Statement delivered by the Permanent Representative of Myanmar to the United Nations, H.E. U Kyaw Moe Tun, at the Mid-term Ministerial Conference (online) Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), 13-14 July 2021.
Mid-term Ministerial Conference (online) Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) 13-14 July 2021
Mr. Chairman,
Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen, At the outset, I, on behalf of the National Unity Government of Myanmar and my own behalf, would like to congratulate the Republic of Azerbaijan for hosting this Mid-term Ministerial Conference of the Non-Aligned Movement, under the theme “Non-Aligned Movement at the Center of multilateral efforts in responding global challenges”. It is a timely reminder to all of us how global challenges can only respond with collaboration and multilateral efforts. I also wish to commend Azerbaijan for its able leadership and member states for their cooperation in successful adoption of the political declaration yesterday.
Mr. Chairman,
To achieve our common goal of peace, security, and prosperity, we, all member states of NAM, need to further strengthen our collective efforts, consolidate our solidarity and fortify our Bandung Principles in addressing global challenges. The ongoing health crisis, the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, has proved that only solidarity and collective efforts can address unprecedented today global challenges. Not only health issue, but we are also additionally confronting with the complex and changing international environment which has led to more new challenges like injustice, inequalities, economic problems, widened development gap.
We are of the view that it is critical for the Movement to maintain unity and solidarity among its membership and remain united as a group addressing global challenges and issues of concerns to all member states. Myanmar is proud to be one of the founding members of the Non-aligned Movement and has firmly adhered to the principles of the Movement.
Mr. Chairman,
Myanmar is undergoing a process of democratization. In doing so, the free and fair general elections was held successfully in November 2020. The people of Myanmar have already shown their confidence for the Government led by State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi with their votes. Ever since the civilian government took over responsibility in 2016, it has never lost sight of the goal which is to establish a peaceful and developed Democratic Federal Union. Besides, the elected civilian government has established friendly relations with all countries near and far and has put promoting multilateral efforts in one of its priorities.
It was only five years of first ever elected civilian government took responsibilities while ending over five decades of absolute military rule. Nevertheless, the nascent democracy of Myanmar was being attacked again in this very 21st century by the illegal military coup on 1 February 2021. The past five months since the coup have been disturbing for the people of Myanmar because of the brutal and inhumane acts committed by the military. The outbreak of third wave of COVID-19 across the nation is increasingly alarming, and it needs urgent help. It is regrettable that the virus testing has collapsed since the military coup and the healthcare system under the military junta is deteriorating. We cannot deny the fact that the outbreak of pandemic is a global challenge that needs to be addressed immediately and collectively. Failure of addressing this challenge effectively will have the enormous consequences not only to the country itself but also to the region and beyond.
Mr. Chairman,
In the face of global challenges, while maintaining unity and cooperation, the Movement should be in a vibrant position to address the issues of concern to member states. We are confident that the Movement is in the center of multilateral efforts in responding global challenges, and we should therefore further strengthen our collective efforts and solidarity.
I thank you.
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