(VNF) - The 14^th annual Southeast Asia Red Cross Red Crescent Leadership Meeting kicked off in Hanoi on September 21^st.

At the meeting on September 21^st. (Photo: VNA)

During the two-day event, the delegates will assess the implementation of the conclusions made in the previous meeting, which took place last September in Indonesia’s Jakarta, as well as the One Billion Coalition for Resilience programme, both globally and regionally.

Apart from the directions for operations in the time ahead, they will also discuss how to build a safe community and the agenda of the 21^st General Assembly of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the Red Cross and Red Crescent Forum, to be held in Turkey in November 2017.

In his remarks, Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son said that the meeting offers an opportunity for Red Cross Societies of the participating countries to exchange their experience and work together to materialise the targets of the ASEAN Community.

The Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies have constructively supported governments in implementing their humanitarian activities and international cooperation, he said.

The Vietnamese Government has considered opening a representative office of the International Red Cross in Vietnam, Son noted.

President of the Vietnam Red Cross Society Nguyen Thi Xuan Thu. (Source: Vietnam Red Cross Society’s Facebook page)

President of the Vietnam Red Cross Society (VRCS) Nguyen Thi Xuan Thu said that thanks to the attention of the Party, State and Government, and the support of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, national Red Cross Societies and international organisations, the VRCS has accomplished remarkable achievements, helping to raise its position and role in the region and the globe.

The meeting contributes to boosting the cooperation and friendship between the VRCS and other national Red Cross Societies in the region, while reflecting the VRCS’s international responsibility and commitment to regional and international humanitarian movements, she said.

Delegates pose for a group photo. (Source: Vietnam Red Cross Society’s Facebook page)

Within the framework of the 14^th Meeting, there will be a signing ceremony on humanitarian cooperation between Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia’s Red Cross Societies for 2017- 2022.

The agreement is expected to strengthen the traditional friendship, solidarity and effective cooperation among the Red Cross and the people of the three countries, contributing to reducing the percentage of local people living in vulnerable circumstances and the development of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

This is the third time that the three Red Cross societies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, after 2006 and 2010, with the focus on the propagation of humanitarian values, disaster preparedness and response, healthcare, disease prevention and capacity building./.

VNF