities: narrowing the digital divide, strengthening women’s leadership in the digital economy and AI governance, and mobilising sustainable financing for gender equality initiatives in line with each country’s national priorities and context. Vietnam also advocated for genuine women’s participation and leadership across all areas of public life.
