Deputy Foreign Minister of Myanmar, Kyaw Thu, has been appointed to lead the Tripartite Core Group (TCG) that has been set up to ensure close coordination of relief and recovery efforts, among other things, for the victims of Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar.

One of his important roles will be to liaise directly with the Myanmar Central Coordinating Board, which is chaired by the Prime Minister of Myanmar, to ensure effective and expeditious deployment of international assistance.  The Tripartite Core Group comprises representatives from the Government of Myanmar, ASEAN, and the UN.

ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Surin Pitsuwan welcomed the appointment of Mr Kyaw Thu, saying the Deputy Foreign Minister, in his capacity as Chair of the TCG, will play a critical role in liaising between the international aid community, including ASEAN and the UN, with all levels of the Government of Myanmar.

The ASEAN-led mechanism for humanitarian relief and recovery efforts in the cyclone-hit Irrawaddy delta will be supported by the Coordinating Office for the ASEAN Humanitarian Task Force, which has been set up in Yangon.  The establishment of the Coordinating Office has been reported to the ASEAN Foreign Ministers.

Dr Surin, who chairs the ASEAN Humanitarian Task Force, will hold a second meeting of the Task Force on 29 May 2008 to discuss the necessary follow-ups.  The teleconference will be conducted from the ASEAN Secretariat.  The first meeting was held in Yangon on 25 May 2008.