The Global Summit of Women 2009

Santiago, Chile

May 14-16

Speech for the opening session of the

Global Summit of Women

By Her Excellency Mrs. Nguyen Thi Doan, Vice President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Madam President,

Delegates,

First of all, allow me, on behalf of the Vietnamese delegation and women, to extend my warmest greetings to all of you. I would also like to thank the Government and people of Chile for the warm hospitality and reception. I believe that with the excellent arrangements made by the host country for the 19^th Global Summit of Women and President Irene Natividad’s rich experiences, our meeting will be a great success.

Madam President,

Delegates,

One year has passed since the 18^th Global Summit of Women in Hanoi. Since then we have witnessed complex changes in the world. Moreover, the international community continued to face global challenges like conflicts, uncertainties, climate change, epidemics, energy crisis and most recently the global financial and economic crisis. Given such context, women and girls are the most vulnerable groups. In addition, we are about to come to the deadline for the implementation of Beijing and Millennium Declarations on Gender Equality. The achievements are undeniable. However, women’s status improvement and gender equality remain not-an-easy target to be met for many countries.

Therefore, we welcome this year’s theme “Setting A New Paradigm for Business and Political Leadership”. This will help women to participate fully and effectively in the socio-economic life of each country and in addressing global issues. This is in the interest of women’s rights and of the whole society. I am confident that our Summit will produce substantive orientations towards this end.

Madam President,

Delegates,

In the history of national construction and defence, Vietnamese women have made enormous contributions. Many of them, who were courageous heroines during the wars, have become brilliant examples for future generations. In the current national construction and development, many new outstanding faces have emerged in all areas. Women are now exemplary at work and outstanding at home. These women have made quite remarkable contribution to the prosperity of the country. The Vietnamese women have had made active contribution to prevent inflation, maintain macro-economic stability in order to respond to the impacts and consequences of the global financial crisis.

Delegates,

The State of Vietnam is committed to acting for women’s advancement and gender equality, regarding it as an important condition for equal and sustainable development. This viewpoint is showed in the Constitution of Vietnam, legal documents and many plans at national level. Apart from establishing legal framework, Vietnam focuses on building mechanisms to manage, monitor and assess the implementation of human rights for women. Our national apparatus for women’s advancement includes the National Committee for the Advancement of Women, the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, the Vietnam’s Women Union and other State agencies, socio-political organizations and associations all over the country.

The Vietnamese women’s effort and the State’s support for women have brought about encouraging outcomes. According to the report of World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, “With one of the highest rates of economic participation of women in the world, Vietnam is one of the more advanced countries with respect to gender equality…In the East Asia and Pacific region, Vietnam stands out for its success in closing gender gaps in the last 20 years.”

Madam President,

Delegates,

From our own experience and in the international context today, we would like to share with you some following opinions and recommendations.

First, it is necessary to raise the awareness of leaders and people on gender equality, and put forward concrete policies and measures to achieve the objectives of women advancement. During the implementation of such policies, we should intensify cooperation between relevant agencies for the advancement of women and involve people from all walks of life.

Second, we are now facing so many global issues that leaders of one single country cannot resolve. At the same time, given the globalization, the interdependence between countries and other social entities in different countries has increased. Therefore, politicians, economists and entrepreneurs, including women leaders, need to work closer together with a new approach of more activeness and preventiveness.

Third, in the current context, women of all nations, need to unite and to support each other more than ever before. Particularly, women of prosperous nations need to support and assist women of less developed countries at international and regional forums as well as through specific projects.

Fourth, as a forum of women, our Summit should provide advice for international organisations, including the UN, on the issues of gender equality and the enhancement of women’s role in society. We are of the view that the Global Women Summit should play a more active role in international forums on this issue and should make concrete proposals on possible directions and measures.

I believe that such issues will also be high on the agenda in next discussions and that many initiatives will be raised.

May I wish our summit a great success.

I wish all women leaders, distinguished guests and you all the best of health and success./.