Myanmar kicks off 21st Century Panglong Peace Conference
Myanmar’s 21st Century Panglong Peace Conference opened in the capital of Nay Pyi Taw on August 31, aiming to end nearly-seven-decade-long conflicts in the country.
 |
The five–day historical event sees the participation of about 1,800 representatives of the government, the military, ethnic armed groups, political parties, foreign diplomats, and international organisations, among others.
Unlike previous ceasefire accords or peace conferences which only gathered some particular ethnic communities, the 21st Century Panglong Peace Conference invited almost all ethnic armed groups, including non-signatories to the Nationwide Ceasefire Accord (NCA) reached in last October.
Opening the conference, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon reiterated the organisation’s continued support for the country’s peace process and the new government’s building of the democratic society.
On the first day of the event, the Union Peace Dialogue Joint Committee (UPDJC), the joint Monitoring Committee (JMC) and the Preparatory Committee for the Panglong Peace Conference will present their reports on the framework of a national-level political dialogue.
Group-wise meetings will take place over the following days of the conference, according to the agenda.
Observers lauded Myanmar’s efforts in speeding up the peace process and the Panglong Peace Conference, which is expected to help the country shape its political future with a harmony of interest between the State and ethnic groups.
