Ambassador U Kyaw Moe Tun, Myanmar’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, confirmed that Myanmar will maintain its voting rights in the UN General Assembly through the end of 2026.

This status was secured after the National Unity Government (NUG) assumed responsibility for settling the country’s membership dues, totalling approximately US$1,000,000 since the 2021 military coup.

In an interview with PVTV, the Ambassador explained that minimum required payments have been made on three separate occasions to prevent Myanmar from falling into arrears. Under UN regulations, a member state loses its voting power if it fails to pay contributions for two consecutive years.

The initial payment of over US$300,000 was drawn from existing funds held by the Permanent Mission, while subsequent payments for 2024 and 2025 were funded by public contributions through the NUG.

Ambassador U Kyaw Moe Tun emphasized that maintaining these rights is a strategic necessity for the revolutionary movement. By keeping its seat and vote, the Mission effectively blocks the military junta from gaining official UN recognition, allows for the direct rebuttal of junta misinformation, and ensures the voice of the Myanmar people is heard on the global stage.

Despite the successful payments, the Permanent Mission in New York continues to operate under strict austerity measures, keeping expenditures to a minimum while focusing on strengthening international representation during the ongoing revolutionary period.