2021 New Year Message from Senior General Min Aung Hlaing

1 January

Dear esteemed ethnic national brothers and sisters,

I send these good wishes for this auspicious 2021 New Year for your good health and well-being.

I said in the previous New Year’s Greetings that the Year 2020 was an important year for our country. Not only our country but also the world encountered various difficult challenges in 2020.

COVID-19 pandemic started in December 2019, and it has spread throughout the world. The Tatmadaw has kept monitoring the prevention and treatment of this disease.

Although the number of COVID-19 cases has declined in the country, constant vigilance is still needed. Strict adherence to the guidelines of the Ministry of Health and Sports could effectively control the transmission of this disease.

All countries of the world are experiencing socio-economic losses due to this pandemic. The global population is over 7,000 million. All the countries and all the people are struggling for their livelihoods.

As Myanmar is an agro-based country, strenuous efforts in agricultural and livestock sectors could help in global food security and socio-economic development of Myanmar.

The Tatmadaw will shun any matter that can hinder and disturb peacemaking processes. In implementing eternal peace, the Tatmadaw has announced a ceasefire for two years from 21 December 2018 to 31 December 2020 in five military command areas. Possible efforts will be made in the future to the utmost extent.

The ethnic armed organizations need to take the NCA path in the post-2020 in leading to a political path based on democracy and a federal system.

The Tatmadaw will make the best effort for eternal peace and national development in close cooperation with the ethnic national brothers and sisters. Let me pray once again for the people to have all their good wishes fulfilled.