H.E. Men Sean Presides Over the Closing
Ceremony of the Seminar on Maternal Health

Addressing at the closing of the Maternal Health Seminar in the evening of 17 December 2009, at the National Assembly Palace, H.E. Mr. Men Sean, Vice-Chairman of the NA’s Commission on Health, Social Affaires, Veterans, Youth Rehabilitation, Labor, Vocational Training and Women’s Affairs said that the valuable contribution made by all participants has clearly shown up their due attention in seeking every possible means to elevate the maternal and child health program. The recommendations and point of views that were raised during the gathering, could generate more strong thrusts for future action, as a contribution to the advancement of reproductive health and sexual rights, adding that this great contribution is also a response to the Rectangular Strategy Phase II of the Royal Government of Cambodia in the National Strategic Development Plan and other concerned International Accords.

The Vice-Chairman continued that the Royal Government of the Kingdom of Cambodia has recognized that women are the backbone of national socio-economic development, the national treasure and the priceless gem for national development. In this sense, the Royal Government has beefed up its prioritized action plan to implement actual and legal measures by uplifting the welfare of women in reproductive health and sexual rights as well as promoting gender equity, reducing maternal mortality, avoiding maternal mortality during childbirth, birth-extension program and forming volunteer family support program for all couples to get free choice about having their children. He added that based on the tremendous efforts made by the Royal Government of the Kingdom of Cambodia we can see that the maternal mortality rate has reached a trend of gradual decrease, but it does not meet a satisfactory result yet so that it still requires more combine efforts from all involved state institutions such as the Senate, the National Assembly, the Royal Government and all stakeholders.

H.E. Mr. Men Sean affirmed that the seminar welcomed the initiatives launched by UNFPA in establishing parliamentary mechanisms to examine the implementation of laws, policies, action plans and government strategies in contributing to the reduction of maternal and child mortality rates.

At the mean time, he, in the name of the National Assembly of the Kingdom of Cambodia, has welcomed the active participation from all concerned institutions, national and international non-organizations and civil societies for helping to prepare laws, follow up the enforcement and dissemination of laws so as to improve the livelihoods and the welfare of people.