The 46 million Australian dollars initiative funded by the Australian government aims to empower women in socio-economic activities in the Asia Pacific region. Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop praised the Vietnamese government’s impressive achievements in promoting gender equality and empowering women saying they are good reference to further promote the initiative in the region. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh praised Australia’s vanguard role in promoting gender equality and empowering women in the region. Minh said the Vietnamese government respects and is implementing several measures to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment. Minh highlighted women’s role in micro-small and medium sized enterprises saying empowering their roles will help boost the development and prosperity of countries.