EAOs urged to pursue demands through dialogue and negotiation

 

Resorting to arms to demand one’s desires, or using armed struggle based on ethnicity or regionalism to prioritize one’s own interests, is contrary to democracy.

State Administration Council Chairman, Prime Minister and Chairman of the National Solidarity and Peacemaking Central Committee Senior General Min Aung Hlaing delivered an opening address at the opening ceremony of the Peace Forum 2025 on 25 June 2025. The full text of the translated speech is as follows: —

Ladies and Gentlemen, Mingalaba.

First of all, I would like to extend my warm greetings and best wishes for physical and mental well-being, prosperity, and happiness to all those attending today’s opening ceremony of the Peace Forum 2025, including officials from the State, distinguished international guests, diplomats from various foreign embassies, both local and international experts participating in the forum discussions, representatives from political parties, individuals from civil society organizations, and delegates from various organizations.

Starting today, the Peace Forum being held is a significant milestone in the ongoing peace process, as it is an event where international scholars, officials from relevant organizations, and individuals are personally participating and engaging in discussions.

Through this ongoing discussion, we aim to engage in dialogue, coordination, and the search for solutions regarding the peace that our country primarily needs. Therefore, I believe that this forum will contribute meaningfully toward achieving long-lasting and sustainable peace in our nation.

Esteemed guests

In our country, it is known to all that with independence came internal armed conflicts. This issue has been addressed by successive governments using their own approaches as much as they could. Although a parliamentary democracy system was practised after regaining independence, due to the country’s historical and political circumstances, in 1962, the Revolutionary Council took over national responsibilities and transitioned to a socialist system, essentially a centralized form of government, which continued until 1988. Responding to the people’s demand for a transition to a multiparty democracy, Tatmadaw in 1988 undertook this transformation gradually under the State Law and Order Restoration Council and later the State Peace and Development Council. Administrative and economic systems were progressively reformed, and a constitution aligned with the country’s conditions was drafted and approved through a referendum to facilitate the implementation of a multiparty democratic system. The transition to the desired multiparty democracy was successfully and peacefully completed in 2011. Everyone has to remember that this reflects the fact that Tatmadaw has long given importance to and worked towards establishing a democratic system.

Tatmadaw, upon the emergence of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) in 2015, established the six peace principles policy, which it has continued to uphold and implement to this day. These peace policies that we have adopted and are following not only reflect the essence of the NCA but also embody the “awareness” gained through successive eras of peace efforts. They represent the “realities” that must be adhered to build a lasting and stable peace.

During the term of the second democratic government, efforts were made to rename the peace conference as the “21st Century Panglong Conference”. However, there were suggestions that this change posed historical challenges. During that time, Tatmadaw cooperated as much as possible to align with the process. We tried to strengthen civil-military relations. However, at that time, the Hluttaw and the government endorsed statements and directives that were not in line with the law and carried out many actions that violated legal frameworks. As a result, it is widely acknowledged that the second democratic government veered off the democratic path, leading to the current situation.

Esteemed guests

Our nation’s ultimate aspiration is to establish a “Union State” based on democracy and a federal system. Democracy means a system of governance chosen by the people, while federalism refers to the sharing and enjoyment of powers and rights. In other words, federalism is a principle where different regions, states, ethnic groups, and communities come together and exercise shared authority, emphasizing unity in coexistence and the equitable sharing of powers.

Therefore, to ensure broader representation of diverse groups, such as various parties and ethnic groups, I have stated that in the upcoming election at the end of this year, in addition to the currently used First-Past-The-Post (FPTP) system, a Proportional Representation (PR) system will also be applied in a mixed format.

As we have taken responsibility for the State under the 2008 Constitution, we are committed to implementing the multiparty democratic system that the people aspire to. From the beginning of our assumption of duties, we have included this commitment in the fifth point of the Five-Point Roadmap. Therefore, our government will hold elections as originally planned.

When it comes to holding general elections, it is ideal if they can be conducted nationwide. However, during the elections in 2010, 2015, and 2020, we also witnessed that it was not possible to conduct fully inclusive multiparty democratic general elections. Even during the era of the AFPFL, elections were carried out amid various difficulties. Likewise, we are currently making the necessary preparations to hold the elections as widely and extensively as possible. Most importantly, the elections must be free and fair.

Under the current circumstances, it has been observed that elections and the convening of respective Hluttaws can be carried out under the 2008 Constitution and the respective election laws of the parliaments. The Constitution stipulates that holding elections must be carried out with the decision of the National Defence and Security Council. Therefore, as originally intended, elections will be held in accordance with the provisions of the law, and power will be transferred to the government elected by the people.

The ability to hold elections largely depends on the country’s internal stability, peace, and security progress. Once elections are held, respective parliaments will emerge according to the law, and they will be able to engage in nationbuilding activities and long-term peacebuilding processes. For this reason, we all must collectively strive to successfully hold free and fair elections. When the Hluttaw is formed and the time comes to proceed along the democratic path that we aim for, we want to emphasize that resorting to arms to demand one’s desires, or using armed struggle based on ethnicity or regionalism to prioritize one’s own interests, is contrary to democracy and is not the right path. Aspirations must be discussed, decided, and implemented through the respective parliaments.

Esteemed guests

When practising and implementing democracy, it is important to learn lessons from the experiences of some countries around the world and apply them appropriately. Across the globe, although many countries adopt democratic systems, the way they practise democracy differs from one country to another. Even among Western European nations, no two countries follow the same model exactly.Similarly, in our Asian countries, there is no uniform approach either. In our case, we will not simply copy and paste other countries’ systems in practising a democratic system. Instead, we will take the lead in building and practising democracy in our own way, as our own identity aligns with our own country’s history, lifestyle, cultural characteristics, and traditional customs.

In carrying out this process, if the interests of the State and the people are placed at the forefront and everyone works together in unity, it will lead to effective success. We are not starting to practise this democratic system for the first time in our country. Since gaining independence, we have already begun implementing a parliamentary democracy system. Even then, the country faced many difficulties. Under the 2008 Constitution, when the first democratic government took office in 2011, although it was able to carry out reforms and changes in democracy, politics, economy, society, international relations, and other sectors, it also encountered numerous challenges. Learning from these lessons, it is necessary to develop and implement a democratic system that fits our own country’s context.

Esteemed guests

It is necessary to have educated people for the future of the nation. When education is weak, it leads to misunderstandings and incorrect beliefs. Only when there are educated people in every state and region can the nation’s future be assured and prosperous. Therefore, we must review and study the education systems that have been practised over time, and continue to support and implement the necessary reforms and improvements. According to current conditions, it has been found that young people today need to complete at least up to the KG+9 level of education.

“Stability and peace” are essential requirements to realize democracy. Our shared desire is primarily to ensure unity, equality, and secure socioeconomic rights for all ethnic peoples. By living peacefully and working well, we can achieve progress in our own lives. For such conditions to exist, it is truly necessary for us to meet face to face, honestly and openly exchange our views, and engage in sincere dialogue.

We are pursuing peace primarily based on the 2008 Constitution and the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) framework. The negotiation of peace needs to be free of foreign interference and internal instigational and harassment. I fully believe that only when national brethren come together with a spirit of Union and engage in political dialogue to find solutions can genuine and sustainable peace be successfully achieved.

Regarding international relations, while it is necessary to be in solidarity with countries around the world, special care must be taken not to become dominated or influenced by others. Based on our historical background, our country practises an independent, active, and non-aligned foreign policy, maintaining friendly and unbroken relations with other nations, and peacefully coexisting according to the five principles of peaceful coexistence. It is also necessary to have cooperative relations with neighboring countries that cannot be divided from us, and to respect and uphold our existing laws.

Esteemed guests

Right after the State Administration Council took office, the very first priority was negotiating a durable peace. Therefore, committees for peace were also established. From February 2021 until now, the door has always been open for peace talks, with no preconditions, and invitations and meetings for discussions have been conducted, as everyone is already aware.

I earnestly urge ethnic armed organizations to sincerely and genuinely consider striking a balance between their own wishes and organizational interests and the interests of the Union and all ethnic peoples, and work with foresight and vision toward achieving peace in the Union.

When we pursue a multiparty democratic system, differences of opinion between individuals can arise. However, demanding one’s desires through armed struggle line is the wrong path. Political problems must be resolved by political methods — that is the most correct way. Therefore, I urge ethnic armed organizations to actively work towards finding solutions to their demands through political dialogue and negotiation. Only then can all of us ethnic peoples unite, cooperate, and firmly build the Union based on the democracy and federal system we aspire to.

Resolving internal conflict and achieving lasting, durable peace is absolutely crucial in our efforts to build the Union we aspire to. In light of the losses and sufferings caused by armed conflict and violent acts in the country, it is necessary to work hand in hand with the people to achieve lasting peace and development. Therefore, ethnic armed organizations opposing the State, violent insurgent groups, and PDF terrorist groups are repeatedly invited and encouraged to abandon the path of armed struggle and acts of terrorism and instead resolve political issues through political means via political parties and electoral processes. Since political solutions can only be found through dialogue around the negotiating table, this forum reiterates its continuous welcome and openness to peace talks.

Esteemed guests

In today’s forum, individuals from various sectors and diverse organizations are participating. We have invited all stakeholders involved in peace to make this forum an inclusive national dialogue. However, some were unable to attend due to various reasons. We remain always open and welcoming for meetings and discussions, keeping the interests of the country and its people in mind. It would be better for the country if all relevant parties could participate and engage in dialogue as early as possible. Therefore, we extend further invitations for such meetings and discussions.

Peace is not something that can be clearly defined or fixed. It must be achieved and realized through positive results that arise out of meetings, discussions, and negotiations. Therefore, all of us must first and foremost come together and engage in dialogue without fail. It is each of our responsibilities to make such meetings and discussions possible.

We have always kept the door to peace open and welcoming. Therefore, we encourage all armed groups to actively work toward finding solutions to their legitimate demands through political dialogue and close negotiation.

We conclude by saying, “Let us walk together hand in hand on the path of dialogue to end armed conflicts and achieve lasting and sustainable peace in our country”.

#TheGlobalNewLightOfMyanmar