Upholding Union spirit: A Message on the 78th Anniversary of Union Day

Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Senior General Thadoe Maha Thray Sithu Thadoe Thiri Thudhamma Min Aung Hlaing sent a message to the ceremony to mark the 78th Anniversary of Union Day 2025.

In his message, first the SAC Chairman Prime Minister extends his heartfelt greetings and best wishes to all national brethren who live together in unity and harmony across the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and all to be blessed with prosperity, happiness, and physical and mental well-being on this auspicious occasion of the 78th Anniversary of Union Day, which falls on 12 February 2025.

He explained the brief history of the Union Day and emphasized that the unique characteristic of the nation is that more than 130 ethnic groups live together in unity throughout the entire Union. If people from different regions and ethnic backgrounds treat one another with loving-kindness, compassion, empathetic joy, and equanimity – the four cardinal virtues – they will be able to build a peaceful and prosperous society. Similarly, if all the citizen live together in unity, based on a deep sense of patriotism – protecting and preserving their nation and ethnicity, maintaining national prestige, and safeguarding cultural and national identity – then the Union will remain strong and stable for a long time. It is the inherent duty of all Union-born ethnic nationals to safeguard and preserve the territorial integrity of the Union, which has been inherited from ancient Myanmar kings and ancestors.

This includes safeguarding the non-disintegration of the Union, non-disintegration of national solidarity, and perpetuation of sovereignty. Therefore, all Union citizens are urged to uphold the “Union spirit, nationalistic spirit, and genuine patriotism to ensure the lasting stability and development of the Union. The State Administration Council is engaged in discussions with political parties and ethnic armed organizations to achieve internal peace and durable peace.

While there may be differences in opinions among individuals when applying the multiparty democratic system, demanding one’s desires by means of armed terror act is an incorrect approach that will not lead to beneficial results.

Therefore, misunderstandings and conflicts between the ethnic groups should only be resolved through dialogue. Consequently, the door to peace is continuously open and efforts are welcome to solve political problems through political means.

The local ethnic people also are requested to encourage ethnic armed groups to seek solutions to their desires through political means by engaging in detailed negotiations. Thus, ethnic people are urged “to actively work together towards achieving durable peace, emphasizing the importance of engaging in dialogue and negotiations to cease armed conflicts.

In conclusion of his message, he urges all relevant stakeholders and ethnic people to work together to ensure the equitable development and progress of all states and regions, as well as to improve the health, education, and employment opportunities for ethnic people and  all ethnic groups residing across the Republic of the Union of Myanmar to embrace the concept of successfully implementing the national objectives of the 78th Anniversary of Union Day as a national duty to ensure the Union’s durability and development.