DEPUTY Prime Minister and Union Minister for Foreign Affairs U Than Swe held a briefing to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator ad interim and representatives of the UN agencies in Myanmar on 8 October 2024 at the Ayeyawady Hall of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nay Pyi Taw.

During the briefing, the Deputy Prime Minister and Union Minister for Foreign Affairs briefed on the cooperation between Myanmar and the UN, including development assistance, policies being implemented and the need to address challenges through collaboration.

At the briefing, he stressed that the Government assures all available assistance to reach the needy population without any discrimination. The Government does not block any humanitarian aid from UN agencies and international organizations. It allows access to all secured areas while taking into consideration the safety and security of their humanitarian workers.

In addition, the UN agencies and international organizations need to coordinate with the relevant focal ministries to provide relief assistance to disaster-affected areas. Moreover, they need to cooperate with the National Disaster Management Committee (NDMC) for effective assistance and not overlap operations. Donors can participate in the Government’s distribution process. He also highlighted that the NDMC is leading the humanitarian response activities for Typhoon Yagi-affected areas and suggested that the UN agencies cooperate with the committee.

Furthermore, he mentioned that the UN agencies in Myanmar need to inform the international community about the Government’s activities and the country’s on-ground situation in an objective and impartial manner.

Moreover, he explained the political developments in the country, including conducting the nationwide census since 1 October to ensure the accuracy of voter lists for the upcoming multiparty democratic general elections. He also emphasized that the Government has invited the ethnic armed organizations and PDF terrorists who are fighting against the State to resolve the political issues through party politics or electoral processes.

Afterwards, the Deputy Prime Minister and Union Minister for Foreign Affairs exchanged views on the current activities of UN agencies in Myanmar and the challenges they face during their operations.

The deputy minister and senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also joined the briefing, together with the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator ad interim, as well as representatives of the UN agencies in Myanmar.

— MNA

#TheGlobalNewLightOfMyanmar