Union Peace Conference to be held no later than 31 August

29 June 2016
Union Peace Conference to be held no later than 31 August
Myanmar Foreign Minister and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi (C) speaks to leaders of ethnic armed organisations during a meeting in Nay Pyi Taw on 28 June, 2016. Photo: Min Min/Mizzima

The Myanmar government and eight signatories to the nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA) have decided to hold the Union Peace Conference, also known as the 21st Century Panglong Peace Conference, before the end of August, state media reported today.
The State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi met with leaders of ethnic armed organisations in Naypyitaw yesterday.Participants at the meeting also discussed the inclusionof armed ethnic organisations who have not signed the previous government’s NCA or have been left out of the previous talks and signing.
Aung San Suu Kyi called for establishing a basis of trust and understanding between the ethnic groups and the government in order for peace to be properly implemented. The State Counsellor also called for a sense of responsibility for peace talks and goodwill in working towards achieving a federal Union, the report said.