PRIME Minister U Nyo Saw at­tended the 31st ASEAN Transport Ministers Meeting (31st ATM) or­ganized by the Ministry of Trans­port and Communications at the Jasmine Naypyitaw Hotel in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.

In accordance with the agenda of the 31st ASEAN Transport Ministers Meeting, Union Minister for Transport and Communications U Mya Tun Oo delivered a remark, stating that the transport sector plays an es­sential role in linking economic activities, facilitating smooth and easy trade, supporting socioeco­nomic development, and enhanc­ing people-to-people connectiv­ity. Over the past decades, the regional transport connectivity of ASEAN has strengthened and achieved significant progress in developing a long-term and sus­tainable transport sector, and such progress reflects the lead­ership of ASEAN in the trans­port sector. The collective efforts within the sector contribute to the goals of the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity 2025 and the ASEAN Economic Commu­nity Blueprint.

He continued that this year marks the completion of the Kua­la Lumpur Transport Strategic Plan, and also the beginning of new cooperation activities aligned with the ASEAN Trans­port Sectoral Plan (2026-2030). The points discussed at the meeting play a key role in the strategic plans in the ASEAN transport development sector, and create a resilient and in­clusive transport system for all in accordance with the funda­mental principles such as part­nership engagement, unity and mutual respect. Moreover, the related meetings will be held with dialogue partners China, Japan and Korea.

The meeting was held with 10 approved programmes, and the ASEAN transport ministers approved the 2026 work plans, the Kuala Lumpur Transport Strategic Plan (2016-2025) Final eport, the ASEAN Transport Sectoral Plan (2026-2030), the ASEAN Regional Action Plan for Combatting Marine Debris, the ASEAN Roadmap for the EV, digital public transport and home-delivery service initiatives, and strategy plans for enhancing railway transport cooperation.

Then, the 24th ASEAN and China Transport Ministers Meet­ing, the 23rd ASEAN and Japan Transport Ministers Meeting, 16th ASEAN and Republic of Ko­rea Transport Ministers Meeting and the attendees approved the ASEAN-China Transport Co­operation 2026-2035, the ASE­AN-Japan Work Plan on Co­operation (2025-2026) and the ASEAN-Korea Transport Coop­eration Roadmap (2026-2030).

The 31st ASEAN Transport Ministers Meeting hosted by My­anmar was attended by the min­isters from ASEAN countries and dialogue partners, the ASEAN Secretary-General, and senior officials, totalling 187 delegates. The Philippines will host the meeting in 2026. — MNA/KTZH