MoIC Union Minister participates in China-Indian Ocean Region Forum on Development and Cooperation via videoconferencing

 

UNION Minister U Ko Ko Hlaing of the Ministry of International Cooperation participated in the China-Indian Ocean Region Fo­rum on Development and Coop­eration via videoconferencing at 2:30 pm on 21 November 2022.

The forum was chaired by Mr Luo Zhaohui, Chairman of the China International Devel­opment Cooperation Agency of the People’s Republic of China and co-chaired by Mr Wang Yubo, Governor of Yunnan Provincial Government. The forum was held under the theme “Development for All, Theories and Practices from the Perspective of Blue Economy”, featuring two ses­sions: “Blue Economy Potential and Challenges” and “Develop­ment under Blue Economy”. Vari­ous levels of representatives such as former presidents, ministers, deputy ministers, permanent sec­retaries, directors-general and representatives from 20 coun­tries of the Indian Ocean Region as well as from the think tank sectors participated in the said forum.

During the first session of the forum, pre-recorded video speech delivered by the Union minister was presented. In his speech, the Union minister ex­pressed his sincere appreciation to the China International De­velopment Cooperation Agency and Yunnan Provincial Govern­ment for their efforts in this fo­rum. While noting the forum’s purpose “To further explore and promote China-Indian Ocean Region economic and trade co­operation to a higher level and in broader fields”, he expressed his belief that the forum would serve as a platform for extensive discussions on Global Develop­ment Initiative (GDI), blue econ­omy, tourism as well as education sectors. He also stressed that the countries in the region includ­ing Myanmar were coordinating with China to explore specific areas for potential cooperation opportunities to enhance global development and cooperation. He stated that Myanmar encour­ages inside and outside of the country to explore the possible priority areas of investments for promoting the blue economy in Myanmar and welcomes the technical assistance as well as support from the participating countries concerned with ocean governance and digital transfor­mation development on the blue economy to lay down the innova­tive blue economic policy so that multiple benefits to people, the environment and the economy could be flourished.

While expressing Myan­mar’s willingness to cooperate with Indian Ocean Rim countries to mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change and econom­ic stagnation, he concluded by encouraging the participating countries to move forward with development projects based on the ocean, facilitating connectivi­ty, enhancing trade and econom­ic cooperation in line with the agreed principles and to strength­en the partnership to minimize the challenges concerned with the blue economy by working together on the issues such as poverty alleviation and environ­mental problems.

Similarly, participants also delivered their speeches and re­marks on opportunities and chal­lenges of the blue economy and good practices for the protection of marine ecology and biodiversi­ty as well as their national efforts to facilitate the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Furthermore, they expressed their deep concerns over climate change, loss of marine biodiver­sity and marine pollution.

In the second session, par­ticipants shared their points of view on matters relating to the approaches of economic develop­ment and ways and means for the protection of marine resources such as fisheries and renewa­ble energy in a more sustaina­ble manner, promoting tourism, strengthening policy coordina­tion, deepening development co­operation, enhancing resilience to disasters, and upgrading the countries’ capacity to achieve the benefits from the ocean-based economy.

Also present at the forum with the Union minister were senior officials from the Min­istry of International Coopera­tion.

MNA

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