Myanmar UN Envoy Skips General Assembly Address

Permanent Representative of Myanmar to the United Nations U Kyaw Moe Tun will not address the General Assembly this week. His decision is part of a long-standing arrangement that allows him to maintain his diplomatic post despite repeated efforts by Myanmar's military-backed government to have him removed.

Appointed by the elected government in 2020, Kyaw Moe Tun has remained in his role since the 2021 military coup. The United Nations continues to recognize the ousted government as the official head of state, effectively blocking the junta's attempts to install its own representative.

The military junta has petitioned UN Secretary-General António Guterres for the envoy's removal, alleging that Kyaw Moe Tun is using government funds without authorization. In response, Kyaw Moe Tun reports that he stopped receiving a salary last year and is currently managing the mission with minimal staff and dwindling funds.