Cambodia, Laos sign Women's Rights MoU for 2026-2030

Cambodia and Laos reaffirmed their commitment to improving women's empowerment and gender equality with the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the promotion of women's rights, protection of legal rights of women, and to foster cooperation between the two countries.

The agreement, valid for the term of 2026-2030, was signed on July 22, 2026, in a signing ceremony at the General Department of Taxation headquarters in Phnom Penh by Men Sam An, Supreme Advisor to the King and President of the Cambodian Women’s Association for Peace and Development and Aly Vongnobountham, President of the Lao Women’s Union.

The new agreement restates the existing collaboration between the two women's groups and sets the groundwork for increased collaboration for the next five years. It aims to support women's rights and gender equality, enhance legal protection for women, leadership development, community-based programs and initiatives beneficial to women in both countries.

Key Highlights:

• Cambodia and Laos sign a new 2026–2030 women's rights MoU
• Partnership expands cooperation on women's empowerment and legal protection
• Agreement strengthens bilateral ties and promotes gender equality

At the event, Men Sam An recalled the history of collaboration between the two organizations. The Cambodian Women's Association for Peace and Development and the Lao Women's Union first signed a cooperation agreement in 2014-2016, she said. Both organizations have been working together closely for the exchange and joint works closely, especially at the border provinces between Cambodia and Laos, although the renewal of the agreement has been postponed due to unexpected events including some disturbances that occurred in recent years.

The new MOU would help boost women's rights and safeguard their legitimate interests, as well as deepen friendship, solidarity, and complete cooperation between women in Cambodia and Laos, she said. The partnership also helps to maintain peace and stability, supporting the development of the border region between Cambodia and Laos as a peaceful, friendly and sustainable region, Sam An said. She further noted that better cooperation would be beneficial to the economic development and economic life of citizens in both nations.

The signing ceremony happened along with a four-day official visit to Cambodia by the Lao delegation, led by Visayaly Vongnobountham. The visit is part of the two organizations’ commitment to strengthen bilateral relations and further develop opportunities for collaboration in the fields of women's empowerment, leadership, social welfare, and community. It also underscores the mutual importance of promoting people-to-people exchanges with each other beyond the line of diplomatic relations.

The Cambodian Women's Association for Peace and Development (CWAPD) and Lao Women's Union has collaborated on various projects for over 10 years to foster gender equality, women's leadership, community development and cross-border cooperation. The recently signed MoU for 2026-2030 is a new plan which will serve as a guideline for the implementation of joint programs, exchange of experiences and sharing of best practices to promote women's involvement in social and economic development.

The reaffirmation of their partnership by Cambodia and Laos affirms their commitment to empowering women, protecting their rights, and promoting regional cooperation. It is hoped that the agreement will further strengthen cooperation between the two organizations, and also add to inclusive development, friendship and empowerment of women in both countries.