During his meeting with H.E. U Wanna Maung Lwin, the Union Minister of Foreign Affairs of Myanmar, the Secretary-General welcomed the continued overall progress on the reforms. He highlighted that the conduct of fair, transparent and inclusive elections in November would help consolidate the reform agenda. In this connection, the Secretary-General expressed concern about the disenfranchisement of previously eligible minority groups, mostly Rohingya, and underlined the urgent need to address the substantive issues affecting the community, including the absence of citizenship and rights associated with that status. 

On national reconciliation, the Secretary-General expressed his appreciation for President Thein Sein’s leadership on advancing the peace process between the Government and Ethnic Armed Groups.  He encouraged continued progress towards a nationwide and a meaningful and constructive political dialogue.

The Secretary-General expressed his concern about the serious plight of the refugees in the Andaman Sea and expressed the need to prevent such a situation in Southeast Asia.

Concerning development issues, the Secretary-General mentioned the importance of all countries taking full ownership of the Sustainable Development Goals.