(VOVworld) - Myanmar’s Union Peace Conference, also called the 21^st Century Panglong Conference, opened on Wednesday in Nay Pyi Taw to discuss national political dialogue frameworks which aim to end the 7-decade conflict between the government and ethnic groups.

Myanmar's State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi addresses the Union Peace Conference. (Photo: AFP/VNA)

1,800 participants are drawn from the government, the army, ethnic groups, political parties, foreign diplomatic corps, peace organizations, and international organizations.

In his opening address, UN Chief Ban Ki-moon hailed the peace progress in Myanmar and its government’s effort to end the decades-long bloodshed.  Ban promised the UN’s support for Myanmar’s peace process. He called on its political forces and ethnic groups to be patient, determined, and united to achieve peace.