Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, 7 November 2012: The Government of Myanmar and UNICEF today signed the Basic Cooperation Agreement (BCA) that forms the basis and foundation of UNICEF’s development cooperation and country programmes in Myanmar.
In a simple ceremony held in the Myanmar capital H. E. Dr. Khin San Yee, Deputy Minister for National Planning and Economic Development Ministry of National Planning and Economic Development and Dr. Ramesh Shrestha, UNICEF Representative in Myanmar signed the Basic Cooperation Agreement (BCA).
On the occasion H. E. Dr. Khin San Yee, Deputy Minister of National Planning and Economic Development thanked UNICEF for being a long standing and hardworking partner of the Government of Myanmar and for contributing effectively to the development efforts. “Myanmar has been supported by UNICEF in many remarkable achievements such as the polio and measles eradication programme, prevention of many other diseases, protection against HIV and AIDS. UNICEF support over the years really helped Myanmar. The current Country Programme supported of UNICEF with through 16 programme areas under six sectors continues and strengthens the support and it is greatly appreciated.”
The Basic Cooperation Agreement (BCA) delineates in detail the terms and conditions of the cooperation between the Government and UNICEF. It also agrees on the basic principles of planning and implementation of programmes for the benefit of children of Myanmar.
UNICEF Representative Mr. Ramesh Shrestha said, “UNICEF and the Government of Myanmar’s partnership goes back a long way and are marked by numerous success and achievements for children of Myanmar, which could not have been possible without the partnership. The signing of the revised BCA reflects the changing needs of the programmes as well as changing role of UNICEF. It also augurs greater responsibility for UNICEF as well as the Government to ensure better life for children and women of Myanmar.”
The first BCA between the Government of Myanmar and UNICEF was signed on 22 April 1950 at the outset of UNICEF’s programme of cooperation in Myanmar 62 years ago. A revised BCA was signed in January 1956. The current BCA has been long outstanding, with the many changes in the programme as well as in the operating environment. The signing of the BCA ushers in a new and stronger phase of partnership to serve the best interest of the children in Myanmar
These agreements are reflected time bound Country Programme Documents and Country Programme Action Plan (CPAP) designed and implemented in five year cycles. The current CPAP under implementation is the eighth country programme of cooperation signed between UNICEF and the Government of Myanmar.
The revised BCA underlines continuing programme implementation across major areas of Young Child Survival & Development, Education, Water, Sanitation & Hygiene, Child Protection, HIV Prevention, Social Policy, Monitoring & Evaluation.
For more information, please contact:
Zafrin Chowdhury, Chief of Communication and Information Section, UNICEF Myanmar
Sandar Linn, Communication Officer, UNICEF Myanmar, +95-1-375527-32 (Ext: 1439),slinn@unicef.org
Ye Lwin Oo, Communication Officer, UNICEF Myanmar, +95-1-375527-32 (Ext: 1448),ylwinoo@unicef.org