Hosting the awarding ceremony, Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga, President of VUFO said that during her 5-year tenure as Head of Office for UN Women, Elisa Fernandez and UN Women Vietnam have successfully implemented many programs and projects addressing gender quality, women's rights, social security, gender-based violence prevention and response.

With her experience, dedication and enthusiasm, Elisa Fernandez has supported Vietnamese agencies and people's organizations to empower women and girls in an effective way, making significant progress in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The “For Peace and Friendship among Nations” isignia was awarded to Head of Office for UN Women Elisa Fernandez (left) by Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga, President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) (right) (Photo: Thu Ha).

VUFO President praised Elisa for her strong support and active participation in people-to-people diplomacy activities organized by VUFO, stressing that thanks to the "Women’s Leadership dialogue series" founded by Elisa, many young Vietnamese people female can have open discussion with famous female leaders such as former President, former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, First Executive Director of UN Women and many female Ambassadors, high-ranking government’s officials.

"[Elisa] has put forward many initiatives to strengthen dialogue and coordination between governments, UN agencies, and other stakeholders on gender equality as well as to enhance Viet Nam’s participation and implementation of the Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda. Especially, she initiated the women’s Leadership dialogue series - an informal space, where leadership experience can be exchanged between women, by women and for women," said VUFO President Nguyen Phuong Nga.

Receiving VUFO's isignia, Elisa Fernandez shared her feelings of pride and admiration for her time in Vietnam.

"I am honored to received this award. During my work in Vietnam, I have learned a lot to grow professionally. I also had seen the challenges and difficulties in achieving the goal of equality,"

The foreign diplomat was impressed by VUFO's people-to-people exchange activities, especially by conflict resolution through peaceful relations, at all levels. She also highly appreciated VUFO's contribution in the process of empowering women, promoting gender equality in the diplomatic field in Vietnam.

Elisa hoped that gender equality will continue to be the core of Vietnam's prosperity and development, contributing to social and economic development. In addition, attention should be paid to environmental protection and sustainable development.

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