Participating in the event were officials working in the field of public health, voluntary non-remunerated blood donors and foreigners.

Ri Pong Hun, vice-minister of Public Health, said in the opening ceremony that successful blood transfusion can be guaranteed only when men and women donate their blood to the society and people of their own accord and elaborated the problems of increasing the number of regular voluntary non-remunerated blood donors.

His speech was followed by the speeches of the acting representative of the World Health Organization here and the representative to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies active in the country.

Participants looked round a photo and visual-aids show on blood transfusion and the inside of the newly reconstructed National Blood Center before appreciating an art performance.

The "World Blood Donor Day" was observed in different parts of the country.

Various information activities were conducted on the occasion in the country in accordance with the theme for this year "Achieving 100 % Voluntary Non-Remunerated Donation of Blood and Blood Products!"