We have taken note of the virtual discussion on 13 January 2022 between the UN Special Envoy of the Secretary-General on Myanmar and the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, the current ASEAN Chair. During the call, they covered some critical points.

UNSE intends to intensify her trust-building efforts with all stakeholders in Myanmar. This is important that she better understands the urgent needs and concerns of the people in Myanmar.

The UNSE proposed multiple constructive and innovative mechanisms for the urgent delivery and administration of humanitarian aid, a ‘humanitarian plus umbrella’ and a ‘humanitarian pause.’ Each is vital in allowing aid to reach all those in need.

We welcome the SE’s suggestion to form an UN-ASEAN Women, Peace and Security platform to hear and amplify their voices, and special attention can be directed to their welfare. As the UNSE underlined during the call, the importance of women cannot be understated during the crisis facing our country. Myanmar’s women have been at the forefront of the struggle against the junta. For their valiant efforts, they have received rape, death, and torture at the hands of Min Aung Hlaing.

The UNSE reiterated these points in a separate meeting with the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand on 17 January 2022, including the necessity of engaging all stakeholders and building trust with the people of Myanmar who have already suffered tremendously. Trust can only be built when concrete evidence of improvements on the ground. Furthermore, she pointed out the deterioration of the situation at the Thai-Myanmar border and the need to protect people where there is an intensification of fighting, including aerial attacks that harm and displace civilians.

We agree with the assessment of the humanitarian crisis facing the people of Myanmar and her observations that only engagement of all stakeholders and considering their needs and hopes will lead towards a path of stability and peace.

In the coming days, weeks, and months, we will multiply our efforts to work with the UNSE to deliver tangible results for the people; we will support her efforts to push for inclusive engagement with all stakeholders in Myanmar.

While we appreciate the UNSE for initiating these conversations, we need more than that. We want to remind everyone, the UNSE, ASEAN leaders, the UN Security Council, and the international community as a whole; these proposals can save lives, they can change the world for 59 million people. They can discourage future despots like Min Aung Hlaing from attempting their own coups. They can save the world. These must become more than proposals. These must be actions. My door is always open, and the NUG looks forward to working with all external and internal stakeholders for a better Myanmar.

Sincerely,

H.E. Dr. Sasa
Union Minister of Ministry of International Cooperation
Spoke Person of Nation Unity Government
Former Special Envoy to United Nations