Burma's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi says she will swear an oath required to enter parliament.

Speaking to reporters in Rangoon, Aung San Suu Kyi said she and her National League for Democracy colleagues will take the oath as soon as possible.

She and 42 others were supposed to enter parliament last week after winning seats at historic by-elections on April 1.

But they refused to take an oath requiring them to safeguard the constitution and asked instead to be able to use the word "respect."

Now she says the party has decided to take the oath to fulfil the desire of those who voted them in.

"We will go as soon as possible to attend the parliament," she said.

"Some people might ask, given that we didn't accept the wording of 'safeguard' in the beginning, why we accept now. The reason we accept it, firstly is the desire of the people. Our voters voted for us because they want to see us in parliament."

Due to the stoush, opposition members were not in parliament today to witness a speech by UN chief Ban Ki Moon who called on the international community to continue easing sanctions on Burma.

Mr Ban has become the first foreigner to address Burma's parliament during his visit to the country, which he says comes at a critical moment in its transition to democracy.

Mr Ban has told parliament that success requires partnership, and the international community stands ready to help.

"The path of change is still fragile and uncertain. But it is indeed too narrow to turn back," he said.

"Let us walk together to meet all of these challenges by summoning the political will to make lasting change."

ABC/wires