ASEAN to Hold Landmark Myanmar Talks as Bloc Seeks Progress on Civil War

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will hold an informal meeting with Myanmar’s foreign minister on Sunday to discuss the country’s ongoing civil war and its future engagement with the regional bloc, marking the first face-to-face ministerial meeting since Myanmar’s 2021 military coup.

The meeting, hosted in Bangkok and led by ASEAN chair the Philippines, represents a significant step in efforts to rebuild dialogue after Myanmar’s ruling military leaders were barred from ASEAN summits over their failure to implement the bloc’s peace roadmap.

In a statement on Friday, the Philippine foreign ministry said Myanmar remains an important member of ASEAN and that the meeting will provide its foreign minister an opportunity to update regional counterparts on developments inside the country.

Foreign ministers are expected to discuss ASEAN’s engagement with Myanmar, possible measures to reduce violence, promote constructive dialogue among all parties, and improve humanitarian assistance for communities affected by the conflict.

Myanmar has been engulfed in conflict since the military seized power in 2021, triggering widespread protests that evolved into a civil war. The conflict has reportedly killed around 100,000 people and displaced millions. The military has denied accusations of widespread human rights abuses.

The country is now governed by a nominally civilian administration following elections held earlier this year, with former junta chief Min Aung Hlaing serving as president. He has recently sought to improve relations with ASEAN, including making his first official visit to an ASEAN member state last week.

However, Myanmar’s efforts to normalize ties with the bloc face fresh obstacles. Lawmakers in the military-aligned parliament have backed a motion urging the government to challenge ASEAN’s five-point consensus, arguing that the peace plan interferes in Myanmar’s internal affairs and contradicts ASEAN’s principle of non-interference.

According to the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar, lawmakers from both parliamentary chambers supported reviewing ASEAN’s position, saying the bloc should reassess its approach following Myanmar’s recent political developments and the establishment of its new elected government.

Sunday’s discussions could shape ASEAN’s next steps as it balances regional diplomacy with continued calls for peace and stability in Myanmar.