ASEAN Regional Workshop: MCRD UM delivered the opening address

To enhance knowledge sharing, encourage regional cooperation, and accelerate inclusive and sustainable rural transformation across ASEAN, the Department of Rural Development under the Ministry of Cooperatives and Rural Development, serving as the host, held the ASEAN Smart Village Project on Rural Transformation Towards a Sustainable and Prosperous Future.

The event took place in the morning of December 4 at the Grand Ballroom of THE ERAVATI SULE GRAND Hotel in Yangon. The ceremony commenced with the singing of the National Anthem of Myanmar and the ASEAN Anthem. At the event, Union Minister U Hla Moe delivered the opening address.

He stated that Myanmar's rural transformation is being carried out in line with the Myanmar Comprehensive Sustainable Development Plan. As the leading ministry for rural development, the Ministry of Cooperatives and Rural Development is striving for the rural transformation of the 69% of the population living in rural areas.

In this endeavor, practically implementing the Territorial Rural Development approach, the ministry is working on six major sectors through the SMART Village project: developing rural infrastructure, providing inputs and financial services, promoting livelihoods and enhancing village economies, strengthening community-based organizations and disseminating technology, providing social protection, and conserving the natural environment, etc.

Following this, a pre-recorded video message from Deputy Secretary-General U San Lwin of the ASEAN Secretariat was shown, along with a documentary video on the implementation of the Modern Model Village Establishment Project by the Department of Rural Development under the Ministry of Cooperatives and Rural Development.

Subsequently, Mr. Shihab Uddin Ahamad, Country Director of ActionAid, delivered a keynote speech titled "Rethinking Rural Development in a Transforming ASEAN." A group photo was then taken, and the ceremony was concluded. Afterwards, representatives from ASEAN member countries in attendance continued the discussions by dividing into four panel sessions.

The topics covered sustainable development and rural transformation within the ASEAN region, promoting rural economies through innovative livelihoods, building a future of strong connectivity, and enhancing the capacities of rural communities for a resilient future.

This ASEAN Regional Workshop on Rural Transformation through the Establishment of Modern Model Villages will be held from December 4 to 5, 2025. In the afternoon of December 5, participants will embark on a study visit to Ye Mon Model Village in Hlegu Township, the Vegetable and Fruit Research Center, and the Myanmar Handicrafts Center, it’s reported.