Vietnam’s 17 faces of action for sustainable development introduced

17 Vietnamese women who have made outstanding contributions to sustainable development are introduced at an exhibition being held at the Vietnam Women’s Museum. 

The “17 Faces of Action of Vietnam for Sustainable Development” exhibition opens on October 20, 2023. (Photo: VOV)

The exhibition named “17 Faces of Action of Vietnam for Sustainable Development” is part of the “17 Faces of Action” initiative launched by the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG) to recognize and encourage women worldwide to make further contributions to socio-economic development.

Addressing the opening ceremony in Hanoi on Friday, UNOG Director-General Tatiana Valovaya expressed her belief in Vietnam’s potential to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

“Behind these 17 faces of action there are millions of Vietnamese women who are working every day to implement sustainable development goals. And that’s the opportunity to share their success, to tell their stories to the world, and to really create a community of like-minded women working hard to implement our common agenda,” said Valovaya.

Corresponding to the 17 sustainable development goals, the exhibition introduces 17 visual stories about women from all over Vietnam representing many fields. They include scientists, teachers, business people, soldiers, public service providers, policy makers, and content creators.

Trinh Thi Hong, Founder and Director of Minh Hong Biotech company, has many initiatives to help women start businesses using production models that are responsible and friendly to the environment.

Hong told that at first nobody believed and supported me when she started a business by turning trash into something useful. I had to work very hard to overcome it.

“I want to convey a message to all women that none of us are bad, but we must promote our strongest points to achieve the goals we have set out,” said Hong.

Captain Vu Nhat Huong at the Vietnam Peacekeeping Department who used to work at the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic said she has applied what she learned at the UN peacekeeping mission to her work in Vietnam.

“I want to spread the spirit of youths and enthusiasm to other people, especially women so they will have more energy, be more confident, and contribute more to the community,” said Huong.

The exhibition is a joint effort of UNOG, Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Vietnam Women’s Union, and the Association of Swiss Women and Empowerment.