A seminar discussing measures to boost the friendship and cooperation between Vietnamese and Cambodian women was held in HCM City on August 24.

The first-ever event, co-organised by the Vietnam Women’s Union (VWU) and the Cambodian Women’s Association for Peace and Development (CWAPD), was part of activities to mark the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Year 2012 and the 45th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties.

The seminar assessed the implementation of the 2009-2012 cooperation agreement between the VWU and the CWAPD and put forth measures to foster their future cooperation, especially discussing the contents of a cooperation agreement for the 2012-2015 period

In the 2009-2012 period, the two associations’ bilateral cooperation has recorded positive results with the regular exchange of information through different channels.

Cooperation between women’s unions of the two countries’ provinces and cities, particularly bordering localities, has been strengthened in both quantity and quality, contributing to reducing poverty and preventing woman and child trafficking.

However, the border security situation has seen complicated development with continued cross-border goods smuggling, gambling and woman and child trafficking, hindering the two countries’ women and people from maintaining border security and order.

According to VWU Central Committee President Nguyen Thi Thanh Hoa, the 2012-2017 cooperation agreement between the two organisations will be signed later this year.