The four-day event draws the participation of 17 out of 21 ethnic armed groups in the country along with domestic and international observers.

Ban La, Chairman of the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC), said that the meeting plays an important role for the armed groups, as it aims to discuss measures to tackle several political issues.

The meeting is also to prepare for the 21st Century Panglong Ethnic Conference planned for late August in Myanmar’s capital of Nay Pyi Taw.

Previously, the Preparatory Committee for Holding the 21st Century Panglong Ethnic Conference decided to allow the non-signatories to the Nationwide Cease fire Accord (NCA) to join the conference to ensure their access to political dialogue.

The Myanmar government and eight ethnic armed groups signed the NCA on October 15, 2015.