Measuring the Distance to the 2030 Targets and the Impact of COVID-19 in Myanmar

Abstract

Since 2011, a triple transition has been ongoing in Myanmar – from a planned to an open market economy, from military to civilian rule, from conflict to peace. Myanmar’s transition brought immediate economic gains and high expectations of progress. But disparities are widening, both driven by and fuelling persisting conflicts. The economic reform momentum has not been steady and environmental risks challenge further progress.

This chapter explores the potential impacts of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic on Myanmar’s progress towards sustainable development using the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a benchmark. First, we examine the five priority areas which were suggested as a framework for action complementarities between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Community Vision 2025 and the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in 2017: (i) poverty eradication, (ii) infrastructure and connectivity, (iii) national resources management, (iv) sustainable consumption and productivity, and (v) resilience. Then we compare their progress with countries in the ASEAN region, as well as a list of countries which fits within a similar fragility profile.

Myanmar was making good progress in the priority areas of ‘infrastructure and connectivity’ and ‘sustainable consumption and productivity’ despite being vulnerable to external shocks. Like other nations dealing with sustainable development constraints and conflicts, Myanmar faces destabilising risks from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Government of Myanmar is overburdened with the struggle against the pandemic. Regional cooperation is even more important in Myanmar because of its economic dependence and labour outflows/remittances. The development trajectories should not be seen as distracting focus on SDGs but enhanced emphasis on it.