ASEAN supports the proposal to establish an Ad-Hoc Support Team of the ASEAN Secretariat to facilitate implementation of projects under the recommendations of the Preliminary Needs Assessment
(5-11-2019, Nay Pyi Taw)
The Myanmar delegation led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, State Counsellor of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, arrived back Nay Pyi Taw International Airport today after attending the 35th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits held in Bangkok, Thailand from 2 to 4 November 2019.
On 2 November 2019, the State Counsellor delivered a keynote speech at the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit under the theme “Empowering ASEAN 4.0”. In the afternoon, the State Counsellor attended Plenary Session of the 35th ASEAN Summit and witnessed signing ceremony of the MOU between ASEAN and FIFA.
On 3 November 2019, the State Counsellor attended the Opening Ceremony of the 35th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, 22nd ASEAN-China Summit and 16th ASEAN-India Summit. Later in the evening, the State Counsellor attended the 10th ASEAN-UN Summit, and Gala Dinner hosted by General Prayut Chan-o-cha (Ret.), Prime Minister of Thailand.
On 4 November 2019, the State Counsellor attended the 22nd ASEAN Plus Three Summit, and Special Lunch on Sustainable Development hosted by General Prayut-Chan-o-cha. Later in the afternoon, the State Counsellor attended the 14th East Asia Summit, 22nd ASEAN-Japan Summit, 3rd RCEP Summit, Closing Ceremony of the 35th ASEAN Summits and Related Summits and 11th Mekong-Japan Summit Working Dinner. At the Closing Ceremony, Thailand handed over the ASEAN Chairmanship for 2020 to the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam.
At the 35th ASEAN Summit, the ASEAN Leaders discussed and exchanged views on matters relating to advancing partnership for sustainability, ASEAN’s external relations and future direction as well as regional and international issues including the issues of South China Sea and Korea Peninsula.
On the issue of Rakhine, the ASEAN Chair stressed that ASEAN needs to continue its support to Myanmar in addressing the complex issue. He added that the role of ASEAN should be enhanced through the work of the Secretary-General of ASEAN by cooperating with friends with whom Myanmar is comfortable with in working on the specific areas such as capacity building and sustainable development projects beneficial to local communities so as to create a conducive environment for the repatriation. He also expressed his support to the proposal to establish Ad Hoc Support Team of the ASEAN Secretariat to support the Secretary-General of ASEAN in implementing the recommendations of the Preliminary Needs Assessment.
The State Counsellor stated that Myanmar understands very much the concern of the ASEAN friends with regard to the situation in Rakhine State. She stressed that Myanmar has always worked very closely with the ASEAN Secretariat, and is very much ready to further cooperate with them, The 7 prioritized projects identified at the Second Technical Working Group (TWG) Meeting will be implemented as soon as possible. She added that Myanmar agrees with the Secretary-General of ASEAN to form a team to work on the early implementation of the prioritized projects. She emphasized that Myanmar has always worked closely with friends who have been consistent in supporting Myanmar to create a situation which will provide enduring security for all there, and hoped that they will continue to help Myanmar in creating a situation to which the displaced persons can return in safety and dignity.
At the end of the ASEAN Summit, Chairman’s Statement of the 35th ASEAN Summit was issued in which the ASEAN Leaders welcomed the outcomes of the 2nd Technical Working Group Meeting held on 29 October 2019 in Nay Pyi Taw and the identification at that Meeting of the prioritized projects to implement the recommendations of the Preliminary Needs Assessment on enhancing capacity of Reception and Transit Centres, strengthening of information dissemination and support to the provision of basic services in Rakhine State as the first step. The ASEAN Leaders supported the implementation of the three points reached at the informal Foreign Ministers’ Meeting among Myanmar, Bangladesh, and China in New York and proposal of the Secretary-General of ASEAN to establish an Ad-Hoc Support Team of the ASEAN Secretariat to focus on implementing the recommendation of the Preliminary Needs Assessment. They reaffirmed their support in providing humanitarian assistance, facilitating the repatriation process, and promoting sustainable development in Rakhine State. They also expressed their continued support for Myanmar’s efforts to bring peace, stability, the rule of law, to promote harmony and reconciliation among the various communities, as well as to ensure sustainable and equitable development in Rakhine State.
At the 35th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, the Leaders issued, adopted and noted (44) documents which include, among others, ASEAN Declaration on Industrial Transformation to Industry 4.0, ASEAN Joint Statement on Climate Change to the 25th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC COP 25), ASEAN Declaration on the Rights of Children in the Context of Migration, Bangkok Declaration on Advancing Partnership in Education for 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in ASEAN, ASEAN Statement on Promotion of Good Governance and Acceleration of an Agile Civil Service in a Digital Economy, ASEAN Plus Three Leaders’ Statement on Connecting the Connectivities Initiative and East Asia Summit Leaders’ Statement on Cooperation to Combat Transnational Crime.
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