On May 24th, Myanmar is set to begin the next round of 21st Century Panglong peace talks. If there is to be meaningful progress towards a lasting end to ethnic armed conflict, it is crucial that attention turns to agreeing a new approach to the management of the country’s precious natural riches. For decades, the resources for which the country is famed have helped to incentivise and fuel fighting which has destroyed countless lives. Upcoming talks provide an opportunity to put Myanmar’s natural resources on a new footing, and contribute to the peaceful, equitable and prosperous future the people deserve.

We, civil society groups and friends of Myanmar, call on the parties to the peace talks to agree a new approach to natural resources, based on the following principles: Participation...Sustainability...Access...Safeguards...Transparency...Strong institutions...Benefit-sharing...Monitoring...