Queen Mathilde In Laos: Days One and Two

As Honorary President of UNICEF Belgium and Advocate of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, Her Majesty Queen Mathilde started on Monday February 20, a four day mission to Laos which lasts till February 23. The mission, organized by the UNICEF office in Laos and the Embassy of Belgium in Bangkok, aims to increase awareness in the fields of education, health and mental health, and the issues of child survival and malnutrition.

Upon her arrival at the Vientiane Airport, the Queen was welcomed by Ms Hongwei Gao, UNICEF Laos Representative and Mr. Philippe Kridelka, Belgian Ambassador to Cambodia. Right after her arrival, Queen Mathilde had several institutional meetings: she met with the President of the Lao Women’s Union (LWU), Dr Inlavanh Keobounphanh and Ms Khamphao Eunthavanh, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. Then, at the Presidencial Palace, the Queen was received by Phankham Viphavanh, Vice President of Laos.

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The Queen also paid a visit to the headquarte of the Lao Women’s Union (LWU), a social organization established in 1955 that aims to promote and protect Lao women’s rights.

On Tuesday February 21, second day of the mission, Queen Mathilde visited some projects in the Province of Saravan that are organized by UNICEF and the Laos government.

The first stop was in the Sanon village where she a project that provides health check-ups and vaccinations for children. Queen Mathilde also visited a project organized by UNICEF and Lao Women’s Union (LWU) that offers support and advice to the mothers or expectant mothers about breastfeeding and health. Queen Mathilde also visited a primary school in the Sanon village and the Youth Media Project, an initiative that encourage young people to be involved in the management of a radio station.

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In the evening took place an official dinner preceded by the Baci welcoming ceremony, a traditional celebration of Laos.

Koningin Mathilde maakt op @UnicefBelgie-missie in Laos baci-ritueel mee, waarbij witte lintjes als geluksbrengers om pols worden gevonden. pic.twitter.com/A3srJqj5Ed

— Wim Dehandschutter (@WDehandschutter) February 21, 2017

Filed under Belgium
Tagged Ambassador, Children, Education, Health, Laos, Patronage, Queen Mathilde of the Belgians, UNICEF, United Nations, Working Visit.