THE Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement held ceremony to mark 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence via videoconferencing yesterday morning.

The ceremony was attended by Union Minister Dr Win Myat Aye, Deputy Minister U Soe Aung, Chairpersons of the Women and Children Affairs Committee of Pyithu and Amyotha Hluttaws, Deputy Chairman and members of Myanmar National Human Rights Commission, United Nations Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator Mr Ola Almgren, Myanmar National Committee for Women’s Affairs, chairpersons of women committees from Nay Pyi Taw, States and Regions, the Directors-General, Deputy Directors-General and officials of the department concerned, country representatives of UN organizations, INGOs, NGOs and the civilian organizations.

During the ceremony, the Union Minister said the ceremony for 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence has been holding in Myanamar since 2018, and the country reports 51.81 per cent of the female population and so the measures to prevent the violence against women have postive impacts on the development and protections for all citizens.

The Union Minister discussed the membership of UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, ASEAN Committee on Women Affairs, ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Children, implementation of ASEAN Regional Plan of Action of Elimination on Violence against Women like other ASEAN regions between 2016 and 2019, 4 policies and 12 working plans of MNCWA, National Strategic Plan (2013-2022) for women advancement and drafting phase (2) as the strategic plan will expire in 2022.

He also talked about the formation of the national committee and the working committee on prevention and addressing conflict-related sexual violence, setting up of 24hours Help Line service in 2016, cash assistance and arrangement for the accommodation of the victims, the establishment of One-Stop Wom en Support Centres in Yangon, Mandalay, Mawlamyine, Lashio, Kayah and Monywa, the appointment of 250 Case Managers and this year’s theme “Orange the World: Fund, Response, Prevent, Collect.”

He also stressed the concerted efforts to do in line with the theme like collecting data and fund-raising to provide more cash assistance in preventing gender-based violence as it can be supposed the numbers of domestic violence are increasing, the statement of Union Accord of the Union Peace Conference-21st Century Panglong Conference including gender equality, policy to prevent gender based violence in building the federal democratic union, amendment and revise of law if necessary, drafting of law for Protection and Prevention of Violence against Women, 30 per cent of women participation according to Union Accord for gender equality and further cooperation for the development of all women including the ones from border areas.

Then, UN Resident Coordinator Mr Ola Almgren made a greeting speech and then video clip of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence was played.

MNA

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(Translated by Khine Thazin Han)

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THE Ministry of Construction held a ceremony to mark 134 years of Public Works Department in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday morning in accordance with the health rules of National-Level Central Committee on Prevention, Control and Treatment of COVID-19 and the Ministry of Health and Sports.

Union Minister U Han Zaw, Deputy Minister Dr Kyaw Linn, Permanent Secretary U Shwe Lay, the Directors-General and Deputy Directors-General, invited guests and other officials, Chief Engineers and Directors of department joined the ceremony online from their respective regions and states.

During the ceremony, Union Minister U Han Zaw congratulated on 134th ceremony of Public Works Department (PWD) which fulfilled the needs of roads, bridges, housings and apartments for the public and discussed the reorganization of the Ministry of Construction with Department of Building, Department of Highway, Department of Bridge, Department of Urban Housing and Development and Department of Rural Road Development in 2017, the important role of these departments in implementing the basic infrastructure for the development of the country, appreciation those who serve dutifully under the ministry to date, plans to stand as the outstanding ministry which constructs quality roads, bridges and buildings across the nation and serves for the development of engineering sector including researches, innovation and technology, efforts of ministry in providing technology and machines to develop the socio-economic status of public according to the objectives of the ministry.

Then, Deputy Minister Dr Kyaw Linn briefed the activities of ministry while the five departments under the ministry respectively presented their one-year performance in 2019-2020 via videos.

The Union Minister, Deputy Minister and other officials awarded the outstanding trainees, staff who serve dutifully for the ministry, students who passed the matriculation examination with distinctions in 2019-2020 academic year and presented certificates of honour to the retired senior officers.

Then, the Union Minister and party inspected the structural model of bridges, including Pathein Bridge (2).

MNA

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(Translated by Khine Thazin Han)

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THE COVAX National Coordinating Committee under the Ministry of Health and Sports held its first meeting via videoconferencing yesterday.

During the meeting, Union Minister Dr Myint Htwe discussed the systematic immunization plan for the target priority groups when the COVID-19 vaccine is available, formation of COVAX National Coordinating Committee (CNCC), COVAX National Technical Working Group (CTWG) and National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG), efforts of Gavi-the Vaccine Alliance to access the vaccine at low price or free via COVAX Facility for 20 per cent of the country’s population, negotiations with Gavi-the Vaccine Alliance and WHO to receive vaccine Myanmar, the duties of public to follow the health rules, procurement of vaccine with the government’s budget, cash assistance of Gavi-the Vaccine Alliance and World Bank loan, plans to allow private hospitals and clinics for vaccination, cooperation works with Ministry of Home Affairs and Customs Department to prevent from receiving substandard vaccine, programmes to use only the vaccine recognized by WHO and FDA, plans to ban other vaccine without any guarantee for quality, advices of NITAG regarding Adverse event following immunization (AEFI), transport system, effectiveness, numbers of vaccination and immune response.

He also talked about the arrangement for ultra-cold storage as some of the vaccines are needed to be kept at minus 70 degrees C, the experience of ministry in immunization campaign especially in the expanded programme on immunization, first priority groups depending on the age and regions where have high infection rate, message to the Gavi-the Vaccine Alliance to send the vaccine no later than 7 December of this year and the importance of cooperation works for this process.

Then, the health officials including Deputy Minister Dr Mya Lay Sein, Permanent Secretary Prof Dr Thet Khaing Win and NITAG Chairman Dr Soe Lwin Nyein respectively briefed the plans and arrangement regarding the procurement of vaccine, ultra-cold storage system, digital system and target groups for vaccination and role of media for information.

The Union Minister concluded the meeting after saying the importance of information, communication and digitalization for all health plans, vaccine-related diploma courses and online capacity building classes.

MNA

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(Translated by Khine Thazin Han)

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THE 18th ASEAN-Japan Transport Ministers Meeting and the 11th ASEAN- Republic of Korea Transport Ministers Meeting were held through video conferencing yesterday morning.

Union Minister for Transport and Communications U Thant Sin Maung, the Permanent Secretary, senior officials and departmental officials of the Ministry along with the transport ministers from the respective countries, officials and the ASEAN Secretary-General participated in the meetings.

The 18th ATM+ Japan Meeting discussed the development of tourist cruises with good service to be implemented by 2021 as a priority of the 27 ASEAN-Japan Transport Cooperation projects; establishing the necessary business guidelines for the improvement of ASEAN regional waterways and safe navigation of regional vessels; development of necessary guidelines for enhancing the capacity of container handling ports and the safe operation of small vessels in the ASEAN region as a new initiative between ASEAN and Japan; The meeting also discussed and approved the New Action Plan on Environmental Improvement to reduce the environmental impact of the transport sector.

At the 11th ATM+ROK Meeting, they discussed the projects to be implemented from 2021 to 2025 according to the ASEAN-Korea Transport Cooperation Roadmap, the feasibility study for the upgrade of the Yangon-Mandalay Expressway and the Yangon-Pathein-Ngayotekaung Road according to the ASEAN-Korea cooperation to Myanmar, and the feasibility study for the construction of the War-Tayar Bridge.

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(Translated by Ei Phyu Phyu Aung)

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MYANMAR Investment Commission (MIC) held its regular meeting (15/2020) via videoconferencing system, yesterday morning. Chairman of the MIC, Union Minister U Thaung Tun and members of the Commission participated in the meeting.

The meeting approved six new projects in the agriculture, livestock and fisheries, manufacturing and other services sector as well as additional investment in five existing projects. The approved projects amounted to USD (73.820) million, Kyats (673.200) million and (3,300) job opportunities are expected to be created.

By the end of October 2020, the countries with the largest investments in Myanmar are Singapore, People's Republic of China and Thailand. The power sector accounted for 26.14%. This was followed by the oil and gas sector, accounting for 26.05 % and the manufacturing sector, accounting for 14.56 % of the total permitted amount of foreign investment.

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THE Second Foreign Office Consultations between the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and the Republic of Korea was held on 25 November 2020 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nay Pyi Taw. The meeting was co-chaired by U Chan Aye, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Myanmar and Mr Kim Gunn, Deputy Minister for Political Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea.

At the meeting, they discussed matters on promotion of friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries, cooperation in the sectors of infrastructure, human resources development and socio-economic development of Myanmar, Korea’s support to Myanmar in the fight against COVID-19, situation in Rakhine State and peace process of Myanmar and cooperation in regional and multilateral arenas. They also deliberated on strengthening relations between ASEAN countries and the Republic of Korea in line with its New Southern Policy Plus and further cooperation related matters to dispatch Myanmar workers to ROK under EPS system.

Permanent Secretary U Chan Aye hosted the working dinner to the Korean delegation at the Park Royal Hotel in Nay Pyi Taw.

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A combined team arrested the fishermen who did illegal electrofishing to prevent the Ayeyawady dolphins from extinction, according to the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Myanmar.

Under the one-year Ayeyawady dolphin conservation patrolling plan, the joint team conducted the patrolling from 1 to 15 November.

The patrolling was conducted near Nyaung Bin Thar village in Singu Township, Mandalay Region on 3 November, near Pauk Gone village on 10 November and near Sei Thae Taung village on 12 November. The team confiscated the illegal electrofishing equipment and the accessories as well as three motored fishing boats and handed them all over to the Singu Township Fisheries Department. Besides, the team has also confiscated the illegal electrofishing equipment and the accessories as well as one motored fishing boat near Nga Pak Chaung village in Wetlet Township on 13 November and handed them all over to the Shwebo District Fisheries Department.

The electrofishing equipment and the accessories, four motored fishing boats, and four batteries were seized on the first 15 days of the third month under annual Ayeyawady dolphin conservation patrolling plan.

The combined team comprised of the employees from the Fisheries Department, Environment and Endangered Aquatic Species Conservation Department, Madaya Township Fisheries Department, Singu Township Fisheries Department, Kanbalu Township Fisheries Department, No. 1 Mandalay Region’s Marine Administration Department and the local Ayeyawady Dolphin Conservation Team.

By Nyein Nyein

Translated by Hay Mar

PHOTO: WCS MYANMAR

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THE Heads of Civil Service for the 20th ACCSM and the 5th Heads of Meeting for ACCSM Plus Three organised by Office of Civil Service Commission, Thailand as the 2019-2020 rotated chair of ASEAN Cooperation on Civil Service Matters (ACCSM) have been held via videoconferencing yesterday morning and afternoon.

U Win Thein, Chairman of the Union Civil Service Board, alongside all Heads of Civil Service Matters from ASEAN Member States, attended these meetings. At the Opening Session, Mr M.L.Patcharapakorn, Secretary-General of Office of the Civil Service Commission, Thailand delivered Opening Remarks.

During the meetings, the Heads of Civil Service discussed matters regarding the Civil Service Affairs particularly the consultations arising from the results of the Senior Officials Meeting for 20th ACCSM held on 17 November 2020; giving suggestions and recommendations for next five years for the effective implementation based on assessing the working activities under the ACCSM Work Plan (2016-2020); adopting the progress of ACCSM deliverables achieved during the Thailand’s ACCSM Chairmanship such as ACCSM Work Plan (2021-2025) and ASEAN Plus Three Work Plan (2021-2025); and considering on confirmed decisions from ACCSM sector and other relevant decisions from sectoral bodies’ meetings and ASEAN Summits.

In sharing experiences concerning leadership roles to achieve good healthcare system under COVID-19 outbreak situations, Chairman U Win Thein highlighted such Myanmar’s experiences that Myanmar has comprised of National Central Committee on COVID-19 Prevention; Control and Treatment, and under the guidance of this Committee COVID-19 Prevention; Control and Emergency Response is monitoring and caring those people infected by coronavirus and relating contact persons; controlling processes on community quarantine if necessary, providing food; health care and motivation processes, outlining COVID-19 Economic Relief Plan (CERP) and its Action Plan to solve inadequate food and shelter issues; and unemployment problems, and implementing cooperation in ASEAN region grounded on the type of e-development form. And, there have success fully launched on “Training and Development in the Age of COVID-19 Challenges and Opportunities” and the “Building ASEAN Public Service Capabilities for the Future” through ASEAN Network of Public Service Training Institutes (PSTIs). He also shared the UCSB’s experiences on conducting the Basic Course for Junior Civil Service Officers delivering the lectures to 100 trainees at each Central Institute of Civil Service via online.

As the incoming 21st ACCSM chair is assigned to Viet Nam, Viet Nam has discussed its preparation on its Chairmanship and related activities including the proposed theme, calendar of activities and venue.

Together with the Chairman of the Union Civil Service Board, six delegates were presented to the above-mentioned Meetings and prior to these Meetings, Senior Officials Meeting for the 20th ACCSM and the 5th Senior Officials Meeting for ASEAN Plus Three had also been conducted through video conferencing on 17th November 2020.

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UNION Minister for Construction U Han Zaw presided over the 4th meeting of the leading committee on construction of elevated expressways and outer ring road in Yangon yesterday afternoon.

The Zoom meeting was also participated by the committee members and Union Ministers U Thant Sin Maung, U Win Khaing, U Soe Win, its secretary Deputy Minister Dr Kyaw Lin, departmental heads and officials from Nay Pyi Taw, and Yangon Region Chief Minister U Phyo Min Thein and Regional Minister for Electricity, Industry, Transport and Communication Daw Nilar Kyaw from Yangon.

The phase (1) of elevated expressway project will have a total length of 27.5 kilometre at an estimated cost of US$800 million.

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the member of the World Bank, is working as the consultant group for the project.

The IFC has evaluated the technical and financial proposals from the 10 companies which passed preliminary tests for the project.

The meeting discussed cooperation of relevant ministries in the project.

The elevated expresswayproject will be implemented by the Ministry of Construction and the Yangon Region Government under the public-private partnership system.

The phase (1) of the 27.5-km long project will include a 19-km long four-lane way in the eastern part of the city, 6-km long four-lane way from east to west and 2.5-km long two-lane way connecting to Yangon International Airport to reduce traffic congestion in the city.

MNA

Translated by Aung Khin

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THE Ministry of Health and Sports presided over the 17th Myanmar Health Sector Coordination Committee (M-HSCC) meeting via videoconferencing on 17 November.

During the meeting, Union Minister Dr Myint Htwe, in his capacity as the chairman of M-HSCC, discussed the ongoing healthcare activities especially in immunization campaign, preventive measures for non-communicable disease and health awareness campaigns together with COVID-19 containment measures, further plans and strategy of ministry, completion of the plans and the key role of basis healthcare workers in conducting public health campaigns.

He also stressed the practical procedures including different opinions of UN organizations and NGOs, distribution of procedures, policies, strategies and reports of the ministry to the committee members, funds of UN organizations and allocation of budgets in healthcare services.

The attendees to the meeting made their discussions, and officials presented the update news regarding the funds of Gavithe Vaccine Alliance, World Bank, Access to health, USAID, ADB, JICA and UNOPS to Myanmar.

The Union Minister appreciated the participation of the committee members and other relevant organizations in COVID-19 measures of the ministry and then he concluded the meeting.

MNA

Translated by Khaing Thazin Han

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