October 16, 2024.
In a context where various sectors in Myanmar are suffering due to the military dictatorship, Ambassador U Kyaw Moe Tun raised a question at a United Nations meeting regarding how the UN’s long-term development goals can be achieved. This inquiry was made during the 79th General Assembly and the Second Committee’s discussions on sustainable development policies held in New York City on October 14.
U Kyaw Moe Tun emphasized that the primary cause of the increased suffering of individuals, mass displacements, economic crises, unstable financial systems, and social disruptions over the past three years can be attributed to the military dictatorship and its leaders. He stated that the people of Myanmar are experiencing severe hardships and that without addressing the root cause of the conflict—the military junta—these issues will persist. He criticized the military’s planned sham elections, stating they do not reflect the will of the people and urged the international community to strongly oppose these elections.
He pointed out that in the nearly three years and nine months since the military’s unlawful seizure of power, three core pillars of sustainable development have been severely compromised. He posed several questions regarding how to achieve the goal of eradicating poverty, especially as the military has driven nearly half of the country’s population into extreme poverty.
U Kyaw Moe Tun further questioned how to ensure food security while the military is destroying crops and farming in conflict-affected rural areas, and how to provide access to healthy living amidst escalating violence against health workers and facilities. He also inquired about how to provide quality education when children are displaced by military airstrikes on schools.
He continued by asking how gender equality can be achieved in light of the ongoing violence based on gender in physical and digital spaces, and how to promote decent work opportunities when youth are being forcibly recruited and detained by the military. He expressed concerns about addressing climate change when the military has failed to provide early warning systems and disaster risk reduction assistance.
He highlighted that, despite the military’s continuous violent crimes, including war crimes and atrocities against humanity, the goal of building inclusive and peaceful societies remains a challenge. U Kyaw Moe Tun reiterated that the need for sustainable peace and stability is crucial for Myanmar to restore its previous developmental progress. He urged the international community to take effective action to construct a federal democratic union characterized by inclusive peace and justice, emphasizing the importance of cooperation in this endeavor.
He expressed that Myanmar cannot tolerate further loss of life among its citizens and cannot accept additional setbacks in achieving long-term development goals. U Kyaw Moe Tun warned that the future generations of the Myanmar people cannot be neglected.
