Skip to main content
Submitted by admin on 24 January 2020

THE Central Committee for Convening the 73rd Union Day in 2020 held their second coordination meeting at the meeting hall of the Office of the President in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday, where Central Committee Chairman Vice President U Myint Swe delivered a speech.
In his speech, the Vice President said this is the second meeting held for the successful organizing of 2020 73rd Anniversary of Union Day. He said the Central Committee was formed with 14 members by the Office of the President, and with himself as Chairman, on 21 October 2019 to successfully observe the day in accordance with five national objectives with full political essence.
He said that a 19-member management committee led by the Nay Pyi Taw Council Chairman and 14 sub-committees to implement the directives of the central committee were also formed.
He continued that the first meeting was held on 13 December 2019 and produced 27 decisions and are being implemented by the management committee and sub-committees. He said they must also consider the 15 decisions made at the meeting to analyze the organization of the 72nd Anniversary of Union Day held on 1 April, 2019. He said this would allow the political essence to be stronger each year.
The Vice President said our country fell into the hands of foreign colonialists for a hundred years and independence was achieved after many years of sacrifice. He said independence was achieved after Bogyoke Aung San and ethnic national leaders held the Panglong Conference of 12 February, 1947, and signed the Panglong Agreement in unity.
He said independence was achieved due to ethnic solidarity, which is based on union spirit. He said union spirit was given a similar definition with true nationalistic spirit, which can be defined as nurturing a firm union spirit in all areas of the nation, and union spirit is the only true nationalistic spirit all ethnic nationals must maintain forever.
The Vice President said the Ministry of Information defines union spirit in the modern sense as ‘The collective spirit that unites all ethnic national brothers and sisters through hard times and challenges’. In addition, it can also be defined as ‘The belief that regardless of where you live in the nation, we are all members of one family that shares the same soil and water, and overcomes hardships together’. The Union Day that depicts the unity of ethnic national brothers and sisters through the signing of the Panglong Agreement on 12 February has been held every year and this is the 73rd year.
The Vice President said one of the main reasons for celebrating Union Day is to remind successive generations that independence was achieved because of the unity of all ethnic people, and that it is as important as life and supports national reconciliation and peace.
He added that the 73rd Union Day event will be held in two parts with the first half including the flag hoisting ceremony and reading messages in the morning and the second half involving a dinner reception and entertainment in the evening. He urged the committees to learn from past experiences and improve the Union Day programmes with each passing year.
He gave instructions for proper arrangements regarding accommodation, transportation and hospitality for the ethnic cultural troupes, ethnic affairs ministers, leaders of ethnic armed organizations that have signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement, and the chairpersons and leaders of political parties who will be attending the commemoration.
The Vice President instructed the state-owned media to properly disseminate the five national objectives of the 73rd Union Day to the public, and to highlight the Union government’s efforts for ethnic solidarity, national peace and reconciliation.
He said subcommittees need to have Plan A as well as Plan B for all matters related to holding of the 73rd Union Day. In order to successfully hold the Union Day ceremony with full political essence all are urged to work together to make this year the best based on experiences of past years.
Next, Central Committee Secretary and Director-General of the Office of the President, U Khin Maung Win, explained the central committee’s implementation of the decisions made at the first meeting.
Next, Dr Myo Aung explained the preparations made for the upcoming Union Day ceremony and other subcommittee members explained the progress of their respective assigned sectors. The Vice President responded to all discussions and suggestions and concluded the meeting with a closing speech.
The meeting was attended by Union Ministers Dr Pe Myint, Thura U Aung Ko, U Thant Sin Maung, Dr Myint Htwe, U Ohn Maung and Nai Thet Lwin, Nay Pyi Taw Council Chairman Dr Myo Aung, Deputy Ministers U Kyaw Myo, U Khin Maung Win, U Win Maw Tun, Dr Mya Lay Sein and U Hla Maw Oo, Nay Pyi Taw Council member Col Min Naing and U Aung Myin Tun, permanent secretaries, directors-general, deputy police chief, Tatmadaw officials and department officials.
MNA
(Translated by Zaw Htet Oo)
Photo: MNA
Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar