THE Sixteenth Senior Officials Meeting on Rural Development and Poverty Eradication of ASEAN member countries was initiated at Horizon Lake View Hotel in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.

The main topic of discussion centred on the success of the sustainable development goals and establishing communities with quick and effective response mechanisms.

Deputy Minister U Hla Kyaw spoke at the opening ceremony. He said his ministry has developed the agricultural development strategic plan to develop agriculture, food security, income generation and rural development in tandem with the Myanmar Sustainable Development Plan (MSDP). He said they reduced poverty to 24.8 per cent in 2017.

Next, Deputy Secretary General Mr Kung Phaok of the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community, ASEAN Secretary-General Office, explained the processes of the rural development and poverty eradication group. The 16th high level meeting and related meetings will continue to 8 November.

Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar