The Sagaing Region government handed over a report on government officials receiving bribes from illegal gold miners in the peatlands near Thapanseik Dam in Kyunhla Township, Sagaing Region, to the Anti-Corruption Commission. After thorough investigation, the ACC found that Deputy Township Administrator U Soe Ko Ko of Kyunhla Township solicited K300,000 from illegal gold miners, Police Major Aung Myo Oo of Kyunhla Township police station solicited K550,000 from illegal gold miners, Police Captain Than Htike of Kyunhla police station solicited K1,040,000 from illegal gold miners, Police Sub-Lieutenant Myo Lwin of the border guard forces solicited K250,000, and Police Lieutenant Ye Lin of Kanbalu District solicited K200,000 from illegal gold miners. The ACC has discovered that these 5 individuals have abused their positions of power and have opened cases under Section 56 of the Anti-Corruption Law in Kyunhla police state, Sagaing Region, yesterday.—MNA (Translated by Zaw Htet Oo)

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The Directorate of Communications under the Ministry of Transport of Communications has issued a reminder on systematic re-registration of SIM with the personal information of holders not later than 30 June. The earlier announcement has been made on state-owned newspapers and its websites and social media on 23 February that the SIM card registration can be obtained through online services of respective operators or at the sale centres. According to the law, maximum two SIM cards have been allowed to each person, holding national identity card, citizen card, certified card, scrutiny card or passport (for foreigners). The extra SIM cards of these persons or unsystematically registered SIM cards have been banned from outgoing call, except to Call Centres, since 30 April. The DoC has also notified unregistered SIM cards will be totally deactivated as from 1 July. —GNLM

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State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi joins the virtual 36th ASEAN Summit yesterday morning from Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nay Pyi Taw. PHOTO: MNA

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, State Counsellor of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar participated in the Opening Ceremony of the 36th ASEAN Summit, the 36th ASEAN Summit and ASEAN Leaders’ Special Session on Women’s Empowerment in the Digital Age which were held via videoconferences yesterday at 8 am from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nay Pyi Taw. The Opening Ceremony commenced with art performances presented by Vietnamese cultural troops. Then, Mr Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and ASEAN Chair of the year 2020 delivered inaugural address and opened the 36th ASEAN Summit.
State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi attended the 36th ASEAN Summit held at 8:30 am. The Meeting was chaired by Mr Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and attended by ASEAN Leaders and the Secretary-General of ASEAN. During the Summit, the ASEAN Leaders discussed and exchanged views on matters relating to ASEAN Community Building efforts, ASEAN’s external relations and ASEAN Centrality as well as regional and international issues.
In her intervention, the State Counsellor stated that this year’s Chairmanship’s theme of “Cohesive and Responsive ASEAN” is of great relevance to the needs of today and appropriate as ASEAN is faced with unprecedented challenges posed by COVID-19. She added that unsettled regional hotspot issues and emerging tensions and competition among major players are also destabilizing the regional landscape. She also underscored the importance of fostering ASEAN unity, ASEAN centrality and its role as a primary driving force in the evolving regional architecture. She also stressed the need for ASEAN to continue fostering closer cooperation with Dialogue Partners, to strengthen its engagement with external parties and to reach out to new potential partners who can contribute positively to ASEAN unity, ASEAN solidarity and ASEAN Community building efforts. As the outbreak of the pandemic has severely disrupted global economy and connectivity, the State Counsellor emphasized the urgent need to strengthen collective actions to recover from the impacts of COVID-19, expedite the formulation of an effective and comprehensive plan for pandemic response and recovery, and rebuild people’s confident, health, livelihood and capacity. She added that as the COVID-19 has pushed all of us towards a faster shift to digital technology and digital economy, ASEAN need to fully adapt to and harness the digital revolution and industry 4.0. In response to remarks made by the Prime Minister of Malaysia on Humanitarian situation in Rakhine State, the State Counsellor stated that Myanmar also shares the concern with regard to the situation in Rakhine State and to the other parts of our country and our region where harmony and stability are of great need. She underscored that human rights have to be founded on good human relations, mutual respect and mutual confidence. She added that ASEAN shares these values, and together ASEAN can work towards a resolution of the problem which affects not just our country or even our whole region but the whole world. She mentioned that terrorism and human trafficking are two of the dangers we face in Rakhine, and terrorism and human trafficking are dangerous issues threatening the whole world as well. She emphasized that ASEAN can work together to address these issues positively and in a way that would promote not just the stability and harmony within our region but across the whole world. State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi also attended ASEAN Leaders’ Special Session on Women’s Empowerment in the Digital Age held at 2 pm. The Special Session was chaired by Mr Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and attended by ASEAN Leaders, Madame Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, Chairwoman of the National Assembly of Viet Nam, Mdm Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of New Zealand, Mdm Armida Salshiah Alisjahbana, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and the Secretary General of ASEAN.

State Counsellor joins the virtual ASEAN Leaders’ Special Session on Women’s Empowerment in the Digital Age yesterday afternoon. PHOTO: MNA

In her statement, the State Counsellor highlighted the need to double efforts for full and effective implementation of the “ASEAN Declaration on the Gender-Responsive Implementation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and Sustainable Development Goals” which provides a clear roadmap towards inclusive and gender-equal Community. She also emphasized the importance of speeding up efforts to harness technology for women empowerment and creating more opportunity for women to get involved in designing, executing and monitoring an ASEAN Post Pandemic Recovery Plan. Making reference to a study suggesting gender-equitable ASEAN would add 28 trillion USD by 2025, the State Cousellor concluded by stressing the importance of protecting the health and well-being of women, respecting their rights and listening and giving heed to their voices, in order for ASEAN to emerge from COVID-19 as a more gender-equal community where women’s resources are enriched, accumulated and tapped for greater peace and prosperity in our region and beyond. The ASEAN Leaders’ Interface with Representatives of ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), ASEAN Leaders’ Interface with Representatives of ASEAN Youth and ASEAN Leaders’ Interface with Representatives of ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) were also held via videoconferences. At the ASEAN Leaders’ Interface with Representatives of AIPA, the ASEAN Leaders were led by ASEAN Chair Mr. Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam while the Representatives of AIPA were led by Mdm Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, Chairwoman of the National Assembly of Viet Nam and President of AIPA-41. As the Myanmar Representative of AIPA, U T Khun Myat, Speaker of Pyidaungsu Hluttaw also participated in the ASEAN Leaders’ Interface with Representatives of AIPA. During the ASEAN Summit, the Leaders issued, adopted and noted (15) documents which include, among others, Chairman’s Statement of the 36th ASEAN Summit, ASEAN Leaders’ Vision Statement on a Cohesive and Responsive ASEAN, and ASEAN Declaration on Human Resource Development for the Changing World of Work. Together with the State Counsellor, Union Minister for Investment and Foreign Economic Relations U Thaung Tun and Union Minister for International Cooperation U Kyaw Tin were present at the ASEAN Summit and ASEAN Leaders’ Special Session.—MNA

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UEC Chairman U Hla Thein (left photo) speaks during the meeting on successful holding of 2020 General Election with the political parties at the Melia Hotel in Yangon on 27 June 2020 . Photo: MNA

The Union Election Commission (UEC) and political parties held talks at Melia Hotel in Yangon yesterday morning on the successful holding of the coming 2020 General Election.
During the talks, Chairman of UEC U Hla Thein said the election for the third term of the Hluttaw will be held in the late 2020. Myanmar is now making all-inclusive efforts against Covid-19, which is a global pandemic. The designation and announcement of the date for 2020 General Election may depend on the degree of success in preventing and containing Covid-19. In accordance with the parliamentary procedure, the election date will be fixed and announced after Hluttaw-wise constituencies have been issued. The number of political parties listed for the coming general elections till now is 97. The UEC is arranging a series of meetings with political parties in all seriousness. The UEC is holding meetings with the participation of political parties, social organizations and its officials at regions and states for the parties to present their aspirations one after another in time, instead of forwarding them all at the time when they meet the UEC. While the UEC is in the process of meeting will political parties, a group formed with 30 of them asked 12 questions. As the 12 questions are concerned with all the legal parties, and not only those 30, they will be explained here.
The UEC in office has held the elections, better than the former ones. It has already made public that the coming general elections with be held under five norms. It is working with the aim of improving the elections, and promised a fair election that ensures equal opportunities for all parties under the laws and rules in force, the UEC chair said, and requested the parties to try to win seats in the elections as the ones that can be put to test. UEC will hold a free and fair elections in 2020 that is transparent and that meets the aspirations of the public desire, he assured.
The UEC chair and members gave answers and clarifications in response to the suggestions and questions raised by the political parties. The UEC chair gave the concluding remarks.
Officials of Commission Office and Yangon Region election sub-commission and 81 political parties and guests were also present.—MNA (Translated by TMT)

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Insolvency Practitioners’ Regulatory Council’s meeting is in progress at the the training school of the Union Auditor-General’s Office in Yangon on 27 June 2020. Photo: MNA

Insolvency Practitioners’ Regulatory Council held its first meeting for 2020 at the training school of the Union Auditor-General’s Office in Yangon yesterday morning.
At the meeting, Union Auditor-General U Maw Than recounted the establishment of the council on 26 March 2020 under notification 25/2020, and dealt with the formation of the practitioner certification committee, the practitioner disciplinary committee, the advisory committee or the executive committee and the council office for the effectiveness of the council’s functions. He said the regulatory committee should be formed with advocates for legal matters, accountants for financial matters, and economists for the functions. The Union Auditor-General called for inclusive participation for the successful enforcement of the Insolvency Law, which has eleven parts.
The chairman of the Advocates Council, the governor of the Central Bank of Myanmar, the president of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, a member of Securities and Exchange Commission, the patron, the chairman and the members of board of Myanmar Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the head of the Directorate of Investment and Company Administration, who are members of the Insolvency Practitioners’ Regulatory Council, took part in the discussions.
The meeting elected the Union Auditor-General as the chair of the council, acknowledged the formation of the insolvency practitioner association, and focussed on issuance of insolvency practitioner certificates soonest, and gave suggestions on priority matters.— MNA (Translated by TMT)

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Union Minister Dr Win Myat Aye presents certificates of honour for volunteers and CSOs to Yangon Region’s social affairs minister at the Damayanthi Mogok Vipassana Yeiktha’s quarantine centre in Yangon on 27 June 2020.  Photo: MNA

The National-Level Central Committee for Prevention, Control and Treatment on COVID-19 presented certificates of honour, badges, face masks and hand sanitizers to the volunteers and civil society organizations (CSOs) that are fighting against COVID-19 pandemic in Yangon and Ayeyawady regions yesterday. The central committee’s secretary and Union Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Dr Win Myat Aye was accompanied by Yangon Region’s social welfare minister, director-general of social welfare department, and officials from Yangon Region’s public health and medical services department and general administration department at the Yangon Region’s honouring ceremony. The Union Minster and party went to the Damayanthi Mogok Vipassana Yeiktha’s quarantine centre in Yangon, made offertories to Sayadaw Bhadanta Sunanda, and viewed the preparation of foods for the persons who are being quarantined at the centre.
He gave certificates of honour for volunteers and civil service organizations to the Yangon Region’s social affairs minister, and presented badges, face masks and hand sanitizers to the volunteers’ representatives. He handed over a total of K 4.38 million, K 30,000 per one, for 65 pregnant women, 26 children under five-year-old, and 54 elderly persons, to Deputy Director-General of Yangon Region’s Public Health and Medical Services Department.
In the afternoon, the Union Minister accompanied by Ayeyawady Region’s Chief Minister U Hla Moe Aung, social affairs minister, director-general of social welfare department, and officials from the region’s public health and medical services department and general administration department, went to the quarantine centres of Pathein Education College and Pathein University. At the quarantine centres, the Union Minster expressed thanks to those who participate in the processes of fighting against COVID-19. He gave certificates of honour for volunteers and civil service organizations to the Ayeyawady Region’s Chief Minister, and presented badges, face masks and hand sanitizers to the volunteers’ representatives. The ministry also provided a total of K 5.7 million, K 30,000 per one, for 79 pregnant women, 74 children under five-year-old, 33 elderly persons, and four persons with disabilities, which are handed over to an official from Ayeywady Region’s public health and medical services department at the ceremony. Yesterday’s ceremonies presented certificates of honour to 4, 657 volunteers and 224 CSOs in Yangon Region, and 9, 936 volunteers and 177 CSOs in Ayeyawady Region. If there are volunteers and philanthropic organizations that were not included in this batch, the committee will arrange additional certificates for them, according to the committee. The honouring ceremonies in Yangon and Ayeyawady regions were held in accordance with the health guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and Sports.—MNA (Translated by Kyaw Zin Tun)

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Union Minister U Ohn Win and officials inspect the thriving bamboo plants at the greening plantation in Nay Pyi Taw Council Area on 27 June 2020. Photo: MNA

U Ohn Win, Union Minister for Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation, inspected greening activities at Phohsaungtaung reserve and Ngalike reserve in Nay Pyi Taw Council Area, and Ngalike elephant camp yesterday.
At Phohsaungtaung reserve, the Union Minister examined a plot for greening programme, and viewed the growing of grass of a certain kind and bamboo at the places where erosion can take place. He spoke of the need to grow more such grass and bamboo. Afterwards, he inspected the thriving bamboo plants at the greening plantation in Nay Pyi Taw Council Area.
During the inspection of Ngalike reserve, Union Minister U Ohn Win observed a 150-acre commercial team plantation set up in 2018, weeding at another 150-acre teak plantation set up in 2019, test plantation of teak through pot tube system. He instructed officials to record the growth rate of the test plantation and to conduct weeding systematically.
The Union Minister stressed the need to replace dead saplings with the new ones at the plantations, keep systematic records of the plantations, financial accounts and statistic and keep office equipment systematically during visit to two 100-acre plantations one established in 2019 and the other in 2020 for ecosystem conservation, with the help of Myanmar Gems and Jewellry Entrepreneurs Association.
The Union Minister was conducted around the Ngalike elephant camp by officials who presented a report on laying of a forest track and a beach track, and erection of a pontoon bridge, a suspension bridge and two gorge-crossing bridges. —MNA (Translated by TMT)

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Two healthcare officials check the health condition of a woman returned from Thailand at the Myawady border on 27 June 2020. Photo : Htein Lin Aung (IPRD)

A total of 634 Myanmar migrant workers returned home on 27 June through No 2 Friendship Border Bridge in Myawady Town in Kayin State, bordering with Thailand.
All of them came back home in their own arrangements with the permission of Myanmar Embassy in the Kingdom. Kayin State Hluttaw MP U Thant Zin Aung and local officials helped the returnees with medical tests and other supplies. The number of migrant workers who returned home from abroad through this border has been 35,579 until now. The latest group of returnees included 381 males and 253 females from different regions and states.—Htein Lin Aung (IPRD) (Translated by TTN)

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Union Minister for Educaion Dr Myo Thein Gyi (right photo) speaks during the meeting on reopening of schools at the ministry in Nay Pyi Taw on 26 June 2020.  Photo: MNA

Based on the assessment reports, requirements for COVID-19 prevention and containment programmes at schools will be fulfilled before the start of the new academic year, said Union Minister for Education Dr Myo Thein Gyi at a meeting in Nay Pyi Taw on 26 this month.
Speaking at the meeting held at his ministry in connection with the reopening of schools, the Union Minister said as the school reopening date is set on 21 July, officials at all levels should facilitate arrangements for the adequacy of classrooms, desks, text books, exercise books, hand-washing basins, hand gel, toilets, non-contact infrared thermometers, based on student population, reusable masks, and PPE rooms at the schools. He also dealt with the maintenance work, health awareness campaigns, teaching courses, the minimum number of teachers and the maximum seating capacity of a classroom, curriculum assessment and backup plans.
The Union minister said stipends for students of the low-income bracket families will be increased, and the school enrolment weeks will be conducted in accordance with the COVID-19 prevention and containment rules. Quality education calls for collective effort. The ministry will open the schools as it does not want the students to lose their education opportunities, he noted.
Deputy Minister U Win Maw Tun explained measures for the success of the education programmes when the schools reopen.
Then, officials of the education sector presented matters in connection with financial allotments, development undertakings, health and safety measures at schools, and enrolment weeks. The Union Minister looked into the requirements. — MNA (Translated by TMT)

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Myanmar citizens returned from Malaysia queue for immigration process at the Yangon International Airport on 27 June 2020 . Photo: MNA

A total of 169 Myanmar nationals — 150 stranded in Malaysia, and 19 migrant workers who face difficulty to go to the worksite of Peck Chew Pilling (M) SdnBhd Company in Klang, Selangor State, Malaysia — were brought back yesterday.
Myanmar Airways International (MAI)’s relief flight had carried the Myanmar citizens to the Yangon International Airport.
The Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population, the Ministry of Health and Sports and the Yangon Region government provided the returnees proper medical examination and arranged 21-day quarantine for them.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working in line with the guidelines set by the National Central Committee on Prevention, Control and Treatment of Coronavirus Disease 2019 and cooperating with relevant ministries, Myanmar embassies abroad to repatriate Myanmar citizens stranded in other countries due to COVID-19.
Until now a total of 639 Myanmar citizens stranded in Malaysia have been brought back home. — MNA (Translated by Kyaw Zin Tun)

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Republic of the Union of Myanmar
Announcement of National-Level Central Committee
for Prevention, Control and Treatment of COVID-19

8th Waxing of First Waso, 1382 ME
27 June 2020

It is announced that the statements to public, orders, notifications, and directives (excluding eased restrictions) of Union-level organizations and Union ministries effective until 30 June 2020 for prevention, control and treatment of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) will be extended to 15 July 2020 as it is required to continue containment of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) .

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State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi wrote on her Facebook page yesterday that we didn’t feel small for our country in combatting COVID and we could conspicuously confront the challenges even though we weren’t among the wealthiest countries in the region. This was what she wrote.
The State Counsellor stressed that it’s not unusual COVID issue was overwhelming in a round of discussions at the ASEAN Summit meetings the other day; They were emphasizing upon how to better handle the post-COVID consequences in the future while tackling the current challenges; The entire world was thinking similarly and it was of vital importance to realize the same concept.
Discussing women’s affairs, they touched on the COVID impacts upon women and the roles of the women in rehabilitating of the post-COVID period. I was satisfied and wanted to share one statesman saying male individuals did not notice that they had got their places, positions and opportunities not because of their excellent performances but because they are men.
Considering this, nobody can deny that women are also working hard and excellent. We cannot deny that men take the majority of highest-level positions.
Seventy per cent of service personnel in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are the female staff. How would it be in the next ten years? I prefer a 50-50. I want to see both women and men representing our country in unison. Representing the country and taking the responsibilities of the nation, men should also actively and enthusiastically perform their duties. All male and female individuals should be interested in how to handle the issues in the world stage as for no bigger country like us. We didn’t feel small for our country in combatting COVID; We could conspicuously confront the challenges even though we weren’t among the wealthiest countries in the region; We’re announcing to extend the existing restrictions.
We need to move forward unswervingly in a middle way like a saying ‘Extremes are dangerous’. It is an advantage that we need to share each other more understanding and empathy in this journey. — GNLM

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Thai authorities hand over 75 trafficking victims to Myanmar at the Myawady-Mae Sot Friendship Bridge 2 on 26 June. Photo: MNA

A batch of 75 Myanmar nationals who were victims of human trafficking in Thailand returned home through the Myawady-Mae Sot Friendship Bridge 2 on 26 June.
Officials from Songkhla Shelter of Thailand’s Ministry of Social Development and Human Security led by Director Mr Parinwat Thitiphonthannawit handed over the victims of human trafficking together with Thai government’s cash assistance 524,417 Thai baht to the officials of Myanmar.
Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement’s Deputy Director of Rehabilitation Department U Kyaw Swar, Deputy Director of Social Welfare Department U Kyaw Thu Naing, and officials from District General Administration Department, Immigration Department, National Registration and Citizenship Department, Anti-trafficking Police Force (Myawady), Public Health Department, and Myawady People’s Hospital accepted the victims.
The returnees were being quarantined at the MoU office near Shwe Myawady Market in Myawady. Rehabilitation Department and relevant departments will fulfill the requirements of them during the 21-day quarantine.
When they are sent back to their native places, cash assistances they received from Thai government will be provided, and Rehabilitation Department will also provide K 200,000 each to all of them.
The 21-day quarantine and sending them to their native places will be arranged in accordance with the COVID-19 guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and Sports.
The two governments previously planned to hand over 79 victims, but four women victims were left as they have to go to court as witnesses. — MNA (Translated by Kyaw Zin Tun)

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Officials are presenting medical supplies to IDP camps in Rakhine.  Photo: MNA

The Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement have been carrying out prevention, control and response measures against COVID-19 at the IDP camps in the country in cooperation with the relevant departments and organizations.
Yesterday, the Ministry implemented COVID-19 preventive measures at IDP camps in Rakhine State.
Officials from the Ministry provided 11,810 bars of soap, 23,620 cloth masks, 5,844 bottles of sanitizer, 14 hand speakers, 14 thermometers, 14 memory sticks, 14 vinyl and 30 hand wash basins to the 20 temporary shelters in Mrauk-Utownship. Similarly, officials provided 11,368 cloth masks and 20 hand wash basins to the 12 temporary shelters in Kyauktaw Township, Rakhine State on 29 June.—MNA (Translated by YHT)

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The Ministry of Commerce made decisions to relax restrictions on rice export during the meeting with the Myanmar Rice Federation on 26 June.
Aiming to promote the country’s rice export and change reserved rice scheme, the ministry has given green light to export 150,000 tonnes of rice each in July and August beginning 1 July, and 100,000 tonnes of rice in September, totaling 400,000 tonnes in three months.
The ministry also urged the MRF to work for exporting 2.4 million tonnes of rice targeted in 2019-2020 financial year.
The meeting also agreed to lift restriction on the volume of rice export of companies commencing next month and to issue licences under the contracts.
As from 1 July, rice traders will require to sell only 5 per cent of export volume for state reserved rice scheme, reducing from the existing 10 per cent, with 2.5 per cent before applying for export licence and the remaining 2.5 per cent within 15 days after securing the licence.
The MoC has also allowed to extend the term of rice export licence from 45 days to 60 days.—MNA
(Translated by Aung Khin)

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All Myanmar Tatmadaw goodwill delegates and students who returned from the Russia Federation tested negative for COVID-19, according to the report of Tatmadaw True News Information Team.
Fifteen members of Myanmar Tatmadaw goodwill delegation led by Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing who attended the 75th Anniversary of Victory Day parade of Great Patriotic War in Russia and 22 students stranded in Russia arrived back at the Nay Pyi Taw airport on 25 June.
On their arrival, they were placed in home quarantines and facilities quarantines.
The Tatmadaw delegates and students were tested with Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) yesterday, and no one has tested positive for COVID-19.—MNA (Translated by Kyaw Zin Tun)

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The FAO donates teaching aid to Myanmar Forest School and Central Forestry Development Training Centre.  PHOTO: MNA

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) presented teaching materials/instructional materials to Myanmar Forest School (MFS) and Central Forestry Development Training Centre (CFDTC) yesterday.
A ceremony to hand over the teaching materials was held at the Forest Department’s Director-General Office in Nay Pyi Taw.
Director-General of Forest Department Dr Nyi Nyi Kyaw made opening remarks, and FAO’s resident representative Ms Xiaojie Fan delivered a speech at the ceremony.
FAO’s resident representative Ms Xiaojie Fan and Senior Technical Advisor of the SLM Projects Ms Xavier Bouan handed over 14 kinds of teaching materials, 120 in pieces, to the Director-General.
The director-general presented certificates of honour to the FAO’s officials. — MNA (Translated by Kyaw Zin Tun)

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Special ASEAN-Australia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on COVID-19 is held via videoconference on 30 June.  Photo: MNA

Union Minister for International Cooperation U Kyaw Tin participated in the videoconference of the Special ASEAN-Australia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on COVID-19 at 2:00 pm yesterday from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nay Pyi Taw.
The Meeting was co-chaired by Dato’ Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, Foreign Minister of Malaysia as Country Coordinator of the ASEAN-Australia Dialogue Relations and Madame Marise Payne, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Women of Australia. The meeting was attended by ASEAN Foreign Ministers and the Secretary-General of ASEAN.
At the meeting, the Ministers underscored the importance of enhancing ASEAN- Australia cooperation in three areas of mutual interests namely health security, stability and economic recovery. The Ministers appreciated the substantial ASEAN-Australia cooperation and welcomed a package of initiatives to strengthen ASEAN- Australia partnership on COVID-19 response and recovery. The Ministers also discussed to continue cooperation through ASEAN-led regional mechanisms to mitigate the health, economic and social impacts of COVID-19.
Union Minister U Kyaw Tin updated the meeting on the measures taken by the Government to control the pandemic and mitigate its economic impacts and to ensure early recovery. He added that despite limitation in its resources, Myanmar has been able to keep COVID-19 under control thanks to early response and the Whole-of-Nation approach taken by the Government in addressing health and socio-economic impacts of COVID-19. He also apprised the meeting of the Government’s rigorous efforts in mobilizing peoples’ participation and taking preventive and control measures for vulnerable segments including IDPs by adhering to the principle of “leaving no one behind” in the fight against the pandemic.
With regard to strengthening the ASEAN-Australia cooperation in addressing the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Union Minister welcomed Australia’s commitment to use over 630 million USD to support the global effort to fight COVID- 19. The Union Minister highlighted the importance of strengthening ASEAN-Australia cooperation in public health and digital health to facilitate adaptation to the new normal, expediting upgradation of the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (ANNZFTA) to revitalize the regional economies and the expeditious conclusion of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.
As migrant workers are one of the groups most affected by COVID-19, the Union Minister also stressed the need to foster closer cooperation to mitigate the socio-economic impacts fall upon migrant workers during the time when businesses are facing economic hardships.
The Co-Chairs’ Statement of the Special ASEAN-Australia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on COVID-19 was issued at the meeting. Also present at the meeting were senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Health and Sports. —MNA

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Union Minister Dr Than Myint holds meeting with Myanmar commercial attachés from foreign countries on three-year trade promotion plans between Myanmar and respective countries.  Photo: MNA

Union Minister for Commerce Dr Than Myint held a Zoom with Myanmar commercial attaché from foreign countries yesterday, discussing three-year trade promotion plans between Myanmar and the respective countries.
Myanmar commercial attaché in China’s Beijing, Nanning and Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, India, the United States, and Belgium participated in the video-meeting.
Speaking at the meeting, Union Minister Dr Than Myint said COVID-19 has affected all sectors of the countries around the world including Myanmar, especially job opportunity.
Based on agriculture, the government in cooperation with the public is making efforts to increase local purchase demand and get production sufficient, he added.
The Union Minister also instructed the commercial attaches to present reports on their staying countries’ economic recovery procedures in post-COVID-19 period and market conditions.
The ministry’s Deputy Minister said the main duty of commercial attaches is to improve our country’s trade and investment.
He adds that commercial attaches are those who are sent abroad representing Myanmar, therefore, they need to observe government’s policies and the ministry’s procedures and activities to answer the questions on development progress in Myanmar raised by businesspersons and organizations.
He also urged the commercial attaches to try their best analyzing the country’s capability for trading and investing, and make strenuous efforts to assist the nation’s economic development.
Commercial attaches reported on their three-year trade and investment plans, trade opportunities and challenges, and strengths and weaknesses.
The Union Minister and the Deputy Minister coordinated the reported matters. — MNA (Translated by Kyaw Zin Tun)

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Central Committee for Organizing Union Peace Conference meets for preparatory works on 30 June. Photo: MNA

The Central Committee for Organizing Union Peace Conference-21st Panglong held a meeting at the Ministry of State Counsellor Office yesterday.
Union Minister U Kyaw Tint Swe, in his capacity as the Vice-Chairman of Committee, Union Ministers Lt-Gen Soe Htut, Lt-Gen Ye Aung, U Kyaw Tin, Dr Pe Myint, U Thant Sin Maung, Dr Myint Htwe, U Ohn Maung, Peace Commission Chairman Dr Tin Myo Win, Nay Pyi Taw Council Chairman Dr Myo Aung, Deputy Minister U Khin Maung Tin and U Maung Maung Win, Police Lt-Gen Aung Win Oo of Myanmar Police Force, permanent secretaries, the directors-general and officials.
Union Minster U Kyaw Tint Swe explained plans for holding of the upcoming peace conference in new normal and discussions with EAOs and their agreements on reduction of overall participants to one-third.
Director-General U Zaw Htay also presented preparatory plans for the peace conference.
The Union Ministers of respective committees discussed invitations, accommodation, transportation, security, press and information, healthcare, banking and coordination works for the peace conference.—MNA (Translated by Aung Khin)

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