Shan State Chief Minister Dr Lin Htut says achieving peace has been one of the biggest hurdles for the National League for Democracy (NLD) since being elected in 2015, in particular “ending the suffering of IDPs (internally displaced persons).”

The chief minister spoke to the media on August 17 during a press conference in Taunggyi, the Shan State capital, to explain what the state government accomplished during the previous year.

Under the Union Peace Conference – 21st Panglong Conference the government tried to achieve national reconciliation and restore peace, he explained. “As you all know, if the Union, the states and regions have peace, we can rapidly improve the developmental sector.” Yet conflict has hampered the government’s efforts to improve health and education, as well as repair the economy and grow the tourism industry, Lin Htut said.

Following a landslide historic victory during the 2015 election, the NLD officially took over the reins on April 1, 2016.

During the press conference, government officials also discussed land disputes, cattle trafficking, media development, People’s Militia Forces (PMF), SME loans and projects in Shan State.

Similar press conferences were held by politicians in Kachin State, Kayah State and Magwe Region to discuss what they accomplished during the previous year.