Myanmar’s much anticipated peace talks got off to a festive start yesterday in Naypyitaw, with songs, speeches, picture-taking, a little napping, and a grand state dinner.
Close to 2,000 representatives from government and ethnic armed groups are attending the five-day conference, aimed at bringing an end to decades-long civil strife.
Seven speakers, including state counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, army chief Min Aung Hlaing and UN head Ban Ki-Moon, took to the stage to give some opening remarks.
Coconuts Yangon photographer Aung Naing Soe captured some images of the pomp, speechifying and everything in between.
Performers opened the peace talks with a song and dance hoping for reconciliation. Photo: Aung Naing Soe / Coconuts Yangon
Delegates wore outfits belonging to their ethnic groups. Photo: Aung Naing Soe / Coconuts Yangon
Delegates listened to seven speeches throughout the day. Photo: Aung Naing Soe / Coconuts Yangon
There were a lot of group pictures. Photo: Aung Naing Soe / Coconuts Yangon
Suu Kyi enters the state dinner held on the the first day of the talks. Photo: Aung Naing Soe / Coconuts Yangon
Army chief Minh Aung Hlaing walks into the dinner. Photo: Aung Naing Soe / Coconuts Yangon
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