Myanmar development cooperation forum calls for accelerating development efforts

The two-day Second Myanmar Development Cooperation Forum ended in Nay Pyi Taw on Tuesday with Myanmar government and development partners agreeing to finalize the Nay Pyi Taw Accord Action Plan as soon as possible to ensure effective and coordinated action to accelerate development.

Development partners also pledged to step up their efforts to align their support to the emerging strategies and priorities and to give their strongest support to the capacity building in government institutions, a statement of the government said.

The forum reviewed the progress of the Nay Pyi Taw Accord Action Plan adopted at the first event last year. Participants also appreciated that a well-organized system of coordination between the government and the development partners has been established and the government is making progress in formulating the National Comprehensive Development Plan.

In his opening address of the forum, President U Thein Sein noted that through the four phases of reform, encompassing political reform, social and economic reform, administrative reform and private sector development reform, the development process has begun to gain momentum.

Nevertheless, he stressed that further acceleration of Myanmar' s development will require effective collaboration and joint efforts among all stake holder groups.

In his keynote speech, World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim emphasized the importance of access to good healthcare, electricity and agricultural development as essential elements of Myanmar's fight against poverty.

He expressed strong support for Myanmar's efforts to transform itself into a peaceful, democratic and economically successful country and pledged his institution's full support including development financing of over 2 billion U.S. dollars in the coming years.

In the joint statement issued at the end of the forum, Myanmar government and its development partners voiced commitment to finalize the Nay Pyi Taw Accord Action Plan approved last year to ensure the continued implementation of the accord and continued support for Myanmar's Framework for Economic and Social Reforms and the National Comprehensive Development Plan.

The joint statement said the progress will be reported to a mid- term review meeting later this year and again at the 3rd such forum to be held in 2015.

The forum was also attended by Vice President Sai Mauk Kham and U.N. Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific (ESCAP) high official Dr. Noeleen Heyzer as well as related ministers, parliament members, representatives from development partners, donor countries, local and foreign non-governmental organizations and social organizations.

Discussed at the forum were strategies for future progress, peace process, Myanmar's reform agenda and issues of aid effectiveness.

This year's forum was held under the theme of "Accelerating Actions for Progress through Enhancing Inclusive Coordination."

The First Development Cooperation Forum was held here in January 2013, in which the Nay Pyi Taw Accord Effective Development Cooperation was approved.