The need to maintain the right balance between economic development and heritage conservation was the core message that emerged from the ASEF Experts’ Meeting and Public Forum on ‘Investing in Heritage Cities: Stimulus for Sustainable Tourism and Livelihoods’, held on 24-25 June 2013 in Yangon, Myanmar. During the two-day meeting, over 30 experts from about 25 Asian and European countries shared good practices from cities in both regions.
Speaking at the opening ceremony on Monday, 24 June, H.E. Sanda Khin, Deputy Minister of Culture, Myanmar and H.E. Tin Shwe, Deputy Minister of Hotels and Tourism, Myanmar acknowledged that the ASEF meeting served to promote greater knowledge exchange between Asia and Europe.
The vital role of urban heritage in the management of thriving cities was confirmed by the Mayor of Yangon, H.E. U Hla Myint, at the Public Forum on ‘Conservation Strategies for Yangon’s Heritage’ on Tuesday, 25 June.
Over 100 government officials, heritage experts and tourism professionals from Myanmar attended the event in Yangon. ASEF will present the full set of recommendations from the meeting at the next Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Culture Ministers’ Meeting scheduled to take place in 2014.