Agreed On The14 Points at 2018 Union Peace Conference- Top Political Dialogue – AMT participating

Agreed On The14 Points at 2018 Union Peace Conference- Top Political Dialogue – AMT Participating

16-July-2018

Representatives of the Government, Parliament, Tatmadaw (Myanmar Army), the ethnic armed organizations (EAOs – Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement Group) and political parties have agreed on the 14 points in connection with the four major sectors — political, economic, social, land and environmental sectors — the Union Peace Dialogue Joint Committee (UPDJC) presented to the Union Peace Conference — 21st Century Panglong (Third Session)- 11- 16 (July) which is the Top Political Dialogue- 2018 July- to be signed as the second part of the Union Accord, according to a press meet. I, Aung Myint Thu, am one of decision makers at this conference- 2018, mainly being a nominated representative at Social Sector Principle Development. There are five sectors and one of the sectors I am one of the decision makers.

The agreed principles in accordance with the NCA were signed by leaders of participant groups of the government, parliament, military, ceasefired ethnic armed groups and political parties. Despite some terminological changes in the political sector and some disagreements, finally an accord was reached on the 14 points in connection with the four major sectors — political, economic, social, land and environmental issues.The statement released by the conference says that the conference will be held for three times — one in 2018 and the other two in 2019. But a consensus was reached for another conference in 2020.

Relevant groups will review the issue, followed by collective discussions. The work of making amendments on the political framework and assessments will be carried out in early September. The participation of all the seven ethnic armed groups from northern Myanmar is a good initiation for all-inclusiveness. Ten ethnic armed groups already signing the NCA attended the conference, while seven other non-signatory groups of the Northern Alliance, which were invited to the meeting, vowed to continue the peace process with the government.

The four political-related basic principles highlight gender equality, inclusion of at least 30 percent by women in each sector, prevention of violence against women and raising of women's capacity. "Inclusion of at least 30 percent by women in each sector" was mainly discussed by me (Aung Myint Thu) at Social Sector and its proposal is successful.

The one economic-related basic principle calls for rights for regional or state governments to devise and implement economic development policy and projects of their own as a priority for the interest of their regional people without impacting on other regions or states.

The seven social-related basic principles include implementation of all-inclusive education system, universal health coverage, enactment of laws that guarantee women's rights and harm reduction for drug addicts.

The two land and environmental-related basic principles deal with the requirements that land in the country belongs to local citizens only and shall not be owned by foreigners directly or indirectly, and pre-assessment shall be made in terms of environmental, social and health impact as well as coordination with local people before implementing projects using land.

The participation of non-signatories has made the conference significant. They met with others, including the Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Services. In the past, the three northern groups, the non- signatories- AA, TNLA and MNDAA are thinking whether they should sign. Currently, the The final day of the conference witnessed the signing of 14-points — four points of the political sector, one point of the economic sector, seven points of the social sector and two points of the land and environment sector –as the second part of the Union Accord. The Second Session of the Union Peace Conference — 21st Century Panglong agreed 37 points on the four sectors and the present conference signed another 14 points. So, the Union Accord has already had 51 agreed points.

Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi attending the conference, giving speech, where she called for the next move to complete a Union Accord for Peace following the adoption of more basic principles as part of the union pact.

The signing of 14 more basic principles is designed for a new step towards winning more results for peace, she said in her closing remarks at the third session of the 21st Century Panglong Peace Conference in Nay Pyi Taw.

Suu Kyi expressed delight over the good results obtained in the peace process, citing separate meetings between the government and non-signatory armed groups to the National Ceasefire Accord (NCA) as a sign of goodwill.

I participated at Union Peace Conference- The highest Top Political Dialogue, working at Documentation Team in 2017. Since I gained lots of experiences from the team, this year- 2018, I was nominated as representative at UPC.