This project aims to provide training opportunities for Myanmar diplomats so that they may acquire the ability to host high-level ASEAN conferences, to improve Myanmar's ability to fulfill its responsibilities as a member of ASEAN, to increase the trust of other member nations toward Myanmar, and to help Myanmar maintain good partnerships with other ASEAN members.
Under the self-operated component of the project, SPF invited a former official of the Myanmar Ministry of Foreign Affairs with a broad network of contacts within the Myanmar government to serve as country coordinator and give advice regarding Sasakawa Pan Asia Fund activities related to Myanmar, including this project.
In fiscal 2007, 18 junior- and mid-level Myanmar diplomats were dispatched to senior-officials, meetings and preparatory meetings of the 40th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (July 26-August 2, 2007, in Manila), the 13th ASEAN Summit and the East Asia Summit (November 18-22 in Singapore), and workshops held by the ASEAN Secretariat (January 28-31, 2008, in Jakarta). These activities enhanced the capacity of Myanmar diplomats and enabled them to build ties with people of other countries, thereby contributing to maintaining Myanmar's relationships with member countries of ASEAN.