Protection of marine resources: Union Minister joins China-Indian Ocean Region Forum

Union Minister for International Cooperation U Ko Ko Hlaing participated in the China-Indian Ocean Region Forum on Development and Cooperation via video conferencing on 21st November.

The forum was chaired by Chairman of China International Development Cooperation Agency of the People’s Republic of China, and co-chaired by the Governor of Yunnan Provincial Government. The forum was held under the theme of “Development for All, Theories and Practices from the Perspective of Blue Economy”, featuring with two sessions: “Blue Economy Potential and Challenges” and “Development under Blue Economy”.

Various level of representatives such as Former President, Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, Directors-General and representatives from 20 Countries of the Indian Ocean Region as well as from the think tank sectors participated in the said forum.

At his speech, the Union Minister stated that Myanmar encourages inside and outside of the country to explore the possible priority areas of investments for promoting blue economy in Myanmar and welcomes the technical assistance as well as support from the participating countries concerned with ocean governance and digital transformation development on blue economy to lay down the innovative blue economic policy.

While expressing Myanmar’s willingness to cooperate with Indian Ocean Rim countries to mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change and economic stagnation, he concluded by encouraging the participating countries to move forward with development projects based on the ocean, facilitating connectivity, enhancing trade and economic cooperation in line with the agreed principles and to strengthen the partnership to minimize the challenges concerned with blue economy by working together on the issues such as reducing poverty alleviation and environmental problems.

Similarly, the participants also delivered remarks on opportunities and challenges of blue economy and good practices for protection of marine ecology and biodiversity as well as their national efforts to facilitate the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Furthermore, they expressed their deep concerns over the climate change, loss of marine biodiversity and marine pollution.

In the second session, participants shared their points of views on the matters in relation to the approaches of economic development and ways and means for protection of marine resources.