17 July

The Work Committees on Organizing the 4th session of the Union Peace Conference – 21st Century Panglong– held a coordination meeting at the Ministry of the Office of the State Counsellor in Nay Pyi Taw at 2 pm yesterday. 

U Khin Maung Tin, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of the Office of the State Counsellor and also Secretary of the Central Committee on Organizing the 4th session of the Union Peace Conference, permanent secretaries, directors-general, delegates from Ethnic Armed Organizations as well as political parties, and other relevant officials attended the coordination meeting. 

At the meeting, the Deputy Minister U Khin Maung Tin, in his capacity as Secretary of the Central Committee, said that the objective of the meeting is to effectively implement the decisions made in the Central Committee’s meeting led by the Central Committee Vice-Chairman and Union Minister U Kyaw Tint Swe, and to make detailed discussions at the working level.

The deputy minister reiterated that the 4th edition of UPC will have to be held amid the COVID-19 crisis because it is very important for politics and peace process. 

The deputy minister also requested all the Work Committees to make detailed discussions on matters related to invitation, transportation, accommodation, security, healthcare, finance, coordination among the committee.

Regarding the delegates from the EAOs and political parties, the deputy minister said that the numbers of delegates from respective groups and the list of their names would have to be discussed. He also stressed that the Ministry of Health and Sports needs to provide COVID-19-related arrangements. 

The detailed plans for the opening ceremony of the upcoming conference, relevant signing ceremonies, information matters, required medical tests, and security preparation should be discussed, said the deputy minister.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Deputy Director-General U Thet Tun, the Ministry of Border Affairs Director-General U Thein Htay Oo, Ministry of Transport and Communications Deputy Director-General U Thint Myat Thu, Nay Pyi Taw Development Committee Permanent Secretary U Myo Aung, Ministry of Hotels and Tourism Director-General U Maung Maung Kyaw, Myanmar Police Force Deputy Chief Police Maj-Gen Aung Naing Thu, Ministry of Information Permanent Secretary U Myo Myint Maung, Ministry of Health and Sports Director-General Dr Soe Oo, Ministry of Planning, Finance and Industry Director General U Zaw Naing, Ministry of the Office of the State Counsellor Director-General U Zaw Htay, UPDJC Secretary Yebaw Myo Win (from the group of EAOs) , and UPDJC Secretary U Myint Soe (from the group of political parties) explained their preparations for the conference and made sector-wise discussions. In response to their discussions, Deputy Minister U Khin Maung Tin made necessary suggestions followed by the discussions of attendees. 

In his concluding remark, the deputy minister advised the EAOs and political parties for their discussions for ensuring all-inclusive meetings although they did not hold talks in the three previous meetings.

MNA (Translated by Maung Maung Swe)