21 March 2025
Forum on Myanmar Beyond 2025: Challenges and Opportunities in a Multipolar World was organized at MICC I here this morning. Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing delivered the keynote address.
Also present were SAC Joint Secretary General Ye Win Oo, SAC members, union ministers and union level dignitaries, ambassadors of the diplomatic missions in Myanmar and officials, the Nay Pyi Taw Council chair, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander- in-Chief, deputy ministers, international experts in geoeconomics and geopolitics, officials of political parties, local and foreign experts, officials of ministries, faculty members from international relations departments of military and civilian institutions of higher learning, and observers.
First, foreign experts were introduced individually. Artistees from the Fine Arts Department of Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture staged a dance number to the accompaniment of the song “Beautiful and lovely Myanmar” to mark the opening of the forum.
The Senior General and attendees watched a video clip on “A new perspective for 2025 and Myanmar.”
In his keynote address, the Senior General said the forum serves as a crucial opportunity for shaping a better future of Myanmar and establishing links with the global community.
Today, the world we are living in is turning towards a multipolar world, while the role of regional organizations has become more important. In other words, we are in the process of shifting from globalization to regionalization.
Unlike the past state of global situation and model, in which a single power dominated the global stage, many countries and regional groups are now gathering a significant and collective force in the multipolar world as it is known. It can also be called a “New world order” as the said collective forces are releasing and spreading their power on the global stage.
Multifaceted development and success of countries like China, India and Russia and the European Union are challenging the domination of traditionally powerful nations of the past.
The spread of power and influence towards a number of countries has balanced the global power, and the global dominance is no longer unipolar. It is common knowledge that no country in this world can create a global result of its own.
Nowadays, international problems are being solved through the enlarging groups of multiple countries. On the other hand, countries with power are vying for global dominance rather than solving the problems.
Changing from the situation in which dominance is only in the hands of a single superpower to the involvement of major players in the new world order with competition and cooperation is a delicate trend that promotes equality, integration, peace and stability. As for the countries, they need strategies and preparations to follow the major transformation process beneficially and in fitting manner.
In the first place, the strategic autonomy is needed. It is essential for the nations to avoid depending too much upon an individual super power, extending the relations with the friend nations. Then only, decision making will be flexible and the unnecessary pressures can be resisted with the synergic forces of the friends. The term friends refer not only to the nations but also to the regional blocs.
In extending relation with the friends, it is essential to formulate the arrangements that will develop in a sustainable manner. The ties shall be further strengthened in economic, security and technological fields. Concerning the economic relations in particular, we are all needed to adapt ourselves to suit the changing situations in the new world order.
Plus, we must reduce overdependence on one market only. It is necessary to extend the trade relations to diversified regions. To be able to mitigate the losses that can arise from the global disruption, the regional economic integration is indispensable. Participation is imperative to strengthen the regional supply chains. To ensure the safety of the national interests, emphasis is to be laid upon investments in such major sectors as food, energy and technology.And what is more, the technology and the digital sovereignty are also the two sectors which are worth investing in.
The technology has become a fundamental sector in the competition of the multi-polar world order. Such particular technologies as Artificial Intelligence [AI], semiconductors and the cyber security are the determining technologies. This being so, it is indispensable to keep strategic technological partners to cooperate in such sectors as artificial intelligence and digital economy.
I am of the view that we ought to be more flexible and good at adaptation in the age of multipolar world to be able to conduct diplomatic relations through use of practical approaches. In building up of relations with friends, the dogmatic ideas are to be abandoned, and we must be context-oriented in our approach.
And what’s more, it is imperative that contact with and engagement in the global institutions be promoted.
Another sector which is worth considering seriously is the energy and resource security.Exploration and exploitation of the energy, water and the rare metals have become vitally important to sustainable stability.We must therefore make investments in renewable energy, nuclear and other energy sectors.
Arrangements are to be made to ensure sufficient supply of rare metals and food security which can be disrupted by the geopolitical causes.
Concerning socio-cultural sector, the internal stability has become important as the power dynamic is shifting fast in the age of multipolar world. It is imperative to fight fake news, develop the art of propagating via media and counter efforts to exert foreign influence. With the swift changes in the global economy, we have to invest in human resources to go along with the tide to survive. I would like to point out that the work force is needed to be properly educated and trained.
This forum will involve the discussions and suggestions by the seasoned experts from China, India, Russia, Thailand, Nepal, Japan and Italy, and so, this forum will contribute a lot towards turning Myanmar into a modern, developed nation beyond 2025. You experts are expected to provide guidance, way showing and strategies for Myanmar.
And the international experts will witness the real situation while in Myanmar. I hope you will witness the true image of our country which is totally different from the distorted images through use of fake and false news and views.
Myanmar people are eager to learn. We pay attention to the suggestions and are always willing to accept the constructive criticism. And I am confident that the suggestions by the attendees will be of great benefit to our country.
This forum is supervised by the Ministry of Information and organized by the Myanmar Narrative Think Tank. It is noted that during this critical period for the nation, the forum is timely organized to align with the changing global landscape, aiming to propel Myanmar forward. The Ministry of Information and the Myanmar Narrative Think Tank are commended for their efforts in making this significant discussion possible.
It is hoped that the outcomes of this forum will serve as strong foundational images for beautifully shaping the future of Myanmar. Gratitude is extended to both local and international experts who participated in the discussions.It is also wished that international scholars visiting Myanmar can enjoy the country’s beautiful natural landscapes and the warm hospitality of its people during their stay, contributing to the enhancement of Myanmar’s image and the strengthening of international friendships.
Following this, the Senior General discussed the challenges and opportunities Myanmar will face in a multipolar world post-2025. He highlighted that Myanmar is a geographically elongated country with abundant freshwater resources, diverse climates, rich natural resources, and a coastline of over 1,300 miles, which are significant advantages.Myanmar’s strategic location makes it a pivotal area for maritime trade.
Myanmar is surrounded by five neighbouring countries, including the populous nations of China and India, and serves as a bridge between South Asia and Southeast Asia. The combined population of Myanmar’s surrounding and neighbouring countries is nearly 4 billion, representing about 50 percent of the world’s population, providing a robust market for Myanmar’s exports. It is crucial to effectively utilize the existing resources and realize their potential value.
Since gaining independence, the country has faced internal armed conflicts. Myanmar, with its suitable climate, vast agricultural lands, and abundant natural resources, has historically been a land where various ethnic groups both those with moderate strength and those with less have migrated and settled. It has been a motherland and a nation where diverse ethnicities and peoples have gathered and lived together.
However, during the colonial era, the unity among the indigenous ethnic groups, which had been maintained under the divide-and-rule system of colonial administration, was shattered. Following these divisions, the colonial powers and their collaborators continued to fuel and support armed conflicts.
Moreover, differences inideology, ethnicity, and political systems were exaggerated, incited, and exploited to escalate internal armed conflicts.
Although successive governments have strived to build internal peace, external encouragement, incitement, and interference have perpetuated the armed conflicts, which continue to burn like unquenchable flames to this day. Due to these events, our country, despite having numerous opportunities, has lagged in development. These challenges can be transformed into opportunities and meaningful achievements by fostering a love for our nation and its people, nurturing a Myanmar spirit, and building a united strength. Without our unity, no economic system will succeed, no political system will be able to lead firmly, and no social system will bring prosperity and peace of mind.
Our country is one that operates an economy primarily based on agriculture and livestock farming. Therefore, if we can export agricultural products such as cotton and rubber, as well as rice, beans, and other crops, it would bring significant benefits to our nation. To achieve this, the key requirement is to genuinely work towards the success of agriculture-based production industries. This means we must effectively and diligently focus on developing and advancing these sectors to ensure their success.
A prerequisite for economic development is human resources and investments. The country has a population of about 51 million and it can be seen that there are many requirements in the education sector, according to the 2014 population census. As educated human resources are required for the manufacturing industry of the country, reforms were carried out to upgrade the basic education system while advanced education systems are being enhanced.
Agriculture and livestock breeding and technical high schools were opened in the entire country while plans are underway to open more polytechnic universities in six regions and states.
Foreign investments can be attracted only when stability is ensured and it is necessary to give guarantees for investment businesses. Only then, will the GDP increase and the economy of the country will develop. Efforts are being made to take the path of multi-party democracy system which is appropriate for the country and aspired by the people. Appropriate measures will be taken to fulfill the wishes of national races in accordance with the law. Our country is situated between two different powerful countries. Therefore, the country is implementing an independent, active and nonaligned foreign policy. Our country is facing opportunities as well as challenges. It is necessary to overcome the challenges through various ways and means for the development of the country. In conclusion, I would like to seriously urge Myanmar citizens to increase the value of Myanmar for a beautiful future of the country.
Then, the Senior General presented commemorative medals to foreign scholars who will participate in the discussions.
Then, artists from the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture entertained the audience with music and dances titled “May you have happiness and peace of mind.”
After the opening ceremony, the Senior General posed for documentary photographs with the attendees and viewed documentary photographs on display.
During the forum, geoeconomic an geopolitic experts from China, Russia, India, Japan, Thailand, Italy and Nepal and local experts will hold discussions under the three topics: “Myanmar and Asia’s Role in Changing Multipolar World”, “Geoeconomic Challenges and Opportunities of Myanmar in the Multipolar World Beyond 2025” and “Geopolitical Challenges and Promising Opportunities of Myanmar in the Multipolar World Beyond 2025.”
The forum aims to raise international awareness about the current situation of the country together with political changes, fostering collaboration towards Myanmar with understanding and empathy, counter the baseless accusations to promote the country’s image, understand the challenges and opportunities emerging in the changing global landscape in 2025, specifically in a multipolar world, and identify ways to prepare in advance.
