Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP) is officially informed the government that they will not attend the upcoming fourth meeting of 21st Century Panglong Conference, said Zaw Htay, Director General of the State Counsellor Office during an interview with media after a meeting between government and NCA-S EAO held at National Restoration and Peace Center (NRPC) in Nay Pyi Taw on August 12.

“They sent the official letter that they cannot attend the Panglong Conference as they have some issues. And they had plans after COVID-19 period,” said the Director General.

Ethnic armed groups from northern alliance haven’t informed yet whether they will attend the Panglong Conference or not, he said.

“We heard that they are holding a meeting in Panghsang and they haven’t informed yet whether they will attend the conference or not,” he said.

Zaw Htay said on August 5 that the government will invite seven ethnic armed groups, which haven’t signed the NCA, except the Arakan Army (AA) to the Panglong Conference and only two leaders from each ethnic armed group, who are invited, can attend the conference.