Union Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Dr Soe Win, who arrived in Arkhangelsk, Russia, to attend the Arctic Region Safety Exercise Programme 2025, participated in a commemorative ceremony at the Russian Patriots’ Memorial on the morning of 29 January.

Also present at the event were Russia’s Deputy Minister for Civil Defence, Emergency Situations, and Disaster Management, the Mayor of Arkhangelsk and ministers, deputy ministers and officials from 25 countries including Belarus, China, Cambodia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Vietnam. During the event, the Union minister joined other attendees in observing a moment of silence and laid a commemorative wreath.

In the afternoon, the Union minister visited the northern Dvina Riverbank in Arkhangelsk, where a rescue drill was set to take place. He observed modern rescue equipment used for ice search-and-rescue operations and examined emergency shelters and medical facilities for victims.

Union Minister Dr Soe Win then watched a simulated rescue operation involving an international cargo ship stranded in Arctic ice. The exercise demonstrated the use of drones, icebreaker vehicles, helicopters and ambulances in collaboration between Russia and its partner countries.

Following the drill, the Union minister held a meeting with Russia’s Deputy Minister for Civil Defence, Emergency Situations and Disaster Management. During the discussion, the Russian side reaffirmed continued cooperation in disaster management. He noted that Myanmar is the only Southeast Asian country with glaciers and that despite logistical challenges in providing emergency relief in such regions, the exercise had been a valuable learning experience. He further stated Myanmar’s commitment to ongoing collaboration in disaster response initiatives.

MNA/KZL

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