Civil society organisations (CSOs) must cooperate so that true peace can be achieved according to a statement issued by the Burma Southeast Region Civil Society Organizations (BSERCSOs) conference, the Independent Mon News Agency reported on 26 September.
The statement said: "It was agreed and decided as one that it is necessary for BSERCSOs to achieve peace and, in the near future, to join together and carry out projects that benefit the people."
The conference was held from 21 to 23 September at State Hall, Moulmein. Representatives from 114 CSOs in Karenni, Karen and Mon states and Tenasserim Division attended. Other people attending included: Mon and Karen State government representatives, Hluttaw representatives, Senior Delegation (SD) leaders and members and representatives from 14 international non-governmental organisations.
The conference also called on the organisations participating in the peace process to implement a genuine peace that guarantees people's livelihoods and establishes a peaceful federal union.