In the only meeting they had, in August 2022, the United Nations secretary-general’s special envoy on Myanmar, Noeleen Heyzer, pushed Min Aung Hlaing, leader of Myanmar’s military-installed government, for an end to the violence that has racked the country since the military executed a coup in 2021. It would turn out to be a controversial encounter.
At the time, civil society groups called for Heyzer’s mandate to be revoked, worried that the meeting legitimized the junta’s position in the country. In a statement describing the encounter, she said that wasn’t the case. The junta then criticized Heyzer’s account, saying it “created misunderstandings about Myanmar.” As a result, the envoy pledged not to return unless it was for a more “meaningful” interaction.
During her 20-month tenure, Heyzer’s aim was to smoothen the transition back to democracy in Myanmar, see political prisoners released, and get more aid delivered to those in need. But in March, Heyzer — a Singaporean national and former executive secretary of the U.N. Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific — shared with the U.N. General Assembly that “there [was] no prospect for a negotiated settlement.” The regime, she said, was focused on blocking access to food, money, and information as a means to punish civilians collectively. On May 31, a U.N. spokesperson announced that Heyzer would step down at the end of her contract. Two weeks later, she was gone.
About the author
Rebecca L. Root
Rebecca L. Root is a freelance reporter for Devex based in Bangkok. Previously senior associate & reporter, she produced news stories, video, and podcasts as well as partnership content. She has a background in finance, travel, and global development journalism and has written for a variety of publications while living and working in Bangkok, New York, London, and Barcelona.
