Myanmar ethnic summit to be held before Panglong Conference

An ethnic summit of Myanmar will be held in northernmost Kachin state on July 26 in preparation for the government-sponsored 21st Century Panglong Ethnic Conference planned for late August, local media reported on Sunday.

The three-day summit is to be held in Mine Kyar Yan controlled by the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO).

The decision was adopted at a meeting in Chiang Mai, Thailand, on Friday involving representatives of eight signatories and other non-signatories to the Nationwide Cease fire Accord (NCA).

The non-signatory armed groups are represented by the United Nationalities Federal Council's (UNFC) Delegation for Political Negotiation (DPN).

Such ethnic summits were held in Laiza, headquarters of the KIO, Law Khee lar of the Kayin National Union (KNU), and Pansai of the United Wa State Army (UWSA) in the course of the peace process over the previous years.

Before the summit, Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi is set to hold talks with representatives of non-signatory armed groups in Yangon on July 17, according to the Preparatory Committee for Holding the 21st Century Panglong Ethnic Conference.

The committee decided to allow the NCA non-signatories to join the Panglong Conference to ensure access for them to political dialogue.

Suu Kyi has outlined the policy guidelines for the peace process which include allowing non-signatory groups to the Nationwide Cease fire Accord (NCA) to join the Panglong Conference, relaxation of restriction on inviting political parties that do not hold a parliamentary seat to the conference and functions of the National Reconciliation, and Peace Center (NRPC) in dealing with international donors and their assistance to the peace process.

The 21st Century Panglong Ethnic Conference is set to be held in Nay Pyi Taw by the last week of August.

The Myanmar government and eight ethnic armed groups out of 15 signed the NCA on Oct. 15, 2015. Enditem