Nai Htaw Mon, who served as the MNC chairman for the first day, urged his people to not only embrace Mon literature and culture, but also understand their political needs.

“Mon nationals need to understand the rights of politics. We also need to avoid the impacts on our national business benefits,” said the NMSP chairperson.

The three-day conference that ran from Sept. 28-30 was the first time in Mon State capital of Moulmein. The conference saw over 400 people fill the Mon State Hall attracting many political groups and participants.

Besides the NMSP, these also included: Mon Democracy Party (MDP), All Mon Region Democracy Party (AMDP), prominent Mon Buddhist monks, President Office’s Minister U Aung Min, Union Peace Working Committee (UPWC), Mon State Minister U Ohn Myint and other government staff, and both Mon state civil society groups and overseas organizations.

Aung Min urged every respective party to be part the nationwide ceasefire agreement this coming October when it’s expected to be inked. “I am so glad and proud that a Mon National Conference is held during my office time,” said the Mon State Minister U Ohn Myint during a conference speech. All previous conferences were held in NMSP controlled territories.

According to a statement, both the MNC and NMSP talked about achieving lasting peace in the union. The MDP gave a speech urging Mon national unity. The AMDP discussed state development.

Dr. Min Kyi Win, who served as chairperson for the organizing committee, said that a Mon National Convention planned for December will be based on outcomes achieved during the MNC that ends today.

The four main political objectives for the MNC were to prepare for the upcoming Mon National Convention, encourage Mon national unity, accomplish lasting peace in the union, and for Mon nationals to be included in state development projects.