On July 16, more than 500 people are feared to have died after two boats carrying mostly Rohingya refugees reportedly disappeared or sank off the coast of Myanmar, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the UN refugee agency (UNHCR).
Category: Myanmar
New Seed Restrictions and Mechanisation Support Announced for Myanmar’s Cotton Sector
On July 16, the Myanmar government issued an official warning prohibiting the sale, distribution and replanting of F2 hybrid cotton seeds, while simultaneously rolling out new agricultural mechanisation support for cotton farmers.
Myanmar Foreign Minister Makes First ASEAN Appearance Since 2021 Coup, Pitches Government Priorities
On July 12, Myanmar’s Union Minister for Foreign Affairs, U Tin Maung, presented his government’s priorities on stability, security and development agenda during the informal ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting, amid continuing regional concern over the country’s continuing domestic instability.
Myanmar’s Fruit Gathering Won Crystal Globe at Karlovy Vary International Film Festival
On July 11, Myanmar filmmaker Aung Phyoe won the Crystal Globe, the highest award at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (KVIFF), for his debut feature Fruit Gathering. The prestigious prize was presented during the festival’s closing ceremony on Saturday in the Czech spa town of Karlovy Vary.
Philippines Balances Myanmar Peace Plan and South China Sea Strategy
The Philippines, as the current chair of the ASEAN will hold an informal consultation dialogue between the bloc and Myanmar’s foreign minister, Tin Maung Swe, on July 12. This marks the first of its kind since the junta seized power back in 2021.
Myanmar’s President Tours Laos for New Deals amid Growing ASEAN Scepticism
Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing paid a state visit to Vientiane from July 3 to 5, commencing his first series of official visits to an ASEAN member state. The visit was made at the invitation of Laotian President Thongloun Sisoulith and coincided with the commemoration of 70 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Myanmar Shuts Door on ASEAN Envoy Visiting Aung San Suu Kyi
The Myanmar government has rejected the request made by ASEAN’s special envoy and Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro to meet with detained former leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, on June 30. Myanmar presidential spokeswoman Dauw Khaing Khaing Soe stated that San Suu Kyi is currently serving a sentence. Access, she maintained, will only be granted by the government once Suu Kyi has “finished serving her sentence.”
Myanmar Celebrates MSME Day, Pushing for Digital Transformation
On June 28, Myanmar concluded its commemoration of the 10th World Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSME) Day at the Myanmar International Convention Centre-1 in Nay Pyi Taw.
Min Aung Hlaing’s Beijing visit cements China–Myanmar partnership
Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing paid a five-day official state visit to Beijing from June 15 to 19. This trip underscored the manifestation of “pauk-phaw” friendship and aimed to strengthen bilateral ties between Naypyidaw and Beijing.
UNHCR highlights 1.2 million Myanmar Rohingya refugees, calls for urgent support
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has called for greater international attention and solidarity for 1,2 million displaced Rohingya refugees from Myanmar, who are mainly living in overcrowded shelters in Cox’s Bazaar, Bangladesh.