BANGKOK — Việt Nam ranked 72 out of 146 countries in the gender equality index this year, while the rate of female representatives in the National Assembly is always high and currently stands at 30.26 per cent. Over 1200 participants joined the conference and 27 side events on a wide range of topics related to gender equality and women’s empowerment. In addition, programmes on communication and promoting gender equality in various fields have been implemented nationwide by the Government. Though encouraging results have been achieved, like many other countries in the region, Việt Nam is facing a number of difficulties and challenges in this process. They discussed emerging challenges and priority actions for accelerating gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls across Asia and the Pacific.