The Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General on Myanmar Noeleen Heyzer affirmed her commitment on Saturday at the 19th Shangri-La Dialogue Asia Security Summit to work with all parties in Myanmar towards the cessation of violence and urgent access for humanitarian aid.
The Special Envoy delivered her address to the Special Session entitled “Myanmar: Finding a Way Forward” focusing on how the international community can best assist the people of Myanmar, according to a UN press release.
She was joined by panelists including Saifuddin Abdullah, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia; Pornpimol Kanchanalak, Adviser to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Special Representative of the Minister of Foreign Affairs on Myanmar, Thailand; and Derek Chollet, Counselor of the Department, US Department of State.
“The people of Myanmar have changed, there is a new dynamic. The youth have created a solidarity that has been able to go beyond ethnicity and religion, and there is greater discussion on inclusiveness and the type of future they want,” Ms. Heyzer said.
Addressing the inter-governmental security conference, the Special Envoy emphasized that more needs to be done to deliver aid through all existing channels and inclusive processes, to support local humanitarian networks and to build community-based resilience. Humanitarian support must be delivered without discrimination and not be instrumentalized for political or military gain.
Special Envoy Heyzer told the audience of her continuing consultations with all Myanmar stakeholders representing parties to the conflict and civil society, including women community leaders who have highlighted the urgent need for humanitarian support and protection for women and children. In concert with Retno Marsudi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, Ms. Heyzer continues to explore strategies to advance the Women, Peace and Security platform on Myanmar.
In her bridging capacity helping to amplify the voices of the people of Myanmar and align regional and international efforts, Special Envoy Heyzer emphasized the crucial role of ASEAN in de-escalating the crisis and importance of restarting momentum on the Five-Point Consensus. In addition to the humanitarian obligation to the people of Myanmar, the worsening security situation has major consequences for the entire region.
“There are a lot of protection needs that have not been addressed, people are suffering really badly, and people are trying to find solutions. If we can bring different stakeholders together to solve concrete problems, that will start the confidence-building,” Special Envoy Heyzer said. “I always like to start from the ground up and from real problems, with people having real solutions and willing to come together.”
As of 26 May, more than 1 million people have been displaced in Myanmar, with more than half of them losing their homes since the 1 February 2021 military coup. More than 40,200 people have fled to neighbouring countries and 12,700 houses, religious buildings and schools have been destroyed.
The Special Envoy will address the United Nations General Assembly on 13 June to brief UN Member States on the urgent situation in Myanmar.
