The Friends of Asia Pacific WAGGGS (World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts) or FAPW kicked off in Siem Reap provincial city under the theme : “Imagine the Possibilities.”
The three-day regional event was presided over by Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of Cambodia, and his spouse Lok Chumteav Pich Chanmony, Commissioner General of the Girl Guides Association of Cambodia (GGAC).
Speaking on the occasion, FAPW was founded in 1999 as a regional membership fundraising scheme to provide financial resources for training programmes, events, projects and activities for the development of girls and young women in the Asia Pacific Region.
According to Lok Chumteav Pich Chanmony, Cambodia is one of the active members of FAPW. “By 2023, Cambodia has a total of 239 FAPW members, including Her Majesty the Queen-Mother, Norodom Monineath Sihanouk, as a Gold Supporter,” she said.
In his remarks, Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet expressed his warm welcome to all delegates who have attended this event and appreciated the FAPW for its key contribution to the gender equality, especially women’s capacity building.
The Cambodian Premier took the opportunity to appeal to all leaders and stakeholders to further support the FAPW’s mission.
Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet also emphasised the Royal Government of Cambodia’s full support to gender equality and the women’s role in the national development.
FAPW is a large regional meeting with the participation of all stakeholders to jointly review progress and recognise the achievements of the FAPW in equipping girls and young women around the world with knowledge, experience and appropriate possibility to build a brighter future.
The event is also a good opportunity to make Cambodia ready to host the 39th WAGGGS World Conference in 2026.
Cambodian First Lady, Lok Chumteav Pich Chanmony became a member of the FAPW with Gold Award level at the 8th FAPW General Assembly in Bangkok and Pattaya, Thailand in November in 2022.
At this morning’s event, Lok Chumteav Pich Chanmony was presented the FAPW Gold Award Pin and certificate from FAPW Founder Dr. Juseon Byun and Chair of FAPW Ms. Ching Ching Wee-Ong.
