AT the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, Netherlands, The Gambia has filed a case accusing Myanmar of violating the Genocide Convention. This case has now reached the stage of the final hearing. On 10 January, the BBC aired an interview with The Gambia’s lawyer, Mr Arsalan Suleman, regarding this case. Carefully examining the information Mr Suleman shared in this interview, one can see their true intentions, attempts to influence judicial proceedings through the media, and certain baseless accusations.

It might be wondered who wrote this open letter to Founder President Mr Mervyn Thomas of Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW). I am simply an ordinary citizen who loves our country and people. Particularly, I am an ordinary person who cannot accept one-sided accusations and pressure from international organizations and individuals, that aim our country and people to be in ruins.

MYANMAR shares borders with five neighbouring countries, and some of these borders are easily crossable and difficult to monitor. This makes it challenging to control illegal trade and contributes to the occurrence of illicit commerce. According to the Transnational Alliance to Combat Illicit Trade (TRACIT), it is estimated that over US$460 billion worth of goods are traded illegally worldwide each year.

The “Seinn Lann Myaing” Family moved to the United States in 2001. At that time, they faced an important decision that would affect not only their own lives but also the lives of their children. Like many immigrant families who arrive in a new country, they wanted to integrate quickly into society. They thought the best way to do this was by adopting the language of their new home. Therefore, they made a deliberate choice: they would stop speaking their native language, Myanmarsar (Burmese), at home and would communicate only in English. Their reasoning was simple. Since they were now living in an English-speaking country, they believed that English should completely replace their mother tongue.

MYANMAR successfully showed off its brilliant endeav­ours in implementing the literacy campaign with mass participation in central Myanmar in the 1960s. Among international literacy initiatives, Myanmar’s efforts in promoting literacy have been historically prominent. During the colonial period, literacy rates declined due to adverse circumstances. As a result, literacy programs were carried out actively under the leadership of UNESCO, achieving notable success.

NATIONAL reconciliation is the process of restoring unity, trust, and mutual respect among different groups within a country after periods of conflict, division, or misunderstanding. It is a journey towards healing the wounds of the past and building a shared future. Reconciliation is essential not only for political stability but also for social harmony and sustainable development.

IN Myanmar, the economy mainly relies on agriculture and livestock-based enterprises. About 70 per cent of the population lives in rural areas, and more than half are engaged in farming and livestock activities. Officials serving at the district and township levels need to be aware of the conditions in their respective areas and work to find ways to improve production enterprises.

At the very heart of the world, Myanmar stands anchored in its millennia-old civilizational roots, bearing witness to a rich and resilient cultural identity. Looking forward, it is the solemn historical duty of every citizen to safeguard, uplift, and advance Myanmar’s cultural legacy, ensuring that more of its heritage sites are recognized globally and that the nation’s distinct Identity continues to shine on the world stage.

Human resource is increasingly recognized as a key resource in today’s developing world. In developing countries, particular emphasis is being placed on enhancing human resources. Unlike other forms of resources, human resource is not a finite or exhaustible resource. It has the potential for long-term, renewable growth — especially when nurtured among the youth. Therefore, loss or neglect of human resources must be prevented, and efforts must be made to systematically develop and strengthen it.

Support for MSME businesses: Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises are a key driving force and main pillar for a country’s economic stability and growth. If regionally established MSME-based industries can be effectively developed, more local employment opportunities will be created, which will help reduce the need for people to migrate to urban areas or foreign countries for work.