The opening ceremony of the 23rd Southeast Asia Red Cross Red Crescent Leaders Meeting, hosted by the Myanmar Red Cross Society, was held this morning at the Wyndham Grand Hotel in Yangon, where the Union Minister formally opened the meeting and related forums by pressing the electronic button.

In his opening speech, Union Minister of the Ministry of Health, Professor Dr. Thet Khaing Win, said that the theme of today’s meeting, “Unity in Humanitarian Action: Building a Better Tomorrow,” highlights the importance of unity and cooperation in facing the humanitarian challenges encountered around the world today. He said that Southeast Asian countries are not only geographically close to one another, but also share and face increasingly complex challenges, including natural disasters related to climate change, earthquakes, floods, cyclones, heatwaves, disease outbreaks, displacement, and economic vulnerabilities, and that stronger cooperation is needed among the government, humanitarian organizations, communities, and partner organizations.
He said that the Myanmar Red Cross Society is playing an important role as an auxiliary to the State in the humanitarian field through disaster preparedness and emergency response activities across the country. He said that the Government of Myanmar is always cooperating to ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches those in need. He also said that Myanmar is cooperating with friendly countries in the region for friendship, mutual assistance, and humanitarian assistance, and that the Government of Myanmar donated US$500,000 and eight tonnes of pulses to flood-affected people in Nepal. He said that he was pleased to learn that a Youth Forum would also be held together with the meeting to promote disaster preparedness, build resilient health systems, and enhance the leadership role of young people in order to make humanitarian activities more effective in the future.

He said that he believed the discussions and outcomes of this meeting would further strengthen humanitarian cooperation in the Southeast Asia region and become a foundation for building safe, healthy, strong, and resilient communities for future generations.
Next, the President of the Myanmar Red Cross Society, Professor Dr. Myo Nyunt, delivered his welcome remarks. He said that the theme of the meeting, “Unity in Humanitarian Action: Building a Better Tomorrow,” reflects the need to address humanitarian challenges facing the region through unity and cooperation. He said that the Myanmar Red Cross Society is placing emphasis on disaster preparedness and response, health, climate resilience, and volunteer development, which is a key strength of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

He said that, to strengthen disaster preparedness, 63 Red Cross staff and Red Cross volunteers from various States and Regions had completed a Basic Search and Rescue Training (for first responders) based on INSARAG methods, and that efforts would be made to further strengthen regional search and rescue capacities and national emergency response systems. He said that during the coming three days, discussions would be held on disaster preparedness, health, mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), climate resilience, humanitarian diplomacy, financial sustainability, youth leadership, and cooperation within the Movement.
As the host National Society, he said that the lessons learned from the Mandalay earthquake response, particularly experiences in coordination, search and rescue, and community recovery, would be shared. He also expressed his special appreciation for the support provided by the International Committee of the Red Cross, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, regional and international National Societies, volunteers and staff, donors, and partner organizations during the recent Mandalay earthquake response.

In addition, he said that the 5th Southeast Asia Red Cross Red Crescent Youth Forum, which would be held together with this meeting, is an important opportunity to promote youth participation, leadership, and innovation. He said that he believed the meeting would provide opportunities to exchange experiences, strengthen partnerships, and further promote humanitarian cooperation in the region.

Next, Ms. Juja Kim, Deputy Regional Director of the Asia Pacific Regional Office of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and Dr. Cordula Droege, Director of International Law, Movement and Partnership of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Geneva, delivered welcoming remarks.
Afterwards, students from the National University of Arts and Culture (Yangon) performed dances accompanied by songs, and the Union Minister took a commemorative photo together with the participants attending the ceremony.

Members of the Yangon Region Government, Directors-General from the Ministry of Health, President of the Myanmar Red Cross Society Professor Dr. Myo Nyunt and Executive Committee members, Ambassadors from embassies in Myanmar, invited representatives from United Nations organizations, leaders and youth representatives from Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies of 11 Southeast Asian countries, officials from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Committee of the Red Cross, Partner National Societies, the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre), donors, invited guests, Myanmar Red Cross Society staff, and Red Cross youth attended the ceremony.

The Myanmar Red Cross Society first hosted the Southeast Asia Red Cross Red Crescent Leaders Meeting in 2012, and is hosting it for the second time in 2026.
The Southeast Asia Red Cross Red Crescent Leaders Meeting will be held from 8 to 9 September, while the related forums, namely the Humanitarian Action Forum, will be held on 7 September, and the 5th Red Cross Red Crescent Youth Forum will be held from 7 to 8 September. Leaders and youth representatives from Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies from Southeast Asian countries, including the Myanmar Red Cross Society, will attend these events.

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