FOREIGN ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) reaffirmed their commitment to advancing lasting peace in Myanmar as part of efforts to uphold regional peace, stability, and Asean Centrality.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro said Asean remains committed to engaging Myanmar and advancing the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus as the framework for restoring peace and stability in the country.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., as chairman of Asean in 2026, designated Lazaro as Asean Special Envoy to Myanmar. She was tasked to facilitate a peaceful solution to the Myanmar political crisis.
“Through these meetings, I am optimistic about our commitment to assist Myanmar in achieving a lasting solution that is Myanmar-owned and Myanmar-led and one that ultimately will benefit the Myanmar peoples and the region as a whole,” Lazaro said.
Adopted by Asean in 2021, the Five-Point Consensus calls for the immediate cessation of violence, constructive dialogue among all parties, provision of humanitarian assistance, appointment of a special envoy, and visits by the special envoy to Myanmar to facilitate dialogue among all stakeholders.
In a press briefing following the Asean Foreign Ministers’ Retreat and the Extended Informal Consultation (EIC), Lazaro said the discussions built on the outcomes of the informal consultations held in Bangkok, Thailand, last week.
She said that during the EIC meeting on Tuesday the foreign ministers continued the discussions on Asean’s engagement with Myanmar and the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus in the country.
Among the proposals discussed was the possibility of appointing a long-term Asean Special Envoy on Myanmar to provide greater continuity in the regional bloc’s engagement, replacing the current arrangement under which the special envoy serves only a one-year term.
“I had focused discussions with my fellow ministers on proposals that were raised in Bangkok. Some of these included an approach for Asean as to how it can assess progress in Myanmar, as well as the prospect of a long-term Special Envoy of Asean on Myanmar,” Lazaro said.
“The foreign ministers agreed that for these proposals to come to fruition, such would require the continuous deliberation of our senior officials as to how this may be integrated in the outcome documents,” she added. Bernadette Tamayo
