• Burmese
Saturday, May 17, 2025
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTER
The Irrawaddy
18 °c
Ashburn
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
No Result
View All Result
The Irrawaddy
No Result
View All Result
Home News Burma

State Counselor: Peace Conference Agreements ‘A Significant Step’ for Burma

Nyein Nyein by Nyein Nyein
May 29, 2017
in Burma
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0 0
A A
Union Peace Conference representatives from the government, the Parliament, the Burma Army, political parties, and ethnic armed groups that are signatories to the nationwide ceasefire agreed to 37 of 41 basic federal principles and signed part 1 of the Union Accord on Monday. / Myo Min Soe / The Irrawaddy

Union Peace Conference representatives from the government, the Parliament, the Burma Army, political parties, and ethnic armed groups that are signatories to the nationwide ceasefire agreed to 37 of 41 basic federal principles and signed part 1 of the Union Accord on Monday. / Myo Min Soe / The Irrawaddy

6.7k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

NAYPYIDAW – The stakeholders’ negotiations at the Union Peace Conference (UPC) “mark a significant step” toward future democratic federalism, said the State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi at the closing ceremony of the second 21st Century Panglong in Naypyidaw.

Despite encountering disagreements over the basic federal principles of equality and self-determination—among the government, the political parties, the Tatmadaw and the ethnic armed organizations—the members of the Union Peace Dialogue Joint Committee (UPDJC) who organized the event are optimistic that the conference achieved its aims “to some extent.”

Over the weekend, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who is also the chairperson of the UPDJC, participated in negotiating the key terms of the federal principles, such as those concerning secession from the Union and equality between the Tatmadaw and the ethnic armed organizations.

RelatedPosts

Breaking the 60-Year Political Cycle in Myanmar

Breaking the 60-Year Political Cycle in Myanmar

May 12, 2025
1.2k
Myanmar Junta Boss’s Moscow Visits Deepens Russia Ties

Myanmar Junta Boss’s Moscow Visits Deepens Russia Ties

May 9, 2025
752
Inside the Myanmar Junta’s Post-Earthquake Theater of Control

Inside the Myanmar Junta’s Post-Earthquake Theater of Control

May 7, 2025
1.1k

“The agreements that we have been able to sign today mark a significant step on our path toward peace, national reconciliation, and the emergence of a democratic federal Union,” said the State Counselor. “Reaching these agreements has not been easy; we have encountered moments of disappointment as well as inspiration along the way.”

“Yet I am greatly encouraged that despite our many different views and perspectives, we have been able, through frank discussion and negotiation, to reach common positions,” she added, stating that the foundations for democracy and federalism for future generations have been laid through dialogue.

After the negotiations, stakeholder representatives from the government, Parliament, the Burma Army, political parties, and ethnic armed groups who were signatories to the nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA) agreed to 37 of 41 basic federal principles and signed part 1 of the Union Accord on Monday.

The first part of the accord was signed by Dr. Tin Myo Win, the chairman of the Peace Commission; U Tun Tun Hein, the chairman of Lower House’s bill committee; Lt-General Tin Maung Win; Padoh Saw Kwe Htoo Win, the vice chairman of Karen National Union; and U Thu Wai, the representative of the political parties.

However, key principles regarding equality, self-determination and federalism have not yet been included in the accord, and delegates said further discussion would continue in this regard.

U Yaw Thet, the chairman of the Lahu National Development Party said that the UPC at this point served as a forum to collect perspectives. “It is not yet easy to make any concrete decisions as not every group is participating in the process yet.”

The debate about the term “non-secession from the Union” was not settled and the Tatmadaw wants a commitment from the ethnic armed organizations that they pledge not to separate from the state.

Daw Saw Mra Yar Zar Lin, a UPDJC secretary and member of the Arakan Liberation Party said they had agreed to the signing of the first part of the Union accord, but that each of the armed groups did not need to sign on its own.

She said, “It cannot be said that ALP is pleased about the outcomes, because we are being suppressed, and we could not fully bring our people’s desires [to the UPC],” referring to not being able to conduct the ethnic-based national level political dialogue in Arakan and Shan states.

“But we contributed to the discussion over general principles, which reflected the people’s desires,” she explained, adding that Monday’s agreement is just a part of the Union accord, which can be further reviewed and revised.

The eight ethnic armed organizations—the NCA signatories—also discussed during the six-day conference how they will move forward in the peace process, despite holding different opinions than the Tatmadaw.

Lt-Col Sai Ngern of the Restoration Council of Shan State said that they “had compromised with understanding, in order to keep the peace process ongoing.”

“We have also begun to learn how we might be able to create unity out of diversity,” Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said, adding that “we can find similarities despite our differences and we can identify common ground through peaceful negotiation.”

She urged the public “to continue actively along the path of peace and to remain focused on the future,” to end the decades-long conflict in the country.

Your Thoughts …
Tags: Daw Aung San Suu KyiEthnic IssuesMilitaryPeace ProcessPolitics
Nyein Nyein

Nyein Nyein

The Irrawaddy

Similar Picks:

AA Urges Myanmar Junta Troops to Surrender as Western Command Burns
War Against the Junta

AA Urges Myanmar Junta Troops to Surrender as Western Command Burns

by The Irrawaddy
December 18, 2024
25.2k

Ethnic army reportedly poised to capture regime’s last stronghold in Rakhine State.

Read moreDetails
Myanmar General in Charge of Shan State Disaster Handed Surprise Promotion
Burma

Myanmar General in Charge of Shan State Disaster Handed Surprise Promotion

by The Irrawaddy
February 5, 2024
24.3k

Naing Naing Oo elevated to Lieutenant-General and made chief of powerful Bureau of Special Operations No. 2, in a reshuffle...

Read moreDetails
Myanmar’s Chief of Eastern Command Purged After Karenni Defeats
Burma

Myanmar’s Chief of Eastern Command Purged After Karenni Defeats

by The Irrawaddy
January 12, 2024
20k

Major-General Hla Moe is reportedly the latest junta commander to pay the price for sweeping gains made by resistance forces. 

Read moreDetails
Myanmar Junta Counteroffensives Failing Across Country: Analysts
Analysis

Myanmar Junta Counteroffensives Failing Across Country: Analysts

by Hein Htoo Zan
September 20, 2024
16.7k

Three major operations to retake territory from ethnic armies and their allies are being hampered by troop shortages, experts say.

Read moreDetails
Junta Watch: Sinking Feeling as Myanmar Navy Faces Onslaught in Rakhine; and More
Junta Watch

Junta Watch: Sinking Feeling as Myanmar Navy Faces Onslaught in Rakhine; and More

by The Irrawaddy
January 27, 2024
14.2k

Also this week, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s home to be sold, Karen mission fails, ultimate penalty for beaten generals,...

Read moreDetails
Myanmar Junta Orders All Security Personnel to Frontline as Losses Mount in Hard-Hit Regional Commands
Burma

Myanmar Junta Orders All Security Personnel to Frontline as Losses Mount in Hard-Hit Regional Commands

by The Irrawaddy
May 31, 2024
13.5k

Full-time military service order covers soldiers, personnel, police and border guards in eight regional commands.

Read moreDetails
Load More
Next Post
Ten Things to do in Rangoon This Week (May 29 – June 4)

Ten Things to do in Rangoon This Week (May 29 – June 4)

A satellite shot of Cyclone Mora. / Myanmar Department of Meteorology and Hydrology

Cyclone Brings Destruction to Burma Refugee Camps in Bangladesh

No Result
View All Result

Recommended

Breaking the 60-Year Political Cycle in Myanmar

Breaking the 60-Year Political Cycle in Myanmar

5 days ago
1.2k
How Myanmar Junta Uses Air Force to Fight Its Corner

How Myanmar Junta Uses Air Force to Fight Its Corner

4 days ago
1.1k

Most Read

  • Workers at Adidas Factory in Myanmar Strike for Living Wage

    Workers at Adidas Factory in Myanmar Strike for Living Wage

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Ousted Myanmar Envoy to UK Charged With Trespass in London Residence Row

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Three Japanese Firms Ditch Myanmar Port Project

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar Junta Abandons Chinese Pipeline Amid Resistance Attacks

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Mandalay Authorities ‘Dragging Their Feet’ Over Post-Earthquake Rebuilding

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Newsletter

Get The Irrawaddy’s latest news, analyses and opinion pieces on Myanmar in your inbox.

Subscribe here for daily updates.

Contents

  • News
  • Politics
  • War Against the Junta
  • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
  • Conflicts In Numbers
  • Junta Crony
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Asia
  • World
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Election 2020
  • Elections in History
  • Cartoons
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Commentary
  • Guest Column
  • Analysis
  • Letters
  • In Person
  • Interview
  • Profile
  • Dateline
  • Specials
  • Myanmar Diary
  • Women & Gender
  • Places in History
  • On This Day
  • From the Archive
  • Myanmar & COVID-19
  • Intelligence
  • Myanmar-China Watch
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Fashion & Design
  • Videos
  • Photos
  • Photo Essay
  • Donation

About The Irrawaddy

Founded in 1993 by a group of Myanmar journalists living in exile in Thailand, The Irrawaddy is a leading source of reliable news, information, and analysis on Burma/Myanmar and the Southeast Asian region. From its inception, The Irrawaddy has been an independent news media group, unaffiliated with any political party, organization or government. We believe that media must be free and independent and we strive to preserve press freedom.

  • Copyright
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Team
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Burmese

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Business Roundup
  • Books
  • Donation

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.