Dr. Min Zaw Oo is an expert in Myanmar affairs and has been involved in the ongoing peace process in Myanmar since its beginning. As Executive Director of Myamar Institute for Peace and Security (MIPS), Min leads the organization’s implementation of policy research and analysis in support of the peace dialogue and security transition.
Prior to starting MIPS, Min was the Executive Director of the Technical Secretariat Centre (TSC) of the Joint Ceasefire Monitoring Committee (JMC) that implements the military provisions of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA). Min set up the first joint-ceasefire mechanism to implement the NCA. He is also an adviser to the Peace Commission, the government body responsible for engaging the various armed ethnic groups in the peace process.
During the Thein Sein administration, Min served as the Director of Ceasefire Negotiation and Implementation at the Myanmar Peace Centre. He provided technical support to the negotiations that achieved the historic signing of the NCA. Min was granted a presidential award for his contributions to Myanmar’s peace process. Min also contributed to policy initiatives to restore Myanmar’s relationship with the United States and European countries.
Prior to returning to Myanmar, Min was the Director of Research at Democracy International’s (DI) election-strengthening project in Afghanistan. Min also directed a research division with 500 local and international staff at a subsidiary of US-based IDS International to support the US military’s Human Terrain System in Afghanistan. Prior to his deployment in Afghanistan, Min was an independent consultant to the Genocide Early Warning Project which monitors high‐risk countries around the world. He also worked for the Political Instability Task Force that was established under the direction of US Vice President Al Gore in 1994. Min has contributed his analysis to “Counter Networks and Narratives Weekly”, a publication circulated among counter‐terrorism officials under the direction of the US Special Operations Command.
Min was exiled for 21 years abroad as a political activist until his return to Myanmar in 2012. Min received a Ph.D. in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from George Mason University, an M.A. in Security Studies from Georgetown University, and a M.S. in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from George Mason University.
IN THE MEDIA
Vote cancellations trigger outrage among Myanmar minority voters - Al Jazeera
Ms Suu Kyi's "disappointing" voice What happens to the Myanmar general election - Asahi Shimbun
Fading icon? Clash of views over Aung San Suu Kyi’s record — and future - Channel News Asia
From Guerrilla Fighter to Myanmar Peace Negotiator - New York Times
Fight for Peace - Myanmar - NHK Asia Insight Broadcast
This podcast delves into issues of decentralization and democracy in Myanmar, a country with the world's longest running ethnic conflicts and a military coup in 2021 while suffering from the impact of Covid-19. Listen to Dr Min Zaw Oo and other experts discuss how decentralization could lead the way to democracy and peace. Click to listen to the podcast.
