Peace Talk 2025: First Day discussions commenced in Nay Pyi Taw

With the theme “Through the Dialogues to a Peaceful New Nation,” the Peace Talk 2025 was held at the at the National Solidarity and Peacemaking Center in Nay Pyi Taw in the morning on March 24. The objective of the peace talk was to encourage participation from prominent individuals and intellectuals and intelligentsia from various sectors in the peace process, highlighting that only non-violent approaches will ensure the long-term sustainability of peace efforts.

The aim was to increase public awareness about the peace process, swiftly reduce internal conflicts, and discover short-term and long-term measures to improve the political and economic development of the country. The peace talks were attended by 118 representatives, including members of National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee (NSPNC), senior military officials, representatives from the Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC), political party representatives, representatives from ethnic armed groups that have signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA), those actively involved in the peace process, experts, media, and officials from various ministries, universities, and associations.

During the opening ceremony, SAC member, Union Minister for Border Affairs Lt-Gen Yar Pyae delivered opening remarks.

After the words of greeting of the UPWC Vice Chairman and Union Minister U Thein Zaw (Retired), NSPNC Secretary Lt-Gen Min Naing, discussed the objectives and agenda of the Peace Talk, importance of peace for the country's stability and development, conflict reduction and ceasefire efforts.

After greetings of the speakers, the commemorative photo session was continued. On the first day, discussions focused on political and security matters, with Lt-Gen General Min Naing leading a session on conflict reduction and ceasefire efforts.

In the second session, Major General Win Vol Shine (Peace) discussed the role of economic development in the peace process and its importance for national development, followed by a presentation from Deputy Minister (Peace) Daw Le Le Thin on economic growth and its significance for peace efforts. For the enabling of discussion in depth by the participants, the discussions were divided into two main sectors: "Politics and Security Sector" and "Sectors of Economics and Development of the Country."

At the first day of the peace talk, NSPNC secretary Lt-Gen Min Naung presided over the panel discussion of “Politics and Security Sector” with the leading discussion of Lt-Gen Khin Zaw Oo (Retired) under the topic of Conflict Reduction and Emergence of a process for the Ceasefire.”

At the discussion on the “Sectors of Economy and Development of the Country”, NSPNC member Lt-Gen Win Bo Shein (Retired) presided over with the leading discussion of Deputy Minister Daw Lei Lei Thein (Retired) under the topic of Crucial role of the Economic Development in the effort for the Peace and Development”. Participants also had the opportunity to engage in further discussions and ask questions, with speakers providing clarifications and expanding on key points.

The talks are expected to foster greater collaboration and trust among those involved in the peace process, helping to guide the development of peace and development strategies that align with the political situation of Myanmar post 2025. The Peace Talk will take place from March 24 to 26, 2025, it’s learnt.