3 May 2011, Yangon – Dr. Ajay Chhibber, UN Assistant Secretary-General and UNDP Assistant Administrator met with the new Government in Nay Pyi Taw and other key stakeholders to discuss UNDP’s new programme (2012-2015) and review its current activities.
UNDP is developing a new phase of its programme activities with the overarching goal of improving livelihoods and to help reduce poverty, as a part of its contribution to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Myanmar. Focus areas for the programme include: livelihood and community development, sustainable microfinance, environmental protection and Disaster Risk Reduction and governance and the promotion of rights. “My meetings both in Nay Pyi Taw and Yangon have been constructive. UNDP can continue to play a critical role in reducing poverty and improving the livelihoods of the poor, “ Dr. Chhibber said.
UNDP’s new phase of its programme will build on its knowledge base and successes achieved over the past 16 years in Myanmar and will be formulated in line with the four priorities of the new UN Strategic Framework for the country: encourage inclusive growth (both rural and urban), including agricultural development and enhancement of employment opportunities; increase equitable access to quality social services; reduce vulnerability to natural disasters and climate change; and promote good governance and strengthen democratic institutions and rights.
In Nay Pyi Taw, Dr. Chhibber called on H.E. U Wunna Maung Lwin, Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. U Myint Hlaing, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation and H.E. U Tin Naing Thein, Minister of National Planning and Economic Development. He was accompanied by Mr. Bishow Parajuli, UN Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator and UNDP Representative in Myanmar. In Yangon, Dr. Chhibber also met with key stakeholders, Heads of missions, donor representatives and the Heads of the UN agencies to discuss UNDP’s assistance plans for Myanmar.
Dr. Chhibber discussed the new government’s development priorities as well as options for discussing these with the wider international community in the future. He also explored with the authorities the possibilities of UN’s technical assistance to help develop socio-economic policies of the Government to help reduce poverty.
The UNDP in Myanmar works to increase incomes and improve living conditions of the poor. It provides financial resources, material support as well as technical assistance and training, and village level infrastructure support to communities.
In partnership with donors, UNDP has delivered USD 110 million over the past four years, reaching over 3 million women, children and men in more than 60 townships and 8,000 villages. Its key poverty reduction effort, the Microfinance project, has disbursed USD 200 million in loans to 500,000 clients in 22 townships and 5,000 villages, during 2003 to 2011, helping hundreds of thousands lift out of poverty.
For UNDP media enquiries in Myanmar, Yasmin Padamsee +95 95076287, yasmine.padamsee@undp.org. Further information on UNDP updates can be found at http://www.mm.undp.org.
About UNDP Myanmar: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN’s global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life in 166 countries. UNDP has been implementing the Human Development Initiative (HDI) in Myanmar since 1994 to provide support to poor communities in areas of food security, primary health care, environment, HIV/AIDS, and training and education. UNDP currently works in more than 60 townships around the country. UNDP’s initiatives target the most vulnerable communities and work to improve opportunities for sustainable livelihoods.