Acting President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Chairman of State Security and Peace Commission of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Chairman of National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Central Committee Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing addresses 10th Anniversary of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA)

Acting President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Chairman of State Security and Peace Commission of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Chairman of National Unity and Peace Restoration Central Committee Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing then unveiled the signboard of the NCA 10^th Anniversary. The Senior General and attendees wrote their views on the peace process and hung the letters on the peace tree.

The Senior General and attendees looked around the NCA 10^th Anniversary commemorative booths at the Lobby of MICC-I with keen interest.

The second section of the ceremony was opened with LED animation at the Jade Hall of MICC-I. The Flag of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar was collectively saluted.

A dance team of the Fine Arts Department of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture staged a performance to the accompaniment of the song “towards a modern and new nation” in honor of the NCA 10^th Anniversary. A video clip “From NCA, a future will be shaped with sustainable peace” on the birth of NCA, peace and development was shown.

Afterward, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing delivered the NCA 10^th Anniversary address. (The address is featured separately).

In his supplemental address, the Senior General said the country regained independence over 77 years ago, and the 80^th Anniversary will fall in 2028, but the country has not fully enjoyed the essence of independence till now. Since the country regained independence, national people have been facing various kinds of miseries due to multiple causes. The country’s situation can be compared with the stable and developing ones including neighbors. Myanmar lacked behind in development if compared with the ones with similar population, area, and economy, resulting from alien impacts. The worst is that our citizens are weak in intellectual, techno-logical and academic knowledge according to the census. The census findings must be taken as a serious lesson that is reminding the government to enhance the education level of citizens.

He stated that the country has experienced various eras and systems since achieving independence, noting that, as he mentioned at the previous peace conference, they have gone through both “the elder’s phase” and “the younger’s phase.” He recalled that during the 1988 democracy movement, the people demanded a path toward multi-party democracy. In alignment with the people’s wishes, Tatmadaw facilitated the transition to the desired multi-party democracy path in 2011. He added that they have simultaneously worked to build a Union based on democracy and a federal system that is more complete than a mere multi-party democracy, noting that Tatmadaw took the lead in this effort. While acknowledging that the Constitution was drafted under the circumstances of that time and therefore needs amendments now, he stated that since their government took charge in 2021, they have repeatedly met with ethnic armed organizations, political parties, and other relevant individuals—either personally or through representatives—to discuss amending the Constitution and have granted certain agreements in that regard. He stated that his desire is for the country to be peaceful and prosperous, emphasizing the need to analyze what has been left behind. He asserted that while they are implementing what is feasible, ethnic groups and relevant individuals must also only discuss and pursue what is possible, as attempting to implement the impossible will not work. He concluded by stressing that everyone must act with the correct objective.

He further stated that Hluttaw, as the political stage, is the best place for ethnic groups to present their demands. Consequently, when considering this issue, he worked towards adopting a Proportional Representation (PR) system, which necessitated changing the election form for the upcoming election. He stressed that this change was implemented with the agreement of all political parties. He announced that the election will be held in December, and currently, 57 political parties are registered to contest: 6 parties will compete nationwide, and 51 will compete in regions and states. With over 5,000 registered candidates, he expressed his belief that this will be a strong election. He recalled that past experience from the three previous elections showed that casting ballots on paper and using advance votes resulted in voter fraud and errors. Therefore, arrangements have been made to allow voting using Myanmar Electronic Voting Machines (MEVMs), which prevent fraud. He expressed confidence that this approach will lead to a free and fair election. The election will be conducted in three stages: 102 townships in the first round, 100 townships in the second, and the remaining townships in the third. He acknowledged that it will not be possible to hold the election in 100 percent of all areas due to various reasons, just as a full turnout was not achieved in the previous three elections. The intention is for the next government to hold by-elections in the remaining townships later.

 He stated that it is essential for the nation to stand firmly on the path of democracy chosen by the people, and the Tatmadaw is firmly committed to this. He emphasized that when building the state, one must consider the nation’s history and its geopolitical importance. He noted that as the country is situated between two global powers with different political systems—China and India—it is crucial for the nation to maintain a correct and proper stance. He stated that the nation’s foreign policy is one of non-alignment and continuous friendly relations between nations, and that this policy must be seriously considered when building a democratic and federal state. In undertaking this construction, he stressed that it is crucial to prioritize education to address the existing weakness of low levels of knowledge, technical skills, and academic education. Therefore, as a first step, arrangements must be made to ensure compulsory education up to KG + 9. He mentioned that arrangements have been made for students in the recently recontrolled Kyaukme area to resume their education as quickly as possible. He stressed the need to prevent children’s education from being lost or delayed, emphasizing that this must be done with empathy, as if for one’s own children and by parents for their own. Therefore, he stated that he is working to ensure that children across the country do not fall behind in their education. Similarly, efforts are underway to quickly rebuild, repair, and reopen universities, colleges, and basic education schools that were temporarily closed due to damage from terrorist attacks. He added that preparations are being made to open another university soon, reiterating that the nation cannot afford to fall behind in education.

 He urged the people, local leaders, and town elders to control and manage the situation as much as possible to ensure an orderly election, which will then facilitate the formation of a new government and enable the country to proceed correctly on the democratic path.

In our view, strengthening genuine and disciplined democracy and building a union based on democracy and federal system is the will of the people. Efforts to restore peace are belated. During the term of the government, some organizations said they could not hold dialogues because the Tatmadaw assumed State responsibilities. I myself signed the NCA on behalf of the Tatmadaw. I will never break the promise I have made. If we could hold dialogue earlier, we would be able to implement the agreement earlier. We managed to reach agreements to amend laws within available time. Therefore, stakeholders are urged to exert efforts with a genuine view to serving the interests of the union, ethnic peoples  and  the  country. Stake-holders are urged not to endanger the country but to cooperate for benefits of the country. We are always ready to work for the benefits of the country.

Then, signatories of the NCA Kayin ethnic leader Saw Mutu Sae Poe, representative of international witnesses to the NCA Special Envoy for Asia Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China H.E. Mr. Deng Xijun, Indian Ambassador to Myanmar H.E. Shri Abhay Thakur, Acting Secretary-General of Asian Peace and Reconciliation Council (APRC) of Thailand former Thai Ambassador to Myanmar H.E. Mr. Plsanu Suvanajata and NCA signatory U Aung Min delivered con-gratulatory remarks commemorating the 10^th Anniversary of the NCA.

Then, the Senior General presented commemorative gifts to specially invited dignitaries from China, India and ASEAN region, Kayin ethnic leader Saw Mutu Sae Poe and NCA signatory U Aung Min.

Afterward, the Senior General posed for documentary photographs with attendees.

Then, ethnic artist staff from Myanmar Radio and Television of the Ministry of Information entertained the guests with “Peace Flower Garden” song depicting the national unity while ethnic cultural representatives performed traditional ethnic dances and ethnic cultural representative and artist staff from the MRTV entertained the guests with “Loyalty Spoken by Blood” song.

Afterward, the Senior General presented a flower basket honouring peace and cash award Ks- 100 million for entertainment troupes of the MRTV of the Ministry of Information, Fine Arts Department of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture and ethnic dance troupes and posed for documentary photographs with them.

After the ceremony, the Senior General hosted an honorary luncheon to attendees to the 10^th Anniversary of the NCA.