Gender Equality Issues

In response to the invitation of H.E.Ms. Annika Söder, State Secretary, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Sweden, H.E.Mr. Somsavat Lengsavad, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao P.D.R and Chairperson of the Lao National Commission for the Advancement of Women ( LaoNCAW) paid an official visit to Sweden on 8 – 12 May 2006. The Lao delegation consisted of 7 high ranking Officials including 3 Vice-Ministers from different Ministries who are responsible for gender equality issues. The Lao delegates had met with many representatives from various organizations of Sweden namely :

-          Meeting with Ms Lena Nyberg, Children’s Ombudsman,

-          Working luncheon with Ms Annika Söder, State Secretary, Ministry for Foreign Affairs,

-          Meeting with Minister for Gender Equality Mr Jens Orback, Ministry of Justice,

-          Meeting with Ms Helena Höij, Third Deputy Speaker of the Riksdag, member of The Speaker’s Network for Gender Equality,

-          Meeting with Ms Gunilla Upmark, Head of Secretariat of the Committee on the Labour Market who is in charge of Gender equality work in the Swedish Parliament,

-          Working Luncheon with Mr Per Westerberg, First Deputy Speaker of the Riksdag,

-          Meeting with Mr Lennart Gustafsson, MP Left Party, member of men’s Network Group,

-          Meeting with Mr Lars U Granberg, MP Social Democratic Party, member of men’s network group,

-          Meeting with Mr. Kent Härstedt, MP Social Democratic Party, member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Riksdag,

-          Meeting with Mr  Jörgen Schönning, Swedish Development Cooperation Agency ( SIDA ),

-          Meeting with Ms Wanja Lundby-Wedin, President of the Swedish Trade Union Confederation,

-          Meeting with Mr Hans Dahlgren, State Secretary for Foreign Affairs,

-          Meeting with Mr Claes Borgström, Equality Opportunities Ombudsman,

-          Meeting with Ms Marianne Laxen, Head of the Department for Gender Equality, Ministry of Industry,

-          Meeting with Mr Håkan Eriksson, Spokesman on Gender Equality Issues, Confederation of Swedish Enterprise,

-          Workshop with Mr Jan Nordlander Ambassador for Human Rights, Ministry for Foreign Affairs,

-          Meeting with Mr Anders Ekegren, Municipal Commissioner, and Ms Ann Fagraeus, Gender Equality Issues, Solna municipality.

During the meetings, the Lao delegation was warm welcomed by Swedish side. The meetings proceeded in a friendship atmosphere, the two sides had exchanged experiences on gender equality issues. The two sides were pleased to note that the relations between the two countries, Laos and Sweden throughout  past history marked by friendly relations, were filled with a spirit of mutual help. The two sides had also emphasized to further enhance friendly ties and cooperation between the two countries for the benefits of the two peoples, Laos and Sweden. The Head of the Lao delegation had expressed his gratitude to the Government and the Swedish people for the warm welcome extended to his high delegation and had kindly extended an invitation the Swedish side to visit and organize seminar or lecture in Laos on the same issues at an appropriate time. The SIDA, in principle, had accepted invitation and will look for convenient time to visit and hold seminar in Laos ( End).