PHNOM PENH: National Assembly President Heng Samrin has said the presence of women in politics and social affairs not only promotes women's rights and gender equality, but also makes a significant contribution to national and global development.

Speaking at a meeting with a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President of the Vietnamese Women's Federation, Ms. Ha Thi Nga, at the National Assembly building on Tuesday, 26 July, National Assembly President Heng Samrin said that the presence of women in the field of social and political affairs is a core force and indispensable backbone in contributing to the maintenance of peace and social order, especially in promoting socioeconomic growth.

The National Assembly President also congratulated Ms. Ha Thi Nga on her re-election as President of the Vietnamese Women's Federation for the 13th mandate, 2022-2027.

Ms. Ha Thi Nga briefed the National Assembly President on the past achievements of the Vietnam Women's Federation, including the good cooperation between the Cambodian Women's Association for Peace and Development, a cooperation that just ended last year, but one which the Vietnamese side is ready to sign on to once again for the next five years.

She further stated that in Vietnam’s 499-member National Assembly, there are 151 female members, equivalent to more than 30% of the whole committee. She also requested President Heng Samrin to facilitate the cooperation between Cambodian women MPs and the Vietnamese Women's Federation in exchanging experiences in the future.

On behalf of the National Assembly of Cambodia, President Heng Samrin said he is pleased to welcome Ms. Ha Thi Nga and the visiting delegation to Cambodia, as this visit will definitely contribute to the strengthening of the traditional friendship, solidarity and cooperation between the two countries. This includes a strengthening of operations in all fields between the party, state and people of the two countries.