Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, H.E. U Ko Ko Kyaw received Ambassador of Bangladesh to Myanmar, H.E. Dr. Md. Monwar Hossain, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nay Pyi Taw on 12 September 2025.

 

During the meeting, they discussed and exchanged views on the existing bilateral relations and on the matters relating to cooperation between two countries in the international arena.

 

Also present at the meeting were the senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Myanmar Delegation led by U Hau Khan Sum, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar attended the ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meeting, ASEAN Plus Three (APT) Preparatory Senior Officials’ Meeting, East Asia Summit (EAS) Preparatory Senior Officials’ Meeting, 15th ASEAN Maritime Forum (AMF) and 13th Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum in Port Dickson, Malaysia from 9th to 11th September 2025.

Senior officials from the ASEAN Member States and EAS participating countries, officials from the ASEAN Secretariat and Timor-Leste as an observer were present at the afore-mentioned Meetings.

 

At the ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meeting, the Senior Officials deliberated preparations for the 47th ASEAN Summit and related Summits; application and implementation of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) and matters pertaining to the enhancing ASEAN’s external relations.

 

During the APT and EAS Preparatory Senior Officials’ Meetings, the Senior Officials discussed preparations for the 28th ASEAN Plus Three Summit and the 20th East Asia Summit, respectively. The Meetings also exchanged views on regional and international developments.

 

At the 15th ASEAN Maritime Forum (AMF) and 13th Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum, the Senior Officials reviewed progress of the cooperation in regional maritime trade and regional efforts in preserving and conserving marine environmental sustainability including the preparations for the 16th AMF and 14th EAMF.

On the sidelines of the ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meeting and related Meetings, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar met with H.E. Dato’ Sri Amran Mohamed Zin, Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and ASEAN SOM Leader of Malaysia and H.E. Milena Rangel, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs and Timor-Leste SOM Leader, separately. During the meetings, they cordially discussed matters related to further enhancing and strengthening of the bilateral relations.

The Human Rights Council organized an Enhanced Interactive Dialogue (EID) on the report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and on the report of the so-called Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM) in the absence of the representatives of the country concerned on 8 September 2025 at the ongoing 60th session of the Council.

 

Myanmar has never recognized the so-called IIMM since its inception due to its principled position against country-specific mandates. In addition, its illogical modalities, terms of reference, and tenure were created to reach the desired conclusion of the sponsors instead of addressing the issue objectively and impartially. Amidst the liquidity crisis of the United Nations, 15.6 million USD was approved for the so-called IIMM, with an open-ended term. In addition, it received 3.9 million USD from extrabudgetary funds.

 

In the absence of an oversight body to the so-called mechanism, with its highly politicized nature, there is no means to guarantee its independence. Changing priorities and focuses of the so-called mechanism clearly indicate the tactic of framing easily available information, now targeting prison officials as a result of its manipulative mandate to put pressure on Myanmar, rather than seeking the truth.

 

Myanmar observes the report and presentation of the High Commissioner with great disappointment, for covering up the essential fact that state security forces have been taking countermeasures against the killings, attacks, and destruction of public infrastructure of armed groups, including PDF terrorists. There is no justification for the violence of armed groups that exert control over the local population by seizing public services, extortion, controlling access to natural resources, and trade routes. Even though concrete evidence of such acts has been increasing, the reports only included watered-down atrocities of armed groups.

 

From 1 February 2021 to 14 August 2025, the terrorist groups have claimed the lives of 9,616 innocent civilians, including 357 children, 1,253 administrative staff, 120 teachers, and 24 healthcare workers. As of August 2025, the terrorist groups have sabotaged 1,306 roads and bridges, 78 hospitals and dispensaries, and 837 schools and educational buildings.

 

The Tatmadaw has been taking necessary countermeasures under the Rules of Engagement since it has the primary responsibility to protect the lives and properties of the people. Such measures have led to restoring peace and stability in remote areas of Myanmar, for instance, recently in Nawnghkio in northern Shan State, where the return of residents highlights faith they have entrusted in state security forces.

 

As Myanmar charts its course towards multiparty democracy and in the spirit of national reconciliation, the Government of Myanmar has extended an invitation to those involved in various armed groups, including the PDF, to return to the legal fold. As of 12 August 2025, a total of 1,104 members from EAOs and PDFs returned to the legal fold following the defeat of armed groups, which forcibly recruited many youths. Up to the present day, a total of 27 unilateral ceasefire declarations have been issued by the Tatmadaw since 2018 to achieve lasting peace and further promote the peace process.

 

While the Government has provided information requested by the Office, it is dismaying to see much of such information was omitted and fabricated news was incorporated instead. For instance, paragraph 9 of the report admits the negligence to verify the media reports, yet puts unverified figures. It goes contrary to the code of conduct of the mandate holders to duly cross-check the facts to the best extent possible. The report further alleges an airstrike struck a school in Ohhteinkwin village in Dabayin Township, Sagaing Region, on 12 May 2025. In Myanmar, the month of May falls within the summer break, and the reported presence of teachers and students in the school is unreasonable. The pictures of the incident show that all four walls of the school are still intact, the cupboard, wall posters, and even vases were not affected. The relevant security personnel stated that no airstrike had taken place. Findings indicate that the explosion was not caused by the airstrike, while a video file of terrorists making homemade explosives at the said school was available online before the incident.

 

Countries near and far expressed solidarity with the people of Myanmar when the central part of the country was struck by a devastating earthquake on 28 March 2025, and extended valuable support through sending rescue and medical teams and relief items. The Government not only mobilizes its own resources in responding to the earthquake, but also facilitates and smoothens the assistance, including travel of assisting nations and organizations. While such efforts have been well-received, it is inappropriate that only fictitious narratives from the armed opposition groups were presented.

 

When it comes to the Rakhine issue, the root cause of the forced mass displacement of people from Rakhine State was the coordinated terrorist attacks launched by ARSA, aka Aqamul Mujahideen, in 2016 and 2017, targeting innocent people of different faiths. The current repatriation efforts have faced delays due to AA’s armed attacks in Rakhine State.

 

Myanmar stands ready to receive all verified returnees if and when security conditions allow. Meanwhile, Myanmar continues verifying the forms of more than eight hundred thousand individuals provided by Bangladesh in six batches. As of 31 July 2025, the Myanmar immigration authorities have checked the data of 297,687 individuals and found that 211,058 displaced persons were former residents of Rakhine State. The detailed findings of them have already been communicated to Bangladesh for necessary action. In Sittwe and Yangon, the Government has been providing humanitarian assistance and support to the Bengalis from the affected areas.

Myanmar reiterates its position that it does not recognize the invented term “Rohingya,” which has never existed in legal and historical records of the country, and Myanmar will not tolerate blatant demands to infringe sovereignty and territorial integrity.

 

The Human Rights Council this year has organized a total of six interactive dialogues against Myanmar, and four IDs were combined as two EIDs. While people around the world have increasingly questioned the effectiveness of multilateralism, incapable of addressing pressing issues challenging global peace and security, the conclusions and recommendations made by the mandate holders further derail the attention of countries where it should be. Myanmar, therefore, strongly rejects unfounded allegations and intrusive recommendations of the High Commissioner, the so-called IIMM, and certain delegations, and it does not see the need to continue such irrelevant mandates.

 

The Myanmar Mission’s official website provides an excellent source of detailed observations on the High Commissioner’s report.

 

Permanent Mission of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar to the United Nations Office and other International Organizations

GENEVA

U Than Swe, Union Minister for Foreign Affairs received Mr. Filippo Grandi, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nay Pyi Taw at 10:30 hrs on 9 September 2025.

 

During the meeting, they exchanged views on the matters related to the ongoing activities of UNHCR in Myanmar as well as ways and means for further cooperation between the Government of Myanmar and UNHCR.

 

Also present at the meeting were Ms. Hai Kyung Jun, Director, Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific, Ms. Noriko Takagi, UNHCR Representative in Myanmar and senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

H.E. U Ko Ko Kyaw, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs received Mrs. Wang Le, Country Director of Save the Children International (SCI) in Myanmar at 1400 hrs on 2 September 2025 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nay Pyi Taw.

 

During the meeting, they exchanged views on matters related to the existing and potential future cooperation between the Government of Myanmar and Save the Children International.

 

Also present at the meeting were senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to Myanmar, Mr. Norimasa Shimomura, presented his Credentials to U Than Swe, Union Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nay Pyi Taw at 13:00 hrs on 29 August 2025.

 

During the presentation of Credentials, they exchanged views on matters relating to the existing cooperation between Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and UNDP, and future programme of UNDP in Myanmar.

 

Also present at the meeting were the senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

U Than Swe, Union Minister for Foreign Affairs, received Mr. David William McLachlan-Karr, Regional Director for Asia-Pacific of the UN Development Coordination Office in Bangkok, at 1130 hrs on 28 August 2025, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nay Pyi Taw.

 

During the meeting, they exchanged views on continued cooperation on the development and humanitarian matters between the Government of Myanmar and the United Nations.

 

Also present at the meeting were the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator ad interim, and senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

H.E. U Than Swe, Union Minister for Foreign Affairs received Mr. Arnaud de Baecque, Resident Representative of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), at 10:30 hrs on 28 August 2025, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nay Pyi Taw.

 

During the meeting, they exchanged views on matters related to ICRC’s activities in Myanmar.

 

Also present at the meeting were the senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.