Consensus and Common Understanding of the U.S.-Myanmar Conference

Consensus and Common Understanding of the Conference
The U.S.-Myanmar Engagement Conference
May 29, 2015

The conference convened three panel discussions: “Contextualizing Myanmar”, “Doing Business in and with Myanmar”, and “The Political and Legal Reform Process: Current Status and Future.” A group of esteemed panelists engaged in the three dynamic panels: Anne M. Gillman, U.S. Department of Commerce; Dr. Nicholas Farrelly, Australian National University; Dany Khy, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID); Aye Sanda Lwin, Embassy of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Washington, D.C.; Jay Martin, US-ASEAN Business Council, Harn Yawnghwe, Euro-Burma Office; and Dr. Nehginpao Kipgen, independent Burma researcher. Jane Gehlhausen of the Office of Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard, Charles Reafsnyder of Indiana University Bloomington’s Office of International Development, and Mark Cooper of the U.S. Department of Commerce office in Indiana served as the panel moderators.

After a day of in-depth and extensive discussions, during which panelists and attendees actively participated and engaged, the conference reached the following consensus and common understanding on the topics covered:

1. The conference recognizes the complex nature of the Myanmar’s political crises, which is deeply rooted in ethnic conflict and appreciate the fact that the Burmese military has initiated the reform process which is being undertaken so far by President U Thein Sein’s government.
2. The U.S. engagement with Burma and multifaceted approach policy towards the Southeast Asia nation, maintained selective sanctions imposed on the country, while engaging and supporting various mechanisms and organizations to further democracy and development.
3. The conference understands that a good number of the U.S. companies have begun conducting business in the country with a belief that such will have long-lasting positive impacts for both U.S. businesses and the Myanmar people. After undergoing numerous iterations, the legal environment and the process for foreign investment remains a significant challenge. The Myanmar government is working towards improving the legal framework and policy surrounding foreign investments, and the U.S. government is committed to providing further technical assistance and supporting responsible investments, adhering to the principles of Corporate Social Responsibility.
4. The conference sees the importance of the success of ongoing ceasefire negotiations before 2015 elections; the need for constitutional reform for the 2015 elections to be free and fair; and that these conditions and the implementation of the elections will be measured as a barometer for the country’s commitment to democracy, transparency, and human rights.
5. The conference identified lack of capacity in the country as a significant challenge; therefore, the conference calls for further support in an effort to increase resources that invest in people and education through economic development that builds local institutional capacity and fosters freedom and more equitable prosperity.
6. The conference reaffirmed the understanding that only continued and constructive engagement and inclusive dialogue among the stakeholders inside—including political parties and ethnic armed organizations—with the support and participation of expatriates and the international community will help the country reach national reconciliation, sustained peace, and prosperity in Myanmar in the long-term.