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Southeast Asian foreign ministers will meet Myanmar’s top diplomat this weekend for the first in-person talks since the country’s 2021 military coup, as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) weighs how to re-engage with a member state that has remained largely isolated from the bloc for five years.
The informal meeting, hosted by ASEAN chair the Philippines in Bangkok on Sunday, comes as Myanmar’s new civilian-led government seeks to rebuild ties with regional neighbours despite ongoing conflict and growing resistance to ASEAN’s peace efforts.
The special gathering will mark the first face-to-face meeting between ASEAN foreign ministers and Myanmar’s foreign minister since the military seized power in 2021, triggering nationwide unrest and a prolonged civil war.
Following the coup, ASEAN barred Myanmar’s ruling generals from attending leaders’ summits after they failed to implement the bloc’s agreed peace roadmap aimed at ending violence and promoting dialogue.
The Philippines, which currently chairs the 11-member regional bloc, said Sunday’s meeting would be informal and intended to allow Myanmar to brief fellow ministers on recent political developments.
According to the Philippine foreign ministry, ministers are expected to discuss Myanmar’s internal conflict and explore practical ways for the country to address ASEAN’s longstanding concerns.
Key issues expected to be discussed include:
- Reducing violence across the country.
- Promoting dialogue among all parties to the conflict.
- Expanding humanitarian assistance.
- Determining how ASEAN should engage with Myanmar going forward.
The Philippines stressed that Myanmar remains an integral member of ASEAN despite years of diplomatic isolation.
Myanmar has remained engulfed in conflict since the military overthrew the elected government in February 2021.
The army’s crackdown on mass protests evolved into a nationwide civil war involving ethnic armed organisations and resistance forces.
An estimated 100,000 people have been killed and millions displaced during the conflict, while the military has faced widespread accusations of atrocities. Myanmar’s armed forces deny those allegations.