Who is he?
U Aung Lynn most recently served as the permanent secretary of Myanmar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and, since 2011, as director-general of the ministry’s ASEAN Affairs Department. Aung Lynn began his career in government in 1982, joining the Ministry of Irrigation as an assistant engineering geologist. He was appointed third secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Yangon in 1983, and later served as consul at the Myanmar Consulate in Hong Kong. Aung Lynn also held postings at the Embassy of Myanmar in Pretoria, South Africa, and at Myanmar’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations. He holds a bachelor’s degree in geology from the University of Yangon and a master’s degree in public policy from the National University of Singapore.
Embassy of Myanmar in Washington, D.C. Source: NCinDC’s flickr photostream, used under a creative commons license.
Why is he in the news?
President U Htin Kyaw on July 18 appointed Aung Lynn to be the new ambassador of Myanmar to the United States. He will replace Ambassador U Kyaw Myo Htut, who has held the post since December 2013.
What can we expect from him?
As director-general of the ASEAN Affairs Department in Myanmar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Aung Lynn has focused his efforts in recent years on promoting U.S.-ASEAN cooperation. During his tenure as ambassador, he is expected to continue to voice support for strengthened U.S.-ASEAN ties and the United States’ overall engagement in Southeast Asia.
The United States has declared its support for Myanmar’s new civilian government and the ongoing democratic transition following last November’s elections. Aung Lynn will look to leverage this commitment and build momentum to strengthen U.S.-Myanmar relations, especially as the United States prepares for a new administration next January. He will likely encourage increased U.S. investment in Myanmar, the further lifting of sanctions, and the development of bilateral strategic initiatives to support Myanmar’s economic growth.
