UNITED NATIONS, ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS TO CONVENE INTERNATIONAL PLEDGING CONFERENCE FOR MYANMAR ON 25 MAY

The following is a statement issued jointly by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the Chair of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN):

In recognition of the outpouring of international solidarity and support for alleviating the devastating impact of Cyclone Nargis on Myanmar and the widespread suffering caused to its people, the United Nations and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), announce the convening of an ASEAN-United Nations International Pledging Conference.  This Conference will be held on Sunday, 25 May, in Yangon, Myanmar, and will be co-chaired by the United Nations and ASEAN.  Member States of the United Nations are invited to participate in the Conference at the ministerial level.

The Conference will focus on the needs of those affected by the cyclone, and seek international support and financial assistance for the international humanitarian response to meet the most urgent challenges, as well as longer-term recovery efforts.

The co-conveners call on the international community to rise to the occasion and translate their solidarity and sympathy into concrete commitments to help the people of Myanmar emerge from the tragedy and rebuild their lives.

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