It is imperative to fight fake news, develop the art of propagating via media and counter efforts to exert foreign influence.
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing noted that it is necessary to emphasize more flexible and good adaptation in the age of a multipolar world to be able to conduct diplomatic relations through the use of practical approaches.
The opening ceremony of the Challenges and the Opportunities Myanmar Will Have in the Multipolar World Beyond 2025 took place at the Myanmar International Convention Centre I in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday morning, with an address by Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.
Foreign experts were introduced individually. The forum was opened with the song and dance of artistes from the Fine Arts Department. Attendees watched a video clip on Myanmar and new landscapes in 2025.
Speaking on the occasion, the Senior General said: The world has undergone a paradigm shift to a multipolar world order. Just as we are witnessing the changes in the patterns by which the superpowers exert their influence on international relations, we are also beholding the increasingly important role of the regional blocs. In other words, the paradigm has been shifted from globalization to regionalization.
Previously, the world was dominated by only one superpower but now the pattern has been shifted from solitary dominance to collective leadership of many nations and blocs. This is what we now know as the multipolar world order. Nations such as China, India and Russia and a bloc like the European Union have developed by leaps and bounds and they are challenging the domination of the world by the superpowers.
Nowadays, the power is diverging to many nations and certain regional blocs, thereby striking a proper balance between and among the nations, depriving the world of power imbalance. At the same time, the influential nations are bent more on struggling to exert influence than on resolution of the international issues.
Under the multipolar world order, nations will be required to adapt themselves to suit the new geopolitical and geoeconomic conditions. To be able to fit into the transformational process comfortably and conveniently, the nations are required to make preparations and formulate the proper strategy.
In the first place, the strategic autonomy is needed. It is essential for the nations to avoid depending too much upon an individual superpower, extending the relations with the friend nations. Then only, decision-making will be flexible and the unnecessary pressures can be resisted with the synergic forces of the friends. The term friends refers not only to the nations but also to the regional blocs.
In extending relations with friends, it is essential to formulate arrangements that will develop sustainably. The ties shall be further strengthened in economic, security and technological fields. Concerning economic relations in particular, we all need to adapt ourselves to suit the changing situations in the new world order.
Plus, we must reduce overdependence on one market only. It is necessary to extend the trade relations to diversified regions. To be able to mitigate the losses that can arise from the global disruption, the regional economic integration is indispensable. Participation is imperative to strengthen the regional supply chains. To ensure the safety of the national interests, emphasis is to be laid upon investments in such major sectors as food, energy and technology.
And what is more, technology and digital sovereignty are also the two sectors which are worth investing in. Technology has become a fundamental sector in the competition of the multipolar world order. Such particular technologies as Artificial Intelligence (AI), semiconductors and cybersecurity are the determining technologies. This being so, it is indispensable to keep strategic technological partners to cooperate in such sectors as artificial intelligence and the digital economy.
We ought to be more flexible and good at adaptation in the age of a multipolar world to be able to conduct diplomatic relations through the use of practical approaches.
Another sector which is worth considering seriously is energy and resource security. Exploration and exploitation of energy, water and rare metals have become vitally important to sustainable stability. We must therefore make investments in renewable energy, nuclear and other energy sectors. Arrangements are to be made to ensure a sufficient supply of rare metals and food security which can be disrupted by geopolitical causes.
Concerning the sociocultural sector, internal stability has become important as the power dynamic is shifting fast in the age of a multipolar world. It is imperative to fight fake news, develop the art of propagating via media and counter efforts to exert foreign influence. With the swift changes in the global economy, we have to invest in human resources to go along with the tide to survive. I would like to point out that the workforce needs to be properly educated and trained.
This forum will involve discussions and suggestions by seasoned experts from China, India, Russia, Thailand, Nepal, Japan and Italy, and so, this forum will contribute a lot towards turning Myanmar into a modern, developed nation beyond 2025. Your experts are expected to provide guidance, ways of showing and strategies for Myanmar.
And the international experts will witness the real situation while in Myanmar. I hope you will witness the true image of our country which is totally different from the distorted images through the use of fake and false news and views.
The Senior General expressed his recognition and appreciation to the Ministry of Information and the “Myanmar Narrative Think Tank” for their timely efforts in organizing this important discussion.
He said he wished for Myanmar to be connected with the international community while accurately representing its true image and fostering stronger friendships and mutual understanding.
The Senior General continued his discussions, saying that Myanmar and its neighbouring countries have a population of nearly four billion, accounting for approximately 50 per cent of the world’s population. This presents a strong market for exporting the country’s goods. Therefore, it is essential to effectively utilize the available resources within the country and strive to maximize their inherent value.
The armed conflict remains like an inextinguishable fire, not due to internal affairs alone but because of foreign encouragement and interference. As a result, Myanmar, despite having many opportunities, has lagged in development. These challenges can be transformed into opportunities and advantages, which ultimately contribute to fostering a love for our country, nurturing the Myanmar spirit, and building unity and strength. Without unity, no economic system can succeed, and no political system can firmly lead the nation.
Only when stability and peace are maintained will foreign investments flow into the country. It is necessary to provide guarantees for investment activities. This, in turn, will lead to the growth of the country’s GDP and the overall development of the economy. He said he is striving to continue advancing a multiparty democratic system that aligns with the will of the people and the country’s foundations. Moreover, the legitimate demands of ethnic groups are addressed in accordance with the law.
The Senior General presented medals to mark the forum to foreign experts and scholars.
Experts in geopolitics and geoeconomics from China, Russia, India, Japan, Thailand, Italy, and Nepal, along with local experts, participated in discussions on three topics “The Role of Myanmar and Asia in a Changing Geopolitical World”, “Geoeconomic Challenges and Promising Opportunities Myanmar will face beyond 2025”, and “Geopolitical Challenges and Promising Opportunities for Myanmar Beyond 2025”.
The opening ceremony of the forum was also attended by Council Joint Secretary General Ye Win Oo, council members, Union ministers, union-level dignitaries, Ambassadors of foreign embassies to Myanmar and officials, the Nay Pyi Taw Council chairman, senior Tatmadaw officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief and deputy ministers.
The discussion forum was reportedly held to inform the world about Myanmar’s actual situation amid political transitions, fostering understanding and cooperation with Myanmar through empathy, countering false accusations to enhance the country’s image and preparing for the challenges and opportunities that may arise in the evolving multipolar world beyond 2025.
MNA/TTA
#TheGlobalNewLightOfMyanmar