Mizzima
The Myanmar Ambassador to United Nations Kyaw Moe Tun has called on the international community during the General Debate of the 2024 ECOSOC Financing for Development Forum in New York on 25 April to provide political and economic support for his country steeped in crisis.
The following is his statement:
Madam President,
Myanmar aligns itself with the statements delivered on behalf of the ASEAN, the LDCs the G77, and China respectively.
Successful implementation of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda (AAAA) and its seven action areas remains key to achieving the SDGs. The 2024 Financing for Sustainable Development Report highlighted fiscal constraints, debt distress and acute financing needs of many developing countries. The 4th International Conference on FFD should, therefore, strengthen international cooperation on addressing financing gaps, accelerate urgent actions to implement the 2030 Agenda and reform the international financial architecture.
As embodied by the AAAA, individual member states bear the primary responsibility of paving their own path toward realizing sustainable development while the international community provides an enabling environment and complementary support.
Unfortunately, in my country, Myanmar, the illegal military coup in February 2021 has dismantled our prospects of realizing the SDGs, even the future of our youth. The people of Myanmar are experiencing various grave sufferings due to the military junta’s atrocities. In this regard, I wish to highlight the following action areas of the AAAA in the country.
Domestic Public Resources: The deteriorating economic situation, inflation, rising food prices, worsening humanitarian situation, and mass displacement have forced the population to focus more on survival over investment and growth. UNDP reported that almost half of the population was living below the national poverty line in 2023. The middle class is disappearing, indicating growing polarization in society. Moreover, the crowding out of human capital investment threatens to undermine the future re-emergence of the middle class.
At the same time, the total breakdown of the rule of law and rampant corruption has exacerbated the illicit economy including online scams. UNODC reported that Myanmar became the world’s largest opium producer by the end of 2023. According to UNCTAD, up to $1,347 million in inward illicit financial flows have been generated from the potential exports of opiates.
Domestic and international private business and finance: The World Bank reported that financial sector reforms have also stagnated and are in danger of being reversed after the illegal military coup. Microfinance institutions were impacted by the subsequent domestic banking crisis, affecting 5 million customers including many MSMEs.
Besides, the recent unlawful forced conscription of the military junta has pushed many youth, including those working in the private sector, into hiding and fleeing the country.
In conclusion, Madam President, Myanmar is currently at the intersection of political, economic, and developmental crises. Cooperation and effective assistance from the international community should be conflict-sensitive and tailored to the aspirations of our people. It is crystal clear that ending the military dictatorship and building a federal democratic union is the only way forward to create a conducive environment to the successful implementation of the AAAA and the 2030 Agenda, above all to the peace and stability in Myanmar.
