Secretary-General Lim Byung-jin visited the Myanmar Embassy in Seoul on January 23, where he met with Ambassador Thant Sin. During the meeting, Mr. Lim provided a comprehensive overview of NEAR’s ongoing initiatives, including details about the associate membership program, and outlined the major activities planned for the current year.

In light of the international political landscape and the increasing significance of ASEAN, he emphasized the potential for fruitful cooperation between NEAR and local governments in Southeast Asia. To that extent, Mr. Lim conveyed his hope for Naypyitaw or Yangon Region, Myanmar, to join NEAR as an associate member.  Mr. Lim sought the active support of the Myanmar Embassy in Seoul for this endeavor.

Mr. Thant, after gaining a deeper understanding of NEAR through Mr. Lim's detailed presentation and its associate membership system, expressed the embassy's willingness to facilitate the associate membership of Naypyitaw or Yangon Region.

Also, Mr. Thant also hopes that Napyitaw  or Yangon Region can promote exchange and cooperation with NEAR member regions as an associate member of NEAR.

It is worth noting that NEAR, during its 11th General Assembly (Irkutsk, Russia, 2016) and 13th NEAR High-level Working Committee (Ulsan, South Korea, 2022),  decided to extend associate membership to metropolitan governments located outside the Northeast Asian region. Currently, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, holds the status of an associate member.