Belt and Road Cooperation: Combating Pandemic For Sustainable Recovery

Union Minister for Foreign Affairs U Wunna Maung Lwin participated in the High-level Video Conference on Belt and Road Cooperation on Combating the Pandemic for Sustainable Recovery on Wednesday evening from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The conference was chaired by Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Mr. Wang Yi and high-ranking officials from 29 countries and high-level representatives from the United Nations attended. The participants shared their national efforts in addressing the challenges of COVID-19 pandemic and approaches to sustainable economic recovery in post COVID-19 era.

They also exchanged views on building a green silk road by maintaining the balanced ecosystem, enhancing green infrastructure development, responding to the climate change in united efforts, and transforming countries’ economies to be environmentally responsive.

The Union Minister highlighted Myanmar’s responses to COVID-19 and impact of pandemic on economy. He stressed the significance of fair and transparent manner in global distribution of COVID vaccines and encouraged international financial institutions and development partners to provide financial assistance for least developed and developing countries in vaccine procurement process.

Furthermore, the Union Minister expressed his appreciation to the Government of the People’s Republic of China for its assistance to Myanmar in the fight against the pandemic. Subsequently, with regard to promoting a green silk road for sustainable development, that Union Minister stated Myanmar’s endeavours in fostering green and sustainable growth of the country in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Moreover, he also encouraged BRI members to strengthen the BRI development projects, to transform climate friendly economies and to enhance cooperation in pursuing the development of a green silk road.

At the conference, “Initiative for Belt and Road Partnership on COVID-19 Vaccines Cooperation” and “Initiative for Belt and Road Partnership on Green Development” were jointly launched by participating countries.