Younger generations bear a vital responsibility to learn from history and help build a brighter future.
PRESIDENT of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Agga Maha Thray Sithu Agga Maha Thiri Thudhamma U Min Aung Hlaing sent a message to the ceremony to mark the 71st Anniversary of Kayin State Day, which falls on 7 November 2026. The full text of the translated message is as follow: –
Esteemed national brethren in Kayin State,
First and foremost, I would like to extend my best wishes for good physical and mental health, well-being and every blessing to all our ethnic brethren residing throughout the Union and in Kayin State, ethnic leaders, and all those actively involved in various sectors, including social affairs, education, culture and regional development.
Today marks the 71st anniversary of Kayin State Day, a special and significant occasion that reminds us of and inspires pride in the historical traditions, national identity, traditional cultural heritage and unity of the Kayin people. On this auspicious occasion, I would like to extend my heartfelt, sincere wishes in my congratulatory message to all ethnic people residing in the state, including the Kayin people, for their safety, peace and prosperity, and for success in all sectors, including education, health, economy and socioeconomic development.
Kayin State is located in the southeastern part of Myanmar and is endowed with abundant natural beauty, including rivers, creeks, lakes, waterfalls, lush green forests and magnificent mountain ranges. In particular, Mount Zwegabin stands as a prominent natural landmark of Kayin State, while ancient pagodas, natural caves and invaluable cultural heritage sites further enhance the state’s prestige and splendour. In addition, the traditional arts and cultural characteristics of the Kayin people, including the Kayin Don dance, the sounds of the frog drum and traditional customs and practices, are precious cultural heritages that are recognized and appreciated not only within the country but also internationally.
Kayin State is also a region of distinctive historical significance. In 1951, under the Constitution (Amendment) Act, the Hpa-an area of Thanlwin District was designated as Kayin State. Subsequently, on 25 September 1952, under the Kayin State Extension Act, additional areas were incorporated, and the state was constituted with six townships. On 1 March 1960, Myawady was designated as a township, bringing the total number of townships in the state to seven.
Kayin State Day has been commemorated annually since 7 November 1955, and this year marks its 71st anniversary. This historic occasion not only commemorates the establishment of the State but also provides an important opportunity to value and preserve the history, traditional customs, literature, language and cultural heritage of the Kayin people, pass them on to future generations, and reflect of our responsibilities for the future development and progress of the State.
Since ancient times, various ethnic nationalities residing in Kayin State, including the Kayin people, have lived together on the same land and shared the same waters, building their communities through mutual affection, friendship, solidarity and assistance. It is the common responsibility of everyone to preserve and promote these long-standing traditions of peaceful coexistence and to build a community based on mutual understanding, trust and respect.
At present, prolonged armed conflicts and acts of violence in some areas of Kayin State have had adverse impacts on the daily lives, education, healthcare and economic activities of local people. Ensuring stability and peace in Kayin State is a fundamental prerequisite for making effective and beneficial use of the State’s abundant natural resources and promising development potential, improving the socioeconomic conditions of local people, and achieving sustainable development.
Peace is the foundation of regional development, while mutual trust and understanding are also key forces in building lasting peace. Therefore, all relevant stakeholders need to work together with sincerity and goodwill to resolve differences through mutual respect, tolerance, understanding and dialogue, reduce and eliminate acts of violence and conflicts, and rebuild trust within communities. With a view to ensuring the peace and security of ethnic people residing in Kayin State and securing a better future for them, I earnestly urge everyone to actively participate in and make concerted efforts towards the peace process.
Education plays a vital role in the socioeconomic development of Kayin State. Young people must strive to acquire proficiency in modern fields of knowledge while valuing and preserving their national identity and cultural heritage. As a basic requirement, students should continue their education until they complete KG+9, in line with the education policy set by the State. Furthermore, efforts should be made to encourage and promote the development of qualified human resources in various fields, including science and technology, medicine, engineering, economics, agriculture, education, the arts and other disciplines. In particular, digital technology and modern technological fields, including artificial intelligence (AI), will become increasingly important in the future of education, employment and the economy. Therefore, young people need to engage in continuous learning and enhance their ability to apply their knowledge and skills in practice.
Agriculture, livestock breeding and rural development play important roles in the socioeconomic foundation of Kayin State. Farming and livestock breeding are not only the main livelihoods of local people but also fundamental pillars for ensuring regional food security and promoting economic growth. Therefore, it is necessary to place emphasis on combining traditional farming methods with modern technologies, developing irrigation and drainage systems, improving crop quality and productivity, adding value to agricultural products, and expanding market linkages. The development of these activities will help increase the incomes of rural residents and create more employment opportunities.
In addition, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are important driving forces for regional economic development. Traditional handicrafts, traditional food production, agricultural products, livestock breeding and service industries in Kayin State can be further developed by combining local people’s knowledge, skills and capabilities. In particular, improving the quality of locally produced goods associated with Kayin traditional culture and linking them with modern markets will contribute to increasing local people’s incomes and strengthening the regional economy.
As Kayin State is a border region, emphasis should be placed on ensuring the smooth flow of border trade routes, promoting the growth of legal trade activities, and improving market access for locally produced goods. To achieve these objectives, it is important to maintain regional stability and peace, improve transport and communication networks, and create a favourable environment for business activities. Furthermore, all relevant stakeholders need to work together to ensure that trade activities are conducted in accordance with the law, prevent and combat the illegal trading of goods, and promote the lawful development of local businesses.
Regional development cannot be achieved through the economic sector alone; it also requires simultaneous improvements in public health, education and people’s quality of life. A healthy and capable human resource base is a fundamental driving force behind the development of the nation and its regions, while quality education is a key resource in shaping the success of future generations. Therefore, in addition to ensuring that local people have access to healthcare and educational services, due attention must also be given to developing transportation and communication networks, electricity supply, clean drinking water and basic infrastructure in line with the needs of the region. Maintaining regional stability and peace is essential to achieving these objectives.
Conservation of the natural environment and resources is also important for the long-term development of Kayin State. By sustainably utilizing and conserving forests, rivers, water resources and natural ecosystems, a healthy environment can be passed on to future generations. Additionally, tourism activities based on natural beauty and cultural heritage should be systematically developed in a manner that does not adversely affect the natural environment or the interests of local communities.
Although the world today is undergoing rapid changes and advances in technology and communications, valuing and preserving one’s national culture, literature, languages and traditional customs remain important. The literature and languages of the Kayin ethnic people, traditional arts, traditional attire, festivals and social customs are invaluable cultural heritages that reflect their national identity. Preserving these heritages means safeguarding one’s original identity while continuing to progress and adapt in keeping with the times.
Therefore, families, communities and educational institutions need to work together to ensure that younger generations gain a broad understanding of the history and significance of Kayin State Day and develop a keen interest in studying and preserving traditional cultural heritages. Younger generations have a key responsibility to build a better future by learning from history.
Esteemed national brethren in Kayin State,
To ensure a brighter and better future for Kayin State, everyone must make collective efforts to ensure that children have access to safe education, young people can fulfil their potential and realize their dreams, equal opportunities are created for women, local people’s agricultural, livestock breeding and production activities are developed, innovation among business entrepreneurs is encouraged and promoted, and cultural heritage assets are preserved and kept alive.
The strength of a state lies not only in its natural resources and economic potential but also in the unity, knowledge, skills, spirit and capacity for cooperation of the people living in that state. Therefore, it is necessary to further strengthen friendship, mutual respect and trust among the various ethnic nationalities for the future development of Kayin State. Only by promoting peace, education, healthcare, socioeconomic development and the preservation of cultural heritage in a balanced manner can the state’s long-term development be successfully achieved.
The 71st Anniversary of Kayin State Day, which falls today, is an occasion to remember and take pride in the history of Kayin State and the cultural heritage of the Kayin ethnic people. It is also an opportunity for all of us to review our respective responsibilities and roles in shaping the future of the State. I wish for the literature, languages, traditional arts, customs and traditions of the Kayin ethnic people to remain alive and flourish through successive generations, and for friendship, solidarity and mutual assistance among ethnic brothers and sisters to grow ever stronger.
Thus, I sincerely extend my best wishes to all ethnic people residing in Kayin State for their safety and security and for them to enjoy peaceful and prosperous lives. May they make effective and beneficial use of the State’s natural resources and development potential, and may they work together to build a prosperous future founded on peace and unity. With the conviction that “Let us value our history, preserve our culture, promote education and build unity to create a peaceful and prosperous future together,” I urge everyone to join hands and work in unison to build a better future for Kayin State and the Union as a whole. In this spirit, I hereby extend this congratulatory message on the occasion of the 71st Anniversary of Kayin State Day.
Agga Maha Thray Sithu Agga Maha Thiri Thudhamma
U Min Aung Hlaing
President, Republic of the Union of Myanmar
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