Union Minister for International Cooperation U Kyaw Tin participated in the virtual Meeting between ASEAN Foreign Ministers and the Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom on COVID-19 at 2:30 pm yesterday from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nay Pyi Taw.
The Meeting was chaired by Mr Pham Binh Minh, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Viet Nam in his capacity as the Chair of ASEAN 2020 and attended by Mr Dominic Raab, First Secretary of State, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom, ASEAN Foreign Ministers, the Secretary-General of ASEAN and high representatives of the ASEAN Member States.
At the Meeting, the Ministers underlined the need for closer collaboration and coordinated efforts to ensure a strong global response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Ministers committed to strengthening cooperation between ASEAN Member States and the UK in research, development, manufacture and distribution of the COVID-19 vaccines and treatments adhering to the objectives of efficiency, safety, equal accessibility and affordability. They agreed to enhance cooperation on public health emergencies and expressed their readiness to provide necessary assistance to nationals in each other’s countries who are affected by the pandemic to enable their safe return. They also welcomed the UK’s commitment to contribute 4.8 million Pounds towards strengthening national health systems and preventing and tracking COVID-19 in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Viet Nam.
Union Minister U Kyaw Tin apprised the Meeting of national measures taken by the Government of Myanmar for the prevention, containment and treatment of the COVID-19 pandemic with “Whole-of-Nation” approach. He stressed the importance of people’s participation in containing the pandemic, mitigating its socio-economic impacts and ensuring early recovery. He assured that Myanmar Government’s COVID-19 response and relief measures reach to the most vulnerable segments of the society including IDPs and low-income families. He also appreciated the UK for its support to Myanmar in the fight against COVID-19 and its intention to contribute 1 million pounds to the COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund.
With regard to strengthening cooperation between ASEAN and the United Kingdom in response to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Union Minister emphasized the need for stronger partnership and closer collaboration in addressing the health crisis and its socio-economic impacts. As defeating the virus has been utmost priority for all countries, the Union Minister underscored the importance of strengthening collaboration for early availability, equitable accessibility and affordability of vaccines. He also highlighted the need to maintain channels open for trade, communication and sharing of experience and best practices and promote collaboration on green recovery to ensure the sustainability and resilience of the post pandemic world.
The Chairman’s Press Release of the Virtual Meeting between ASEAN Foreign Ministers and the Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom on COVID-19 was issued at the end of the Meeting. Also present at the Meeting were senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Health and Sports.
—MNA
