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| Home » Asia Pacific at a Glance » Myanmar |
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MYANMAR AT A GLANCE |
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| General Information |
| Indicators |
| Socio-Economic Background |
| HIV Situation |
| Estimates |
| National Response |
| Web Resources |
| UN Offices |
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| Conventional long form: Union of Burma
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| Capital: Rangoon (regime refers to the
capital as Yangon) |
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| Currency: Kyat |
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| Ethnic groups: Burman 68%, Shan 9%, Karen
7%, Rakhine 4%, Chinese 3%, Indian 2%, Mon 2%, others
5% |
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| Religion: Buddhist, Christian (Baptist,
Roman Catholic), Muslim, animist, others |
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| Language: Burmese |
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| Independence: 4 January 1948 from United
Kingdom |
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Flag:  |
| National
Anthem of Myanmar |
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Source: United Nations |
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* Copyright Notice |
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Click
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| General
Information |
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| Land boundaries: Bangladesh,
China, India, Laos, Thailand |
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| Administrative Divisions: 7 divisions and
7 states |
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| EXECUTIVE |
| Chief
of State |
Chairman of the State Peace and Development
Council Sr. Gen. Than Shwe (since 23 April 1992) |
| Head of Government |
Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Sr. Gen. Than Shwe (since 23 April 1992)
Note – Lt.Gen.Soc Win was appointed as the Prime Minister after , Gen. Knin Nyunt was dismissed in October 2004 |
| Cabinet |
State Peace and Development Council (SPDC); military junta, so named 15 November 1997, which initially assumed power on 18 September 1988 under the name State Law and Order Restoration Council; the SPDC oversees the cabinet
In a seven step “roadmap” to democracy, a National Convention to draft a new Constitution was convened in May 2004. The National League for Democracy of which Aung San Su Kyi is the leader did not participate in the convention. To date, the convention has failed to make substantive progress in allowing political change to take place. |
| LEGISLATURE |
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Unicameral People's Assembly or Pyithu
Hluttaw (485 seats; members elected by popular vote to
serve four-year terms) |
| JUDICIARY |
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Remnants of the British-era legal
system are in place; the judiciary is not independent
of the executive. |
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| Indicators |
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| Indicators |
Estimate |
Year |
Source |
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| Population
( millions) |
| Population growth (1991-2001) |
| Annual Population Growth
(percent) |
| Population Density (per
sq.km) |
| Sex Ratio (females per
1,000 males) |
| Crude Birth Rate (per
1000 population) |
| Crude Death Rate |
| Total Fertility Rate |
| Infant Mortality (per
1000) |
| Maternal Mortality Rate |
| Human Development Index
Ranking |
| Literacy (Total) |
| -
Males |
| -
Females |
| Increase in literacy |
| People below poverty line
(%) |
| Urban Population (%) |
| Growth of Urban population
(annual) |
| Life expectancy |
| Per capita GDP (US $) |
| Population with access
to proper sanitation (%) |
| Population with access
to improved water sources (%) |
| Health Expenditure-Public
(% of GDP) |
| Health Expenditure - Private
(% of GDP) |
| Physicians per 100,000
population |
| Population with Access
to Essential Drugs (%) |
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| 50.51 | 2005 | UNDESA | | -- | -- | -- | | 5 | 2000 - 2005 | UNDESA | | 69.4 | 2000 | World Bank | | -- | -- | -- | | 26 | 1995 - 2000 | UNPOP | | 12 | 1995 - 2000 | UNPOP | | 2.80 | 2000 - 2005 | UNFPA | | 76 | 2003 | UNDP HDR 2005 | | 230 | 1985-2003 | UNDP HDR 2005 | | 129 | 2005 | UNDP HDR 2005 | | 84 | 1997 | UNESCO | | 89 | 1997 | UNESCO | | 79 | 1997 | UNESCO | | -- | -- | -- | | -- | -- | -- | | 29.5 | 2003 | UNDP HDR 2005 | | -- | -- | -- | | 60.2 | 2003 | UNDP HDR 2005 | | 1384 | 2002 | WHO | | 73 | 2002 | WHO | | 80 | 2002 | WHO | | 0.4 | 2002 | UNDP HDR 2005 | | 1.8 | 2002 | UNDP HDR 2005 | | 30 | 1990 - 2004 | UNDP HDR 2005 | | 50 - 79 | 1999 | UNDP HDR 2003 |
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| Socio-Economic
Background |
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| Myanmar is one of the largest countries in South East Asia. Myanmar’s 130 ethnic groups make up its population of nearly 50 million. Rich in natural resources, Myanmar is seen as a country with considerable potential. However, more than five decades of political and armed conflict, combined with forced isolation (since 1997 US and European Union have imposed trade and investment restrictions against Myanmar) have significantly eroded socio-economic conditions in the country. |
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| Myanmar ranks 32 among a list of 50 least developed nations surveyed by the United Nations. The lack of adequate infrastructure and access to resources affects millions of people in the country, who live in extremely poor conditions, with little access to health and education services. |
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| Myanmar lags far behind its neighbours and ASEAN in economic and social development, with a Human Development Index (HDI) ranking of 129 out of 177. In 2004, Myanmar ranked 106 on the Gender-related Development Index (GDI) (out of 146). |
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| The economy of Myanmar is predominantly
agrarian with the agricultural sector, including livestock,
fishery and forestry accounting for over 40 per cent of the
Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Socio-economic development and
GDP growth therefore lean heavily on the performance of the
agricultural sector. |
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| Public expenditure on health and education, as percentage of GDP is extremely low. The public expenditure on health is just about 0.4 per cent of GDP. Average life expectancy at birth for both sexes is 61, for female is 64 and male is 59 according to the FRHS (Fertility and Reproductive Health Survey) 2001 jointly conducted by the Department of Population and UNFPA. According to UN estimates, the adult literacy rate reached 90% in 2004. Despite drawbacks of an undemocratic government and its controversial human rights record, Myanmar has been commended for certain major initiatives like the National Sanitation Weeks, National Immunization Days (NIDs) and efforts to achieve Universal Salt Iodization and vitamin A supplementation, which have significantly advanced the achievement of the World Summit and National Plans of Action goals. |
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| According to UNICEF, there are disparities between children in different areas of the country. The overall situation of children in major towns tends to be considerably better than in rural and urban resettlement areas. In the most remote border areas, some ethnic communities have virtually no public services because of armed conflicts and problems of accessibility. According to World Bank estimates, approximately one in four households in Myanmar live below the poverty line. |
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| Opium production has been a major problem with Myanmar. According to the UN Office of Drugs and Crime report published in 2006, Myanmar is the second largest illegal producer of opium. However, in 1999 the government started a 15-year narcotic elimination plan. In some areas of the country, opium is the primary source of income for many farmers and the current reduction in opium cultivation has exacerbated their poverty. |
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| Agriculture continues to absorb the maximum number of people, accounting for 56.5 percent of the workforce. The service and manufacturing sector account for an estimated 10.1 % and 11.4 % respectively (Ref. Handbook on Human Resources Development Indicators, 2002, Department of Labor and UNFPA) |
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| Fiscal deficit and expenditure priorities need
to be addressed along with liberalization in the agricultural
sector. The deficit is estimated to be 6.6 per cent GDP, compared
to 8.4 percent in FY2000. The improvement in the deficit position
has been largely attributed to a reduction in expenditure. Military
expenditure and inefficient state enterprises (SEEs) that receive
direct budgetary support have traditionally fuelled the fiscal
deficit in Myanmar. |
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| HIV Situation |
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| The first HIV positive case in Myanmar was found in 1988 and the first AIDS case in 1991. HIV in Myanmar is mostly spread by injecting drug use and risky sex, both heterosexual and between men. Prevalence among IDUs in the capital, Yangon had reached 74.3 per cent by 1993 while prevalence among sex workers in Yangon and Mandalay had increased from a median of 4 percent in 1992 to 26 percent in 1997. Among military recruits the prevalence of HIV infection has ranged between 1.4% and 2.5% since 1998, and was measured at 1.6% in early 2004 (Department of Health Myanmar, 2004) |
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| Nine UN heads of missions in Myanmar, in 2001, described the HIV/AIDS situation in the country as 'explosive' and a major contributor to the erosion of the well being of the populace. Myanmar’slimited prevention efforts led HIV to spread freely—at first within the most at-risk groups and later beyond them. Consequently, Myanmar has one of the most serious HIV epidemics in the region, with HIV prevalence among pregnant women estimated at 1.8% in 2004. In East Asia and the Pacific, Cambodia, Myanmar and Thailand have the highest infection rates and are the only countries in the region with HIV prevalence greater than 1 per cent among youth. |
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| Available epidemiological data suggest that the country is close to the tipping point. This is the point at which the critical mass of infection becomes so great that the epidemic is self - sustaining in the general population, even if risk behaviour in the most vulnerable sub -populations, such as injecting drug users and sex workers, is significantly reduced. |
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| The main HIV-related risk for many of the women now living with the virus was to have had unprotected sex with husbands or boyfriends who had been infected while injecting drugs or buying sex. Consistently high levels of HIV prevalence among sex workers has exacerbated Myanmar’s epidemic, reports UNAIDS December 2005 update. When tested, one in four sex workers (27%) were found to be HIV-positive in 2004, and prevalence among sex workers has not fallen below 25% since 1997. Very high HIV infection levels have been found among drug injectors: in 2004, 60% of injectors in Lashio tested HIV-positive, as did 47% in Myitkyeena and 25% and 30%, respectively, in the country’s main cities of Yangon and Mandalay. Nationally, HIV prevalence among injecting drug users was 34% in 2004, having decreased since 2001 (Department of Health Myanmar, 2004 and 2005). |
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| Prevention efforts have been stepped up in recent years, but HIV is spreading extensively in lower-risk populations. At eight (out of 29) sentinel sites, HIV prevalence among pregnant women has exceeded 3%, and among men seeking treatment for other sexually transmitted infections it exceeded 5% at as many sites in 2003, while 1.4% and 1.8% of new military recruits were found to be infected with HIV in Yangon and Mandalay, respectively (Department of Health Myanmar, 2004). Although significant proportions of young men frequent sex workers, there is a lack of national data on condom use rates during commercial sex. |
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| Injecting drug use has contributed significantly to the spread of HIV/AIDS in Myanmar, with 30% of new infections attributed to injecting drug use. This is mainly due to the users, lack of knowledge on the consequences of conducting unsafe practices. |
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| Geographical mapping of officially reported AIDS cases show that the eastern states/divisions have been the hardest hit by the epidemic. The central and delta regions have moderate rates of infection, with the lowest found on the western borders |
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| Estimates |
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| Figures |
| Value | Year | Source | | 360,000 | 2005 | UNAIDS Global AIDS Report 2006 | | 350,000 | 2005 | UNAIDS Global AIDS Report 2006 | | 110,000 | 2005 | UNAIDS Global AIDS Report 2006 | | -- | -- | -- | | 37,000 | 2005 | UNAIDS Global AIDS Report 2006 | | -- | -- | -- |
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| Estimated Number
of HIV cases (Adults and children) |
| Adults (15-49 years) |
| Women (15-49) |
| Children |
| Esimated number
of deaths due to AIDS |
| Estimated Number
of AIDS orphans |
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| The National
Response |
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| The government of Myanmar has taken a series of
measures to set up a good HIV surveillance system, despite its
stand that the HIV/AIDS problem in the country is not as gloomy
as portrayed by the international community. |
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| The HIV/AIDS surveillance system
came into being in 1985 and biannual sentinel surveillance began
in 1992 at nine sites. By the year 2000, the system was expanded
to cover 27 sites across all States and Divisions. Behavioral
surveillance was introduced in 1997. |
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| The National AIDS Committee (NAC), created in
1989, and chaired by the Minister of Health oversees the National
AIDS Programme of Myanmar. It is a multi-sectoral working body,
drawn from various governmental agencies and NGOs, under the
guidance of National Health Committee. The NAC met eight times
between 1989 and 2001. National authorities including NAC became
more interested to carry out HIV/AIDS prevention and care interventions
started in 2001. |
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| The National Health Committee with ministers from various ministries as members and chaired by the Prime Minister of the State provides policy guidelines. |
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| The denial syndrome of the early days is evidently
undergoing a change and is reflected in the formulation of the
National Health Plan, which sets the agenda for four- year periods.
The plan now ranks HIV/AIDS as the nations third most important
health challenge after malaria and tuberculosis (TB). As part
of the decentralization initiative, AIDS committees have been
formed at the State/Division and township levels. |
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| Awareness drives and prevention is slowly gaining centre stage. A programme for prevention of mother to child transmission was started in 2000 and 32 townships were covered by 2003. A school based healthy living and AIDS prevention education project is in place. This initiative covers 1.5 million school children in 50 townships. |
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| 2004 Myanmar was the first country to follow the Global Fund's "safeguard" procedures for countries where donors have expressed accountability concerns. |
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| Data has begun to flow in to the monitoring and evaluation system. Concerning condoms, for example, against a 'rule of thumb' target of one condom per capita per year, an estimated 32.6 million condoms were distributed against a need of 50 million in 2004, up from 28.8 million condoms in 2003, and only 11.1 million five years ago. There are, however, a few signs that the 100% condom programme launched in 2001 (reportedly reaching 58 townships by 2004) could be making some inroads (Thwe, 2004). It will require a much stronger prevention effort (including a comprehensive programme for injecting drug users) if Myanmar is to deal with an HIV epidemic that already ranks among the most serious in the entire region. |
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| In the area of harm reduction, the number of needles distributed/exchanged in 2004 was 430 000, nearly double that in 2003. |
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| Antiretrovirals are currently provided through non-governmental organizations and the private sector, though the National AIDS Programme's preparations in 2004 mean it will be able to begin provision early next year. The number of townships with specialized Ministry of Health AIDS teams increased to 40. |
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| National Strategic Plan (2001-2005) |
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| UN Response |
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| Myanmar 2003–2005 and the Fund for HIV/AIDS in Myanmar demonstrate how the UN can pull together to forge effective interagency and multi-stakeholder cooperation on AIDS where political and donor constraints have aggravated the spread of the epidemic.
UNAIDS in Myanmar took the lead in developing the Joint Programme which, given the political context of Myanmar, went beyond planning the UN support for a national response. |
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| Developed jointly by the UN, government and nongovernmental organizations (through extensive consultation that also involved the political opposition), the Joint Programme sets out a strategic framework and an operational plan for all parties to adhere to. Activities have been prioritized and are now being implemented by various partners. A monitoring and evaluation plan has been developed to track progress and identify weaknesses and successes to be fed back to implementing and donor partners. |
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| The Fund for HIV/AIDS in Myanmar was established to support the implementation of the Joint Programme. Three donors (the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and the Norwegian Foreign Ministry) have provided US$ 22 million in 2003 to support the Joint Programme via the Fund. |
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| Web Resources |
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| Government Website |
| http://www.myanmar.com/ |
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| Ministry of Health |
| http://www.myanmar.com/Ministry/health/ |
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| UN Agencies |
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| UNDP |
| UNDP is the UN's global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. |
| http://www.mm.undp.org/ |
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| UNAIDS |
| UNAIDS, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, brings together the efforts and resources of ten UN system organisations to the global AIDS response. |
| http://www.unaids.org/en/Regions_Countries/Countries/myanmar.asp |
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| World Health Organisation |
| The World Health Organization is the United Nations specialized agency for health. WHO's objective, as set out in its Constitution, is the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health. |
| http://www.who.int/countries/mmr/en/ |
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| World Bank |
| The World Bank is a vital source of financial and technical assistance to developing countries around the world. We are made up of two unique development institutions owned by 184 member countries—the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA). |
| www.worldbank.org/mm |
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| National and International Organisations |
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| Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) |
| ADRA is currently one of the leading non-governmental relief organizations in the world. As new challenges and needs arise, ADRA continues to strive to realize its mission of reflecting God's love through compassionate acts of humanitarian service. |
| http://www.adra.org/ |
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| International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) |
| The ICRC established its presence in Myanmar 1986 with physical rehabilitation programmes. The ICRC also works to improve coordination with the International Federation in an effort to enhance the effectiveness of the Myanmar Red Cross Society. |
| http://www.icrc.org/ |
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| International HIV/AIDS Alliance |
| The International HIV/AIDS Alliance is an initiative of people, organisations and communities working towards a shared vision by supporting effective community responses to HIV and AIDS. We believe that those at the forefront of the HIV/AIDS response need to have the resources to take on the challenges that the epidemic presents. |
| http://www.aidsalliance.org/sw7226.asp |
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| Other resources |
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| MDG Report |
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http://www.undg.org/documents/6550-Myanmar_MDG_Report.pdf |
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| UN Offices |
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UNDP (United Nations Development
Programme) |
UNAIDS (Joint United Nations Programme
on HIV/AIDS ) |
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| UN Resident Coordinator/ UNDP Resident Representative
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Mr Brian Williams |
| UNDP Myanmar |
UNAIDS Country Coordinator |
| No. 6, Natmauk Road |
Tel: +95 1 221 927 |
| Yangon |
Fax: +95 1 229 280 |
| Mail Address: UNDP Myanmar |
E-mail: williamsb@unaids.org |
| P.O. Box 650 |
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| Yangon, Myanmar |
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| Telephone: (95-1) 542910 Tel2: +222 2
524 11 |
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| Fax: (95-1) 292739 |
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| Email: registry.mm@undp.org |
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| URL: www.undp.org/rbap |
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| UNESCO |
UNODC |
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| Myanmar National Commission for UNESCO, |
Postal P.O. Box 650, Yangon Union of Myanmar
Street |
| Ministry of Education, Office of the Ministers |
11 (A) Malikha Road |
| Theinbyu St |
Mayangone Township |
| Yangon |
Yangon |
| Myanmar |
Union of Myanmar |
| Telephone: (95-1) 514-771 |
Telephone: (95-1) 512647, 512648 &
666903 |
| Fax: (95-1) 285-480 |
Fax: (95-1) 512646 |
| Email: educ.mm@undp.org
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E-mail: undcp.mm@undp.org |
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| Sources: UN Agencies |
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| *The map presented here
is produced by the Cartographic Section of the United Nations
and is copyrighted. Reproduction of any part without the permission
of the copyright owner is unlawful. Requests for permission
should be addressed to cartog@un.org. |
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