23 Oct
Union Minister for International Cooperation U Kyaw Tin participated in the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General and the President of the 75th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (AUMM) which was held via videoconference on Wednesday at 6:30 pm from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nay Pyi Taw.
The Meeting was chaired by Mr Pham Binh Minh, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Viet Nam in his capacity as the Chair of ASEAN in 2020, and was attended by Mr António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr Volkan Bozkır, President of the 75th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, the Foreign Ministers of ASEAN Member States, the Secretary-General of ASEAN and senior officials of ASEAN and the UN.
The Meeting reviewed the progress made in the cooperation between ASEAN and the UN, and encouraged full implementation of action lines under the ASEAN-UN Plan of Action (2016-2020). Subsequently, the Meeting adopted the new five-year Plan of Action (2021-2025) to further strengthen ASEAN-UN Comprehensive Partnership. The Meeting also exchanged views on regional and international issues including COVID-19 pandemic, terrorism, violent extremism and transnational organized crimes. The Meeting also highlighted the importance of promoting regional peace and security, sustainable development and disaster management, and underscored the need to enhance international cooperation in addressing the emerging challenges, especially the COVID-19 pandemic and its socio-economic impacts.
In his statement at the Meeting, Union Minister U Kyaw Tin expressed his appreciation on the continued strengthening of ASEAN-UN Comprehensive Partnership as well as tangible progress made in the implementation of the ASEAN-UN Plan of Action (2016-2020), and supported the adoption of the new Plan of Action (2021-2025). The Union Minister also appreciated the leadership of the UN Secretary-General for taking multilateral initiative in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. As equitable and affordable access of all global citizens to the safe and secured vaccines has been top priority for all countries, he stressed the need to enhance cooperation between ASEAN and the UN to ensure vaccine security. He also emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation between ASEAN and the UN in addressing terrorism and violent extremism which pose a profound threat to international peace and security.
In response to the remarks on the Rakhine issue, the Union Minister reminded not to overlook the involvement of elements of terrorism in the Rakhine issue and underlined that many people conveniently ignored the fact that the humanitarian situation in Rakhine State was triggered by the violent coordinated attacks against multiple security outposts by a terrorist group called Harakah al-Yaqin also known as Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA). He stated that ARSA members have been active in Cox’s Bazaar camp instigating unrest to hinder the repatriation process. Referring to the media reports, the Union Minister added that the ARSA terrorist group has made deep inroads in the camp engaged in the illegal arms and drug smugglings, involved in abduction, murder, human trafficking and terrorist activities, and even conducted military training. He also expressed concern over the continued threats of terror attacks posed by ARSA and AA using Bangladeshi territory as a sanctuary to commit terrorist activities. He highlighted that the new dimension of dual conflict with ARSA and AA coupled with the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic has further complicated the Government’s efforts in restoring peace, harmony and stability in Rakhine State including repatriation of the displaced persons. He also refuted that the resolution of the issue rests not solely on Myanmar since cooperation of Bangladesh is also needed for successful repatriation. The Union Minister reaffirmed Myanmar’s commitment to receiving the verified displaced persons in line with the bilateral agreement and laying down a sustainable foundation for peace and stability, reconciliation, democracy and development for all in Rakhine State. He also expressed the hope that the UN will try to learn and understand the complex challenges and strengthen the government’s capacity to help Myanmar’s efforts in addressing the issue.
The convening of AUMM this year is significant to both ASEAN and the UN as 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of the UN and two ASEAN Member States are taking seats at the United Nations Security Council as non-permanent members. Also present at the Meeting were senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
MNA
