Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, the Philippines’ foreign affairs secretary and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) envoy for Myanmar, is due in Naypyidaw Oct. 28-29, Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said, Channel NewsAsia reported.
Sihasak said the schedule was still being arranged. He also hoped Lazaro would have progress to report at an ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting in Manila before a leaders’ summit, the outlet reported.
Thai PBS World, citing unnamed diplomatic sources, reported that humanitarian access is expected to be a focus of the visit. The sources said officials and experts from the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre) would join the delegation. The report also described a planned stop in Taunggyi for talks with local relief officials and a meeting with Myanmar Foreign Minister Tin Maung Swe. No public official itinerary confirming those plans was identified.
ASEAN leaders adopted the Five-Point Consensus on April 24, 2021. The consensus calls for an end to the fighting, talks among the sides, envoy-led mediation and humanitarian support through the AHA Centre. It also assigns the envoy and delegation a visit to Myanmar to engage all sides.
In January 2026, ASEAN welcomed Lazaro’s appointment as the chair’s special envoy on Myanmar for that year and reaffirmed the consensus as its main reference for addressing the crisis. Sihasak identified the Manila foreign ministers’ meeting as the next opportunity for Lazaro to report progress, according to Channel NewsAsia.
