Noy off to Myanmar for World Economic Forum

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino will be off to Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar on Friday to attend the World Economic Forum (WEF) on East Asia and meet with Burmese President Thein Sein and Nobel peace prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi.

The President said he accepted the WEF’s offer for the Philippines to host the forum next year, which only shows that Filipinos are no longer second-class citizens of the world.

He also said he will invite the participants to the Philippines next year, being the host of the Asian version of the WEF, which is held in Davos, Switzerland every January.

“It’s a tradition that you invite the participants... the host country invites the participants prior to the conduct. Then, I’ll be meeting President Thein Sein and also Madame Aung San Suu Kyi,” Aquino said.

The WEF is pitching for inclusive growth now as part of reforms it wants to see in economies. 

Inclusive growth has been a mantra of the Aquino administration and the President said attending the WEF in Davos last January was a chance to introduce a new Philippines to investors.

The details of Aquino’s trip to Myanmar are yet to be released by Malacañang. 

But a statement from the WEF website said the event would be attended by over 900 participants from 55 countries.

They will convene in Nay Pyi Taw on June 5 to 7 under the theme “Courageous Transformation for Inclusion and Integration.” 

“The meeting will welcome over 100 public figures representing 15 countries, including heads of state and government of Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines and Vietnam. More than 550 business leaders, over 60 Global Growth Companies, nearly 300 young leaders from Young Global Leaders and Global Shapers communities, together with other members of civil society, academia and media will convene to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing Myanmar and East Asia today,” the WEF said.  

“As Myanmar continues on a path of bold economic and political reforms, our objective is to ensure that reform will translate into inclusive growth and greater trust,” said Sushant Palakurthi Rao, senior director and head of Asia at the WEF.

“Through frank discussions with community of leaders, we are committed to underlining the importance of key social and economic development challenges such as creating jobs, improving education, ensuring better healthcare and enhancing connectivity,” he added. 

Thein Sein was also quoted in the WEF statement as saying that the past two years under his government had been a time of transformation in Myanmar after decades of authoritarian rule. 

“We must move towards an economy that is equitable, that is fair and based on a level playing field, that develops our abundant natural wealth but in a way that protects our natural environment. To achieve all this we need maximum international support... Our transformation is not taking place in a vacuum,” he said.

The Philippines has been vocal in its support for democracy in Myanmar and for the release of Suu Kyi from house arrest in November 2010 after being in detention for 15 years. 

Manila also opposed the isolation of Myanmar even if it was under military rule and when the United States and Europe wanted to impose sanctions to compel it to democratize.