Nay Pyi Daw, 12th September 2011 : UN-HABITAT and the Union Government of Myanmar, represented by the Department of Human Settlements and Housing Development (DHSHD), Ministry of Construction, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the “Myanmar Programme for Safer Settlements and Urban Issues” designed to provide disaster resilient and safer settlements for the people of Myanmar.
Dr Toshiyasu Noda, Director of the UN-HABITAT Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, and Director General U Aung Win of the Ministry of Construction signing the MoU; with His Excellency U Khin Maung Myint, the Union Minister for Construction, witnessing the agreement.Dr Toshiyasu Noda, Director of the UN-HABITAT Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, and Director General U Aung Win of the DHSHD of Ministry of Construction signed the MoU on Monday, 12th of September in the offices of Ministry of Construction, Nay Pyi Daw with His Excellency U Khin Maung Myint, the Union Minister for Construction, as chief witness for the ceremony.
In his opening speech, His Excellency U Khin Maung Myint, expressed his hope that this cooperation with UN-HABITAT will assist the Government’s endeavors of building a new modern and developed nation.
Following formalization of the MOU Director General U Aung Win stated in his address, that the five major components of this partnership will be implemented successfully, both in scope and time. These components are: Capacity Building for Human Settlements Planning and development, Safer Human Settlements planning, National Building Codes and regulations development, Low-cost Housing Solutions via Habitech Technology Transfer, and Rural Low-cost Housing Programme.
Dr Toshiyasu Noda, His Excellency U Khin Maung Myint, and Director General U Aung WinSrinivasa Popuri, Country Manager of UN-HABITAT Myanmar stated that the agency is cooperating with the relevant Ministries in the sectors that are pertaining to Habitat Agenda; Providing basic infrastructure and access improvements in water and sanitation to urban and rural settlements, technical assistance on Disaster Risk Reduction at township, state/divisions and national level, Urban Environment and Climate Change issues.
Director Dr Noda reiterated dedication to promoting socially and environmentally sustainable development of Human Settlements thereby fulfilling the agenda of UN-HABITAT. Dr Noda expressed his view that the MoU will open broad vistas of cooperation between the Myanmar Government and UN-HABITAT to the benefit of the people of Myanmar.
His Excellency U Khin Maung Myint, Union Minister for Construction:, His Excellency U Soe Maung, Union Minister of President’s Office; Dr. Dr Toshiyasu Noda,Director of UN-HABITAT ROAP; with senior officials from the Ministry of Construction and UN-Habitat
For media inquiries only, please contact: U Denzil Abel, Senior Advisor of UN-HABITAT Myanmar, +95 (0)9-731-734-04, denzilabel@gmail.com
