Empowering Female Diplomacy: Meeting Highlights from Hanoi

Significance of Female Diplomacy in Vietnam
Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Hang expressed her pride as a female diplomat, emphasizing that each diplomat’s success is deeply rooted in their cultural and historical backgrounds. She highlighted the importance of aligning national values with global goals to cultivate peace and cooperation among nations.
Furthermore, she celebrated the legacy of pioneering female diplomats, notably Madame Nguyen Thi Binh, Vietnam’s first female Foreign Minister, known for her contributions at the Paris Peace Conference. Hang acknowledged the commitment of modern female diplomats to uphold this legacy by actively contributing to Vietnam’s international relations.
Progress Towards Gender Equality
UN Resident Coordinator in Vietnam, Pauline Tamesis, praised the crucial roles played by Vietnamese women in advancing gender equality. She noted that Vietnam has made considerable strides in improving its global gender equality ranking and actively promoting the UN agenda on women’s rights.
Women constitute over 30% of the National Assembly, placing Vietnam among the leading nations in female political representation. Tamesis expressed hope for even greater representation of women in leadership positions across all sectors.
Acknowledging Contributions from Female Diplomats
Romanian Ambassador Cristina Romila, honored to be Romania’s first female ambassador to Vietnam, highlighted Vietnam’s welcoming atmosphere for women in diverse professions. She commended the resilience of the Vietnamese spirit and its encouragement of female participation.
PM Chinh’s Address on Women’s Roles
During the meeting, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh reaffirmed women’s essential role in Vietnamese culture as the backbone of families and society. He remarked on the significant contributions of women in Vietnam’s journey toward development, particularly following years of war and hardship.
PM Chinh asserted that Vietnam has become one of the top performers globally in implementing Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5, which focuses on gender equality and women’s empowerment. He further noted that women make up 16% of Vietnam’s personnel in UN peacekeeping operations.
Looking to the Future
Lastly, PM Chinh expressed hope that female diplomats would continue to play pivotal roles in promoting peace and international cooperation. He encouraged them to contribute to global goals, ensuring a future centered on inclusivity and collective development.
