ASEAN’s special envoy on Myanmar will continue engaging with all stakeholders in the conflict-hit country, including armed resistance groups, as Southeast Asian foreign ministers prepare to meet in Manila next week to discuss the worsening crisis and broader regional security challenges.
The Philippines, which holds the rotating ASEAN chairmanship this year, said the bloc remains committed to an inclusive approach to Myanmar despite years of political turmoil following the military coup in 2021.
ASEAN broadens dialogue on Myanmar
Philippine Foreign Affairs spokesperson Dominic Xavier Imperial said ASEAN Special Envoy and Philippine Foreign Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro recently held discussions with Myanmar’s military-backed government, representatives of the National Unity Government (NUG), ethnic armed organizations, and other stakeholders.
He described the meetings with armed groups as “candid” and “productive,” stressing that ASEAN would continue reaching out to all parties involved in the conflict.
Stay ahead of the geopolitical week.
MD Briefing delivers expert analysis across five global fronts — the Indo-Pacific, energy, geoeconomics, European security, and the Middle East — every Monday morning. Free.
“We are not limiting these engagements to certain groups, but it’s actually an open invitation to be able to engage with everyone,” Imperial said.
Lazaro is expected to brief ASEAN foreign ministers on the outcome of those discussions during next week’s ministerial meeting in Manila.
First high level engagement since the coup
The latest diplomatic efforts follow informal talks held in Bangkok last weekend between ASEAN foreign ministers and Myanmar’s foreign minister. The meeting marked the first face-to-face engagement at that level since ASEAN barred Myanmar’s military leaders from attending its high-level meetings after the February 2021 coup.
Myanmar has remained one of ASEAN’s most difficult diplomatic challenges as fighting between the military and resistance groups has intensified, displacing millions and triggering a humanitarian crisis.
Major powers to attend Manila meeting
The ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting is expected to attract several top global diplomats, reflecting the growing geopolitical importance of Southeast Asia.
Expected participants include:
- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio
- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi
- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov
- Foreign ministers from Japan, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom
Beyond Myanmar, ministers are expected to discuss regional security, economic stability, and maritime disputes.
South China Sea code of conduct in focus
Another major agenda item will be negotiations between ASEAN and China on a long-awaited Code of Conduct for the South China Sea.
The discussions come shortly after the tenth anniversary of the 2016 international arbitration ruling that rejected the legal basis of China’s sweeping maritime claims. Beijing continues to reject the ruling.
Imperial said negotiations remain on track despite regional tensions.
“We see the commitment from all parties to really come up with a substantive and effective COC,” he said, expressing confidence that meaningful progress could still be achieved this year.
Why it matters
The Manila meeting comes at a time of heightened geopolitical uncertainty across Asia. The ongoing conflict in Myanmar, disputes in the South China Sea, and the wider economic fallout from the Iran conflict are testing ASEAN’s ability to maintain regional stability while balancing relations among the United States, China, and other major powers.
What to watch
ASEAN ministers are expected to assess whether broader engagement with all Myanmar stakeholders can revive stalled peace efforts while seeking momentum on a legally binding South China Sea Code of Conduct. Any progress on either issue would strengthen ASEAN’s credibility as the region faces growing strategic competition and security challenges.
With information from Reuters.
