May all of you-- the President, Union-level officials, government departmental heads, diplomats, officials from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and other international organizations, NGOs working for anti-corruption, and guests who participate in today’s ceremony marking the International Anti-Corruption Day-- have good health and prosperity.

Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, Myanmar, like other convention member countries, is proud to be able to celebrate International Anti-Corruption Day via online. While we are working hard to develop our country into a stable, peaceful, and modern Democratic Federal Union, while we are conducting national reform by using collaborative citizens-based approaches, it is also important to resolve the problem of corruption, which has been entrenched for many years. So, Pyidaungsu Hluttaw approved the Anti-Corruption Law on 7 August 2013, and approved the formation of an Anti-Corruption Commission on 25 February 2014.

For the fourth time, Hluttaw could approve laws amending the Anti-Corruption Law to make anti-corruption works more effective and more widespread. Because of the laws, the commission can take punitive actions against both bribe-takers and bribe-givers. The laws can protect public funds, initiate business ethics to prevent corruptions in public and private businesses, help arrange anti-corruption lessons starting from the primary education level, and pave the way for the implementation of a long-term strategic plan to fight corruption throughout Myanmar.

The Anti-Corruption Commission submitted its annual reports to the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw, where MPs made discussions in order to inform the public about anti-corruption activities. MPs are cooperating to the best of their ability in the anti-corruption actions. Corruption is a fundamental problem that can destroy many countries today. In the fight against corruption, many people mistakenly think that taking bribes is the only form of corruption. In fact, there are four types of Agati: Chanda, dosa, moha, and bhaya.

On behalf of the legislative pillar, I would like to acknowledge the commission’s efforts to raise awareness on anti-corruption, to prevent corruption and to take actions against those who committed corruption. Union-level and regional level government organizations need to constantly review relevant policies, laws, by-laws, regulations and procedures, and Corruption Risk Assessment (CRA) should be effectively conducted by all levels of officials.

By working together in combatting corruption, we can create a corruption-free culture and a society governed by the rule of law. Sixteen out of the 17 Agenda for Sustainable Development of the UN (2030) highlighted the importance of anti-corruption.

For the sustainable development of our country, all people of Myanmar must participate in basic anti-corruption activities such as making the societies peaceful and all-inclusive, bringing about justice and promoting accountability and transparency at every level.

In conclusion, starting from this ceremony marking the International Anti-Corruption Day (2020), in accordance with the Myanmar Anti-Corruption Commission’s motto “Eliminate Corruption to Create a Peaceful Country”, we would like to call upon public servants, civil servants, businesses, civil society organizations, media and all the people of Myanmar to collaboratively work to eradicate corruption and build a corruption-free society for the peaceful development of the motherland.

Translated by Maung Maung Swe

#The Global New Light Of Myanmar

THE relief flight of All Nippon Airways, organized by the Myanmar Embassy in Tokyo, Japan, landed at Yangon International Airport bringing 157 Myanmar nationals back home yesterday.

The Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population, the Ministry of Health and Sports and the Yangon Region government arranged 7-day quarantine at specific places or designated hotels, followed by the 7-day home quarantine.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been working with Myanmar embassies in foreign countries and local ministries to bring back Myanmar citizens stranded abroad in accordance with the guidance of the National-Level Central Committee on Prevention, Control and Treatment of COVID-19, and it has organized 15 relief flights from Japan to date.

—MNA

Translated by Khine Thazin Han

Photo: MNA

#The Global New Light Of Myanmar

THE fifth Director-General Level Bilateral Meeting between Myanmar and India on Drug Control Cooperation was held virtually yesterday.

Myanmar delegation led by Police Brig- Gen Win Naing, Joint Secretary of Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control and Commander of Drug Enforcement Division, Myanmar, and Indian delegation led by Mr Rakesh Asthana, Director-General, Narcotics Control Bureau, participated in the meeting via videoconferencing.

At the event, Police BrigGen Win Naing said that the meeting on drug control cooperation was held virtually because of the pandemic.

Drug dealers, taking the pandemic as an opportunity, were doing more drug production and trafficking, and opium cultivation and opium production became a major problem for the region, he said.

He added that stimulant tablets and ICE methamphetamine problems became worsen with wider drug market and involvement of cross-border organized criminals in the trafficking.

Suggestions for the future and good experiences of Myanmar’s CCDAC and India’s NCB will help overcome problems facing, he added saying that Myanmar is ready for cooperation with world countries, regional organizations and international organizations on the fight against drug trafficking.

He also urged the delegates of the two countries to openly discuss the matters relating to drug control for the benefits of the two nations.

Leader of the Indian delegation Mr Rakesh Asthana made remarks at the meeting.

The meeting discussed bilateral drug control cooperation, implementation of decisions made in fourth meeting, bilateral cooperation on illegal opium trafficking, illegal trading of amphetamines, capacity building training for drug control members of Myanmar Police Force, and control of illicit drug trafficking routes.

They also detailed about monitoring of opium fields via satellites, exchange of information if the nationals of the two countries are arrested, and location and date for the sixth meeting on drug control cooperation.

—MNA

Translated by Kyaw Zin Tun

Photo: MNA

#The Global New Light Of Myanmar

U Aung Myint, Director-General from the Strategic Studies and Training Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, signed the book of condolences for the demise of former French President Mr Valery Giscard d’Estaing at the Embassy of France in Yangon yesterday.

The third President of France, who took office from 1974 to 1981, died aged 94.

— MNA

Translated by Kyaw Zin Tun

Photo: MNA

#The Global New Light Of Myanmar

A relief flight of Myanmar Airways International (MAI) organized by Myanmar Embassy in Seoul brought 93 Myanmar nationals via Incheon International Airport yesterday.

The returnees on the flight were 73 from the Republic of Korea, 2 from Switzerland, 4 from Indonesia, 1 from South Africa, 2 from Belgium, 5 from Qatar, 1 from Canada and 5 from the US.

The Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population, the Ministry of Health and Sports and the Yangon Region government arranged 7-day quarantine at specific places or designated hotels, followed by the 7-day home quarantine.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been working with Myanmar embassies in foreign countries and local ministries to bring back Myanmar citizens stranded abroad in accordance with the guidance of the National-Level Central Committee on Prevention, Control and Treatment of COVID-19, and it has organized 34 relief flights from the ROK to date.

MNA

(Translated by Khine Thazin Han)

Photo: MNA

#The_Global_New_Light_of_Myanmar

THE second-day meeting on amendment of political dialogue framework was concluded yesterday afternoon, with making common plans of government side participated by the administrative sector, Hluttaw and the Tatmadaw.

The meeting at the National Reconciliation and Peace Centre was attended by Vice Chairman of NRPC and Union Attorney-General U Tun Tun Oo, Lt-Gen Yar Pyae, Lt-Gen Min Naung and Lt-Gen Aung Lin Dwe from the Office of Commander-in-Chief (Army), Secretary of Peace Commission Retired Lt-Gen Khin Zaw Oo, Pyithu Hluttaw Representative U Pyone Cho (a) U Htay Win Aung, Members of Advisory Body from Peace Commission U Hla Maung Shwe and U Moe Zaw Oo and Director-General of Ministry of State Counsellor Office.

They held talks on emergence of a realistic political dialogue framework, formation of implementing mechanism on agreements, and carrying out phase by phase agreements and step by step implementation.

MNA

(Translated by Aung Khin)

Photo: Kyaw Ye Swe

#The_Global_New_Light_of_Myanmar

UNION Minister for Transport and Communications U Thant Sin Maung joined the online High-Level Bilateral Talks (G2G Meetings) of the 8th Global Infrastructure Cooperation Conference (GICC 2020) yesterday at the invitation of Ms Kim Hyun-mee, Minister for Land, Infrastructure and Transport of the Republic of Korea.

The meeting focussed on the upgrade of 54.6km long Gyohtuang-Me-za section and Mawhan-Kardu section on Mandalay-Myitkyina railway route with $125 million loan from EDCF of Korea EXIM Bank, further EDCF loan for installation of signalling system for Mandalay- Myitkyina route, the tender invitation for Korean companies for Insein railway station development project in Yangon Circular Railway section, human resource development, technical aids and loan of ROK for Myanmar’s transport sector development.

The meeting was also attended by Deputy Minister U Kyaw Myo, Permanent Secretary U Win Khant, departmental personnel and Assistant Minister for Infrastructure Affairs Mr Kwon Hyuck-Jin of ROK.

MNA

(Translated by Khine Thazin Han)

Photo: MNA

#The_Global_New_Light_of_Myanmar

THE National Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, chaired by Vice-President U Henry Van Thio, held its second meeting this year yesterday.

Union Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Nay Pyi Taw Council member and departmental heads attended the meeting at the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement. Those who joined the meeting via videoconferencing were Chief Minister of Kachin State, Deputy Minister for Education, Vice-Chairman of Myanmar National Human Rights Commission, social affairs ministers from regions/states and officials, permanent secretaries, directors-general, chairman of Myanmar Federation of PWDs and its members, associations of PWDs, civil society organizations, representatives of volunteer associations and officials.

The Vice-President discussed the government’s ‘Leaving no one behind’ policy especially during the COVID-19 crisis, taking immediate actions in coordination with the COVID-19 Emergency Response Committee and the Myanmar Federation of PWDs, and development plans for the PWDs in carrying out rehabilitation works in the post-COVID-19.

He also highlighted the importance of disability identification and registration to cover all the persons with various levels of disability and the initiation of human rights and social model techniques in Hlinethaya Township of Yangon Region, Nyaunglebin Township of Bago Region, Hpa-an and Kya-in-Seikkyi townships of Kayin State implemented by the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement and relevant organizations in regions and states.

He also talked about the courses of training of trainers, registration supervisors in villages and wards, implementation of the Remote Assessment Methodology and the Management Information System in Kayin State, and the works of the technical core group and 9 sub-committees to draft the National Strategic Plan (2020-2025) for the medium term.

The Vice-President also asked for conducting suitable vocational training courses in respective areas for the livelihood of PWDs based on their impairments, cooperation with microfinance institutions in the post-COVID-19, establishment of barrier-free communities in respective regions and states like at Nay Pyi Taw Water Fountain Garden and Myoma Market and simultaneous implementation of the Myanmar Barrier-Free Pilot Project developed by the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism in the post COVID-19 period.

He also talked about the need to produce the 2020 annual report of the National Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities by the committee led by the Deputy Minister for Information to report on activities of the national committee up to December 2019 after it was formed in 2017.

Myanmar will form a team to produce a report on simplified reporting procedure in accordance with the List of Issues by the UN’s Committee on Rights of Persons with Disabilities on 7 January 2024 which will be one-year ahead to submit the implementation report on recommendations in the concluding observation of the UN committee.

According to the interim census in 2019, there are 6.3 per cent of visually-impaired persons with eyeglasses, 2.4 per cent of hearing-impaired persons with hearing aid, 5.4 per cent with difficulties in walking/climbing steps, 4.4 per cent with difficulties in memory/learning, 1.9 per cent with problems in personal cleaning and taking clothes, and 1.6 per cent with difficulties in communications with others among the population in Myanmar.

Over 87,000 PWDs cast their votes in the 2020 multiparty democracy general elections thanks to the special arrangements and facilities made for them.

The Vice-President concluded his speech with the theme for the 2020 International Day of Persons with Disabilities “Building Back Better: toward a disability-inclusive, accessible and sustainable post-COVID-19 World”, and urged for the constant implementation of PWD rights in the post-COVID-19 period.

Union Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Dr Win Myat Aye, Vice-Chairman (1) of National Committee and Chairman of Work Committee on PWD rights, reported on organizational matters and progress of works of the national committee and sub-committees.

Vice-Chairman (2) and Chairman of Myanmar Federation of PWDs U Aung Ko Myint, Secretary of National Committee and Deputy Minister for MoSWRR U Soe Aung briefed on the works of their committee.

Union Minister for International Cooperation U Kyaw Tin discussed works of his office on the decisions of 1/2020 the National Committee meeting and submitting the report through simplified reporting procedures to the UN’s Committee on Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Participants at the meeting also discussed coordination with associations of PWDs, legal action on crimes against PWDs, facilities for PWDs in prisons, awareness campaigns, training courses, the status of work done on producing the annual report, granting rights for PWDs under the new normal lifestyle, supplying devices for PWDs, relief assistance to the PWDs under the COVID-19 Economic Relief Plan, requirements of health, education and employment opportunities for PWDs and the works of relevant departments.

MNA

(Translated by Aung Khin)

Photo: MNA

#The_Global_New_Light_of_Myanmar

UNION Minister for Hotels and Tourism U Ohn Maung and Deputy Minister U Tin Latt virtually joined the discussion under the topic “The impact of COVID-19 on Myanmar Hotel Industry & Better Future Plan” hosted by the Myanmar Hospitality Professionals Associations yesterday afternoon from Nay Pyi Taw.

At the discussion, Deputy Minister U Tin Latt, Director from the Ministry of Health and Sports Dr Khin Khin Gyi, Vice-Chair of the Myanmar Hotelier Association U Than Htut and Advisor to the Myanmar Tourism Federation U Thet Lwin Toe acted as panellists.

Union Minister U Ohn Maung said the topic of the discussion is very timely as it is aimed at overcoming the current situation and how to overcome it. He said the present Government started to develop not only regular hotel-centred tourism but also community-based tourism in 2016 as well as the development of the primary destinations such as Yangon, Bagan, Inlay, Ngapali and secondary goals in 2017.

He continued the number of tourist arrival increased from over 2 million in 2016 to over 4 million in 2019 because of visa liberalization in 10 Western European countries and 5 Asian countries in 2019. He said the COVID-19 pandemic occurred by the time more than 400,000 tourists arrived in the early months of 2020, which was expected to reach 5 million tourists in 2020 and 6 million in 2021.

The Union Minister added the implementation of COVID-19 Tourism Relief Plan and the development of the Myanmar Tourism Strategic Rescue Roadmap (2021-2025) MTSRR in accordance with the Myanmar Economic Recovery & Reform Plan MERRP for the post-2020 years which aim to revive the tourism and to return to its original state in 2023-2024.

He also said the tourism businesses that follow the protocol of the Enchanting Myanmar Health & Safety Protocols would be allowed to use Safe Tourism Myanmar Stamp. He called on the tour operators to work with the Ministry to restore the trust of foreign tourist and domestic travellers as the Ministry is cooperating with relevant ministries to develop Myanmar’s rural tourism areas in line with the World Tourism Organization’s 2020 theme of rural development with tourism.

The panellists coordinated the meeting after the discussion of Deputy Minister U Tin Latt on development of tourism recovery plan, conditions on impact survey for Hotels and Tourism and the development of COVID-19 Tourism Relief Plan and Myanmar Tourism Strategic Rescue Roadmap (2021-2025) (MTSRR) as a follow-up to COVID-19 Economic Relief Plan (CERP).

MNA

(Translated by Ei Phyu Phyu Aung)

Photo: MNA

#The_Global_New_Light_of_Myanmar

THE COVAX National Coordination Committee (CNCC) organized its 2/2020 meeting via videoconferencing on 4 December.

During the meeting, Union Minister for Health and Sports said this meeting is the last one between CNCC and National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG) regarding the immunization plan between the second quarter of 2021 and 2022, target priority groups, the cost borne by Gavi- and the government, vaccines for target groups and the storage system before filling in the form of Gavi- the Vaccine Alliance which must be sent on 7 December.

The ministry discussed with the Gavi- the Vaccine Alliance in details on the vaccine to get as soon as possible and set plans for vaccination in accordance with target priority groups when the vaccine is available, he said.

The Union Minister also discussed the experience of ministry in immunization campaign especially in the expanded programme on immunization for 13 vaccines, preparations for ultra-cold storage, the reply of Gavi- the Vaccine Alliance to the country regarding with the type of vaccine, only 20 pc of the population are expected to get the vaccine as all the ordered vaccine cannot be received just in one time, communications with the Myanmar ambassadors in the US, UK, China and India which produce the vaccine to purchase the needed amount of vaccine, instructions of National-Level Central Committee on COVID-19 to buy the vaccine with the government budget and World Bank loan and the side effects of COVID-19 which show up instantly or some days after vaccination.

He also emphasized the awareness on the vaccine as it is produced in a form that has never been used before in the world, panic buying for COVID-19 vaccine all over the world, COVAX programme for Myanmar among 92 countries, vaccine distribution system in tranches and the duties of the public to keep following the health guidelines without fail as it is hard to receive herd immunity in the short term.

He also highlighted the educating programmes of COVID-19 for the public via media including the Adverse event following immunization (AEFI) and target priority groups based on the country’s health system, discussion with the relevant committee and working committees, keeping eyes on COVID-19 vaccine research news of international countries from the reliable sources, work plans with Gavi- the Vaccine Alliance via COVAX Facility, readiness assessment, vaccine procurement under a bilateral agreement, direct procurement system for private vaccine producers and budget estimate for COVID-19 vaccination plan.

Union Minister Dr Myint Htwe said the Ministry is keeping in touch with Gavi- the Vaccine Alliance, COVAX Facility, India, China, Russia, UK and US that are developing and testing the vaccine and will ensure to purchase the vaccine as soon as possible. He added the detail discussion with World Bank for the loan provisions to Myanmar and the submission of the discussion and suggestion of the Ministry to the COVID-19 Committee to continue the plan. He expressed words of thanks to the National Immunization Technical Advisory Group- NITAG for the suggestions to the Ministry.

Dr. Aung Naing Oo and Dr Aye Mya Chan Thar presented plans for systematic vaccination if COVID-19 vaccine is available and coordination with the relevant ministries. The presentation included to select the target population for the vaccine in accordance with the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO); Financial forecasts for COVID-19 vaccination; Estimated cost per percentage of population to be vaccinated against COVID-19; Finance funding and loan availability; The success rate and availability of the COVID-19 vaccine, which is being researched worldwide; Discussion with companies developing the vaccines and with World Bank; Preparation of the vaccine storage system that requires extreme freezing cold-storage system; setting guidelines and information to ensure the safety of the public in case of using the vaccine in private sector and public donations; Selection of national preference for the 12 vaccine characteristics available through the COVAX Facility; to include health workers from the field of the COVID-19 treatment and aged elderly people who are at risk of life-threatening disease in the priority group for the vaccines and selection of regions/ states with the highest number of deaths.

The members of the National Immunization Technical Advisory Group-NITAG also presented the success of the COVID-19 vaccine research around the world; Ineffective fake side effects of counterfeit COVID-19 vaccine; Private sector procurement issues and recommendation for systematic immunization during the vaccination period. Afterwards, the Union Minister approved the application to be submitted to Gavi- the Vaccine Alliance by 7 December for access to the COVID-19 vaccine and coordinated the meeting.

MNA

(Translated by Ei Phyu Phyu Aung, Khine Thazin Han)

Photo: MNA

#The_Global_New_Light_of_Myanmar