A message sent by Acting President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Chairman of the State Security and Peace Commission, Senior General
Thadoe Maha Thray Sithu, Thadoe Thiri Thudhamma Min Aung Hlaing
to the ceremony to mark the 70th Anniversary of Kayin State Day
(7 November 2025)
Esteemed national brethren in the Kayin State,
I extend my heartfelt greetings with best wishes for physical and mental well-being with prosperity of all national brethren in the Kayin State and all Union-born ethnic people across the country be on the significant occasion of the 70th Anniversary of Kayin State Day today.
The Republic of the Union of Myanmar has been a sovereign country which has been preserving own culture, literature and languages for thousands of years. Historical evidences firmly showcase that all national brethren have been residing in various areas of the country in unison and co-existence.
Kayin ethnics have been living in the Kayin State together with other ethnic nationalities in harmony since yore. Our country lost its independence in 1885 and fell under the rule of colonialists. After losing the independence, all ethnic people residing in all parts of the Union drove out the colonialists and invadors through the spirit not to accept enslavement. After regaining independence, the country formed the divisions and states. In this regard, a plan was initiated to designate the areas where the majority of Kayin ethnic people live as the Kayin State.
After that, in 1952, under the Karen State Expansion and Designation Law No. 14, Kya-in-Seikkyi, Kawkareik, Hpa-an, Hlaingbwe, and Thandaunggyi townships, along with the Thanlwin District and its adjoining areas, were designated as the second stage of expansion, making a total of six townships. According to Section 62 of the Amendment to the Constitution 1951, Papun area of Thanlwin District was designated as the Kayin State. Afterwards, the establishment of the Kayin State was expansioned with six townships namely Kya-in-Seikkyi Township, Kawkareik Township, Hlaingbwe Township, Hpa-an Township and Thandaunggyi Township, along with the Thanlwin District and its adjoining areas, as the second stage expansion of the Kayin State in accord with the 1952 Kayin State Expansion and Designation Act No 14. On 1 March 1960, the township list of the Kayin State was added with the town of Myawady as a township, totalling seven townships. The day marking the birth and emergence of the Kayin State was designated as a pleasant period of the early winter season. Beginning on 7 November 1955, the Kayin State Day has been proudly and grandly celebrated every year, and today marks its 70th Anniversary.
Shan, Pa-O, Bamar, Mon and other ethnic nationalities co-exist peacefully and harmoniously Kayin people in the Kayin State. The Kayin State is located in the southeastern part of the country. It enjoys a moderate and pleasant climate and is endowed with abundant natural resources such as rivers, waterfalls, streams, lush green mountain ranges, and fertile forests. The natural beauty of Mount Zwegabin also stands as one of the prominent symbols of the Kayin State. In addition, the state possesses invaluable ancient heritages, including stupas and temples, beautiful natural caves, and cherished traditional customs and cultural practices—truly matters of pride. The lively and graceful Kayin Don Dance, performed to the beat of the traditional frog drums, is renowned not only within the country but also abroad, particularly in the region where Mount Zwegabin stands as a landmark.
After regaining independence, due to the legacy of the colonialists’ policy of divide and rule, misunderstandings arose among the national brethren, leading to armed conflicts that disrupted peace and stability within the Kayin State which is a situation that has persisted until today. In order to achieve and sustain internal peace and the internal peace outcomes, which are the true essence of the State, efforts have been made with great emphasis in accordance with the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA). As a result, ethnic armed organizations have signed the agreement and cooperated in implementing peace efforts together.
However, following the 2020 election irregularities, Tatmadaw assumed state responsibilities in accordance with the Constitution. Since then, some ethnic armed organizations, ignoring the truth, have intensified acts of violence including in the Kayin State. As a result, certain areas of the Kayin State that was once peaceful and stable, where local ethnic people had lived freely and securely, have now become unstable. The people are suffering from hardships and insecurity, which is deeply regrettable. Therefore, I would like to urge the relevant stakeholders to view the situation based on the truth and to prioritize efforts for the peace, stability, and prosperity of the state.
Despite challenges, the State will continue striving to ensure full peace, stability, and the rule of law, while further promoting national development. In addition, in line with the Roadmap of the National Defence and Security Council: to implement multi-party democratic system, with the participation of the people, to ensure the success of multi-party democratic general election process and successfully moving towards with the multi-party democratic system aspired by the entire people, efforts are being made to successfully hold the upcoming elections. The Union Election Commission issued Announcement 55/2025 on 18 August 2025 to hold the first phase of the multi-party democratic general election in 1-2 townships for relevant Hluttaw on 28 December 2025. Moreover, the announcement has been issued to hold the second phase of the general election in 100 townships on 11 January 2026 with a plan to release the dates of relevant election phases.
The Union Election Commission is preparing the electoral processes to hold the multiparty democratic general election successfully, in accordance with laws and rules, to ensure it is free, fair, transparent, and conducted it with integrity. These preparations aim to protect the rights of all eligible voters and to guarantee that no one’s rights are infringed. For the election to be successful, peace and stability of relevant regions are essential. So, I would like to urge all voter people to actively participate and cooperate in the election process that the multiparty democratic system, which they aspire to, can be successfully realized.
Esteemed national brethren in the Kayin State,
In promoting national economic development, efforts are being made to advance related sectors such as education, healthcare, the rule of law, and transportation infrastructures. In carrying out production activities, it is essential to focus on the development and success of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), which form the foundation of the economy. If these enterprises can integrate technology and produce higher value-added products, they will bring greater benefits and contribute significantly to national economic growth.
By fully supporting MSME activities based on existing agricultural and livestock production throughout the Kayin State, the socioeconomic livelihoods of ethnic communities will improve. Therefore, the governments of states and regions, including the Kayin State, are encouraged to give priority to and actively promote national economic development.
The government in its part is striving to ensure peace and stability of the State as well as develop the country while emphasizing the development of socioecomic life of citizens, good health of all people, and improvement of education standard to secure employments so as to enable all citizens to earn incomes and alleviate poverty. Only when individual ethnic people can enjoy fruits of socioeconomic life will the entire nation develop. As such, I would like to urge all regions and states as well as ministries to adopt visions to be implemented successfully in order to improve socioeconomic life of individuals.
As the State is combating instigations, incitement and dangers of violent destruction posed by terrorist groups which oppose efforts of the State and the government and do not wish to see peace and stability of the country, I would like to deeply urge all the ethnic people to participate in its efforts. The government believes that, together with the people, all ethnic groups can overcome any difficulties, challenges, or crises that may affect the nation and its citizens by working hand in hand, guided by a genuine Union spirit and the patriotism.
Esteemed national brethren in the Kayin State,
All national brethren residing in the Kayin State in harmony have to strive for emerhence of the Kayin State which restores better peace and more development. Moreover, I would like to deeply urge all national brethren to make concerted efforts to overcome varieties of difficulties and challenges they face in order to strengthen the genuine, disciplined multi-party democratic system that all the ethnic people aspire to and to build a Union based on democracy and a federal system.
I sent this message with best wishes for all ethnic people residing in the Kayin State to be able to enjoy the fruits of internal peace and stabilty as well as development undertakings from this 70th Anniversary occasion of the Kayin State to over the years. May they all shape the Kayin State be peaceful and developed in unity and harmony.
