Statement regarding Myanmar Ceasefire Agreement

Statement regarding Myanmar Ceasefire Agreement
Yohei Sasakawa, Chairman, The Nippon Foundation

I welcome the ceasefire agreement reached on the 15th of October, 2015 between the Government of Myanmar and the eight ethnic armed organizations.

I would like to commend both the Government of Myanmar and the ethnic armed organizations for having continued to pursue dialogue and deepen mutual trust to date, in the process of peacebuilding undertaken in Myanmar.

The signing of this ceasefire agreement is an important step toward achieving peace and stability in Myanmar. Today, many are still forced to live under harsh and insecure conditions. I would like to call on all parties to make efforts to ensure that the peace process in Myanmar will move forward.

For decades, The Nippon Foundation has supported efforts to improve the welfare of the people of Myanmar. In recent years, in addition to activities in such fields as education, agriculture, medicine, and support for people with disabilities, we have been extending humanitarian support to the victims of civil strife. In line with our commitment to lasting peace in Myanmar, The Nippon Foundation will continue to provide support to better the lives of those in conflict-affected communities.