The newly formed Shan State Congress's Executive Committee will hold its first meeting on January 30 on the Thai-Burma border, following the decision in a three-day conference in December 2008, at Loi Tai Leng, the headquarters of Shan State Army-South (SSA-S), according to Maj Lao Hseng, the spokesperson for the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS).

There are three basic issues that will be discussed by the committee members of Shan State Congress (SSC): to draft the constitution of the Shan State Congress, to plan and take action for 2009, and to manage the SSC's activities.

The  seven-member committee would be headed by one member from each of the following groups, Lahu Democratic Union (LDU), PaO National Liberation Organization (PNLO), Tai Coordination Committee (TCC) and Wa National Organization (WNO) and three members of RCSS as decided at the conference from December 21-23.

"All committee members will be present in the meeting, but we are yet to find out who the representatives will be from other groups," Maj Lao Hseng said.

At present, only two groups have named their delegates. The three confirmed members representing RCSS are, Maj. Lao Hseng, Maj. Hsiao Harn and Sao Ood Kehsi. Hpo Thein Shin has been chosen to represent the LDU. The rest of the member groups have yet to make their choice public.

"Every person (living in Shan State) is invited to participate in, and support the Shan State Congress. Because it is for every person of Shan State," Maj Lao Hseng added.

This congress, according to the conference, would be one of the main pillars in creating unity among the diverse nationalities of Shan State. It would allow all groups, who are currently working separately towards similar goals to come together, according to Khun Thurein, General Secretary of PaO National Liberation Organization (PNLO).

"We would like to tell all Shan State nationalities that they should participate to make our Shan State Congress active and successful," he said.