Madam Ngo Phuong Ly and UNESCO Director General attend the photo exhibition "We can"

*Madam Ngo Phuong Ly (3rd from right), UNESCO Director General Audrey Azoulay (2nd from left), President of Vietnam Women's Union Nguyen Thi Tuyen (2nd from right) and delegates enjoying tea*

On the afternoon of June 27, 2025, Ms. Ngo Phuong Ly - Wife of General Secretary To Lam and Ms. Audrey Azoulay - Director General of UNESCO - attended the photo exhibition "We Can" at the Vietnam Women's Museum.

Attending the program were: Member of the Party Central Committee, President of the Vietnam Women's Union Nguyen Thi Tuyen; Secretary General of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO Le Thi Hong Van; Vice President of the Vietnam Women's Union Tran Lan Phuong; representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Education and Training, along with a number of students and teachers of Cao Bang province.

*Ms. Ngo Phuong Ly - Wife of General Secretary To Lam (2nd from right) and Ms. Audrey Azoulay - Director General of UNESCO (3rd from left) at the exhibition*

At the Vietnam Women's Museum, Madam Ngo Phuong Ly and General Director Audrey Azoulay visited the exhibition area with the theme "Women in the Family"; and also visited the photo exhibition area in the project "We Can" of ethnic minority students.

With the aim of promoting gender equality and education for girls in ethnic minority areas, the project creates conditions for them to overcome prejudice, confidently speak up and act for their dreams. The project also aims to increase access to education and retention, creating better employment opportunities for ethnic minority girls and women.

At the Exhibition, Madam Ngo Phuong Ly expressed her impression with the project name “We CAN”. Madam Ngo Phuong Ly affirmed that it is this simplicity and sincerity that makes the project name an emotional message, reflecting the true spirit of the journey that UNESCO, the Ministry of Education and Training and the community are striving to build – for a more inclusive, equitable and humane future for women and girls.

The wife of General Secretary To Lam affirmed that Vietnam always considers gender equality a strategic priority, with many practical programs being implemented such as expanding learning opportunities in disadvantaged areas, promoting STEM education for girls and increasing women's participation in all areas of social life.

Speaking at the program, Party Central Committee member and President of the Vietnam Women's Union Nguyen Thi Tuyen highly appreciated the leading role and great contributions of the UNESCO Director-General in promoting cultural values, education and gender equality globally.

*Member of the Party Central Committee, President of the Vietnam Women's Union Nguyen Thi Tuyen speaks*

The President of the Vietnam Women's Union also expressed her deep gratitude to the wife of General Secretary To Lam for always paying special attention to children and activities for the advancement of Vietnamese women, including valuable companionship with the Vietnam Women's Union in cultural events imbued with national identity.

The Vietnam Women's Union has always been a pioneer in protecting the legitimate rights and interests of women and children; promoting gender equality and accompanying the sustainable development of the country; always looking towards the disadvantaged, implementing the "Godmother" movement for thousands of children in difficult circumstances; accompanying women in the start-up movement, economic development, building prosperous, equal and happy families.

*Mr. Jonathan Baker, Chief Representative of UNESCO Office in Hanoi, speaking*

Acknowledging the contributions of the Vietnam Women's Union in promoting gender equality, Mr. Jonathan Baker, Chief Representative of the UNESCO Office in Hanoi, expressed his honor to be invited to the Vietnam Women's Museum with the wife of General Secretary To Lam, President of the Vietnam Women's Union and leaders of ministries and sectors, and affirmed that UNESCO considers gender equality an essential factor for sustainable development and long-term peace, and is proud of its long-term partnership with Vietnam in promoting gender equality in education, science, culture and communication.

At the event, Madam Ngo Phuong Ly and UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay enjoyed tea and discussed issues related to promoting gender equality for girls, especially encouraging girls to participate in science and technology. Madam Ngo Phuong Ly hopes that in the future, UNESCO will continue to have many projects accompanying the Vietnam Women's Union as well as other agencies to promote gender equality and empower women and girls.

* Some pictures at the program: