Workshop on the National Action Plan (NAP) on Women, Peace, and Security in Viet Nam

• Mr. Do Hung Viet, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Chairperson of the National Drafting Committee for the National Action Plan on Women Peace and Security
• Ambassadors, Distinguished guests, partners, and friends,

Good morning;

It is an honor to join you today to support and advance the development of Vietnam's National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security (NAP WPS).

I extend my heartfelt appreciation to the government of Vietnam for their unwavering commitment to this critical agenda, and for bringing us together for the next two days to contribute insights, ideas and recommendations for the development of this plan.

Back in 2020, many of us here would recall the historic moment when the Hanoi Commitments to Action for Women Peace and Security was issued with the endorsement of more than 70 countries. Although I was not yet in Viet Nam at that time, I recognize the significance of the  International Conference “Strengthening Women’s Role in Building and Sustaining Peace: From Commitments to Results” hosted by the Government of Viet Nam in collaboration with the United Nations in Ha Noi, Viet Nam on 7 - 9 December, 2020. This event also  commemorated the 20th anniversary of the landmark UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and the establishment of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda.

Three years have passed from that historical date, and today we gather again, to put our heads together for a SMART action plan on Women, Peace and Security. A plan that is SPECIFIC, MEASURABLE, ATTAINABLE, RESULT ORIENTED and TIME BOUND. This journey has demonstrated government’s commitment to implement the Hanoi Commitment to Action. The WPS NAP fulfills one of the Hanoi Commitments to Action, which is to “recognize the key role of Vietnamese women in achieving sustainable peace and development, whether as peacemakers, peacekeepers, peacebuilders, or as responders to crises, and commit to the promotion of gender equality, the empowerment of women and girls, and the realization of their human rights as an integral part of efforts to maintain international peace.”

National Action Plans for Women Peace and Security have helped 107 Member States to move towards a more inclusive, equal, and secure world for women and girls. In his opening remarks at the SECURITY COUNCIL ANNUAL OPEN DEBATE – WOMEN, PEACE AND SECURITY on 25 October 2023, the UN Secretary General conveyed four messages to member states. Let me share these with you:

1. Ensure women are in the room
2. Put money on the table to fund gender equality
3. Ensure concrete measures to secure women’s full, equal and meaningful participation at all levels of decision-making on peace and security, and all levels of political and civil life.
4. He urged Member States to carefully consider the policy brief for A New Agenda for Peace that puts women’s leadership and participation at the centre of decision-making.

I congratulate Vietnam for taking this bold step forward. The four key objectives of Vietnam’s NAP –

• enhancing women's participation,
• preventing violence in times of crisis,
• strengthening gender integration, and
• promoting Vietnam's role on the global stage –

reflect a holistic approach to address the unique challenges for women in conflict and disaster situations, and also the unique strengths and contributions they bring to such situations.

I thank the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their coordination of this important process. There are over 230 participants from various backgrounds - international agencies, UN agencies, civil society organizations, academia, and local government representatives. This diverse gathering reflects the UN’s call for a whole of government and whole of society approach needed to make sustainable development a reality. Gender equality and security are critical goals and enablers of the SDGs.

On this journey, let us remember that we are not just shaping a document, but we are shaping the future of women and girls in Vietnam and the peace and security of this nation. At the UN, we are proud to be a part of this journey. Our commitment to gender equality, women's rights, and the Women, Peace, and Security agenda is unwavering. We commit to sustained support, recognizing that the success of this NAP will have far-reaching implications, not just for Vietnam but for the region and the world.

Thank you for your presence and engagement. I wish us all a productive workshop.

Xin CAM ON!