Engaging Myanmar at the U.N. Session

“Myanmar also will be sending a high-level delegation to UNGA next week -- its first since the country’s elections in November 2010 and the transition to a quasi-civilian government,” says Suzanne DiMaggio, Asia Society’s Vice President for Global Policy Programs (above). “To date, Myanmar’s transition has not yet brought about any concrete reforms. Yet, the political shift has led to some change, including Aung San Suu Kyi’s release from house arrest and her ability to travel outside of Rangoon and present outwardly political speeches. Moreover, her meetings with government officials, including President Thein Sein, signal that the country’s new government is reaching out to its opponents. Other interesting developments also are also under way. U.N. special envoy on human rights in Myanmar, Tomas Ojea Quintana, was allowed to visit the country in August 2011 after repeatedly being refused a visa following his last visit in February 2010. Additionally, the government has invited the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to engage in dialogue on currency reforms, called on armed ethnic groups to hold peace talks, and stepped back from issuing its daily doses of criticism of foreign media in state-run newspapers. Taken together, these moves should be encouraged, especially by key external stakeholders, including ASEAN, the U.N., China, India and the United States.”

Suzanne, who is based in New York, is Director of the Asia Society’s Task Force on U.S. Policy toward Burma/Myanmar. Read the Task Force Report and related materials here: AsiaSociety.org/BurmaMyanmarReport To arrange an interview, contact the Asia Society communications department at 212-327-9271 or [email protected]