The Special Adviser of the Secretary-General on Myanmar, Mr. Vijay Nambiar, visited Myanmar from 3rd to 6th of February at the invitation of the Minister in the President’s Office, U Soe Thane. During his visit he held discussions with the Ministers in the President Office, U Soe Thane and U Aung Min, Minister for Immigration and Population, U Khin Yi, and other government officials as well as with members of civil society in Myanmar and of the diplomatic corps in Yangon. The main subject of his discussions was the situation in Kachin and developments linked with that situation.

On February 5, the Special Adviser accompanied Ministers U Soe Thane and U Khin Yi to Myitkyina where he visited four camps of internally displaced persons and addressed a meeting of civil society organizations and public figures in Kachin state. He also had discussions relating to the outcome of the latest meeting between the Union Level Peace Making Committee and the KIO leaders that was held the previous day in Ruili, China.

During his meetings the Special Adviser underlined the support of the United Nations to the efforts being made by the Government and the KIO to come to an agreed understanding on the overall framework for the de-escalation of tensions and conflict, and for the emergence of a monitoring system for such de-escalation.

Meanwhile, he welcomed the Government's assurances of the resumption of access to the UN and international humanitarian agencies for urgent supply of humanitarian assistance to vulnerable populations in Kachin. He hoped that the authorities would help reach such supplies in increased quantities to those in dire need at the earliest. And that funding and delivery of humanitarian assistance are being made urgently available to address the humanitarian needs of the IDPs in all parts of Kachin State.

The UN is strongly committed to continuing to extend all necessary help and support to the peoples of Myanmar through the Office of the Special Adviser and the UN country team.