Myanmar President Thein Sein was honored with the prestigious ‘Pursuit of Peace Award’ by the International Crisis Group (ICG) in New York on Monday, a prize he shared this year with former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
Myanmar President’s Office Minister Aung Min stepped up to the podium to receive the award on his behalf at a ceremony attended by dignitaries and world leaders.
Thomas R. Pickering, the ICG chairman, said, “Myanmar has initiated a remarkable and unprecedented set of reforms since President Thein Sein’s government took over in March 2011, including freeing hundreds of political prisoners, liberalizing the press, and promoting dialogue with the main opposition party.
“The country has seen very significant progress: for the first time in almost 50 years, all but one of the ethnic armed groups have signed preliminary ceasefires with the government, and it is hoped that an agreement will also soon be reached with the Kachin.
“At a time when so much of the world seems to be headed in the wrong direction, Myanmar and Brazil stand out as clear examples of presidents working for a better path for their people,” he said.
Previous recipients of the award include former US presidents Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush, Nobel Peace Prize laureates Martti Ahtisaari and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, and financier-philanthropist George Soros.
The Myanmar delegation led by Aung Min travelled to the USA via Europe where they began their trip in Switzerland on April 9. On April 19, they travelled to the UK and also visited Northern Ireland, a country which has endured its own share of civil unrest and sectarian violence over the years.
The Myanmar delegation includes Immigration and Population Minister Khin Yi, Environmental Conservation and Forestry Minister Win Tun, and Deputy Attorney General Tun Tun Oo.
