Khun Maung Thaung, the vice-president of the Pa-O National Organisation and chairman of a parliamentary committee on ethnic affairs, expresses confidence in the NLD's peacemaking efforts.

Several participants questioned whether equal rights would prevail for those ethnic minorities that do not have their own state or administrative region.

The eight principles are: sovereignty; equality; self-determination; establishment of a genuine federal union; protection of ethnic rights, democratic rights and basic human rights; gender equality; a multi-party democratic system; and secularism.

A Karenni leader stressed that delegates would aim to reach mutual agreements on behalf of all ethnic armed groups that are working towards a federal system.

Some 40,000 displaced Kachins have now spent five years in camps in remote, KIA-controlled mountains, where humanitarian aid deliveries have dwindled.

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, commander-in-chief of the armed forces, says non-ceasefire groups are welcome to join future peace talks, as armed groups push for more inclusive negotiations.