Myanmar’s military-appointed deputy foreign minister Ko Ko Kyaw met the United Nations’ top resident official in the country in Naypyidaw on Aug. 21, as Myanmar continues to face a severe humanitarian crisis driven by armed conflict and mass displacement.
Ko Ko Kyaw met Gwyn Lewis, the U.N. Resident Coordinator and acting Humanitarian Coordinator in Myanmar, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at 2 p.m., according to a statement from the military-controlled ministry.
The two sides exchanged views on existing cooperation between Myanmar authorities and U.N. agencies as well as prospects for future collaboration, the ministry said.
The statement, however, did not say whether the talks specifically addressed humanitarian access, the delivery of assistance to internally displaced people or restrictions affecting aid operations in conflict-hit areas.
Lewis oversees coordination among U.N. agencies operating in Myanmar, including development and humanitarian activities.
The meeting comes as Myanmar faces a deepening humanitarian emergency following years of armed conflict since the military seized power in February 2021.
Millions of people have been displaced across the country, while humanitarian organisations have repeatedly reported difficulties reaching communities in need because of fighting, insecurity, movement restrictions and administrative barriers.
The crisis has been particularly severe in parts of northwestern and southeastern Myanmar, as well as other areas where fighting has forced civilians from their homes.
Humanitarian agencies have warned that funding shortages are further limiting their ability to provide food, shelter, healthcare and other essential assistance to affected communities.
The United Nations and its humanitarian partners have sought hundreds of millions of dollars in funding for their 2026 response, but the appeal remains significantly underfunded.
Restrictions on humanitarian access have remained a major concern throughout Myanmar’s conflict, with U.N. agencies repeatedly calling for safe and sustained access to civilians affected by fighting.
Friday’s meeting therefore comes at a time when humanitarian access remains a critical issue in relations between Myanmar’s military-backed authorities and international aid organisations.
Neither side has publicly indicated, however, that specific agreements on humanitarian access or aid delivery were reached during the Aug. 21 talks.