Vietnam, Australia and Canada co-host ASEAN Regional Forum workshop on women, peace and security

Delegates welcomed many countries and regions, including ASEAN, for developing national and regional action programs on women, peace and security.

Delegates attending the 2nd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) on Women, Peace and Security.

On March 25, in Ho Chi Minh City, the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs coordinated with Australia and Canada to organize the second ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) workshop on women, peace and security in both in-person and online formats.

The workshop was attended by a large number of delegates from ARF participating countries, relevant United Nations agencies, international organizations, ASEAN partners as well as experts and researchers from within and outside the region.

Speaking at the opening of the workshop, Ambassador Tran Duc Binh, Director of the ASEAN Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasized the significance and importance of Resolution 1325 of the United Nations Security Council on women, peace and security adopted in 2000 and related resolutions; marking a major shift in awareness and approach to the role and contribution of women in peace and security issues; the need to ensure women's participation, as well as gender mainstreaming in all stages of the peace process.

In the context of the 25th anniversary of Resolution 1325, this is an opportunity for all ARF participating countries to review the progress made, identify difficulties and challenges, and exchange directions and measures to further promote this important agenda.

On this occasion, Ambassador Tran Duc Binh reaffirmed Vietnam's commitment and contribution to implementing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda, including the determination to effectively implement the National Action Program on Women, Peace and Security for the 2024-2030 period, as well as contribute to the implementation of regional and international action programs.

Ambassador Tran Duc Binh, Director of ASEAN Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, delivered the opening speech at the workshop.

Sharing the opinion of Ambassador Tran Duc Binh, Australian Ambassador for Gender Equality Stephanie Copus Campbell and Canadian Ambassador for Women, Peace and Security Jacqueline O'Neil both highlighted the importance of Resolution 1325 and related resolutions, acknowledged some results in implementation, but also said that the process of implementing the Agenda for Women, Peace and Security in the past has encountered many difficulties and challenges, accordingly, more than ever, countries need to continue to join hands to ensure the effective implementation of this important agenda.

During the discussion sessions, many opinions also expressed concern about the complicated developments of the world situation, especially the escalating conflicts and violence in some regions, emphasizing that women and girls - vulnerable groups - are suffering many profound impacts.

Discussing in depth the results and difficulties in implementing the Agenda for Women, Peace and Security over the past 25 years, delegates welcomed many countries and regions, including ASEAN, that have developed national and regional action programs on women, peace and security; agreed that Resolution 1325 and related resolutions of the United Nations Security Council have brought about strong changes in awareness and approaches to the role of women in peace and security issues, contributing to further enhancing the effectiveness and sustainability of peace processes.

Delegates listened to the sharing of female soldiers who directly participated in United Nations peacekeeping activities.

On this occasion, delegates also heard from female soldiers who directly participated in UN peacekeeping operations, including Captain Sa Minh Ngoc from the Ministry of National Defense's Department of Peacekeeping Operations, about the difficulties and challenges facing women's participation in these special operations.

Regarding the direction of promotion in the coming time, delegates emphasized the need to ensure effective implementation through the allocation of sufficient resources and effective inter-sectoral coordination, while also discussing the possibility of taking advantage of the development of emerging technologies to better implement the Women, Peace and Security Agenda.

Following the first ARF Workshop on Women, Peace and Security held in 2021, the organization of this workshop is within the framework of implementing the ARF Joint Statement on Promoting the Women, Peace and Security Agenda (2019), the Hanoi Plan of Action II (2020-2025) and related frameworks and processes.

The workshop is also an opportunity for Vietnam to affirm its determination and commitment to further contribute to promoting the Women, Peace and Security Agenda at the national, regional and international levels.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/viet-nam-cung-australia-va-canada-dong-to-chuc-hoi-thao-dien-dan-khu-vuc-asean-ve-phu-nu-hoa-binh-va-an-ninh-308931.html