Bangkok/Jakarta - Philippines as the ASEAN chair this year, on Sunday 12 July 2026, will lead Southeast Asia's foreign ministers gathering with Myanmar's military-backed foreign minister in Bangkok, as it was tasked by the regional group's leaders when met in Philippines in May 2026, in order to assess what's happening in Myanmar after five years of military coup d'tat.
Philippine's Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro said that this moment would be the first in-person ASEAN meeting with Myanmar representation since 2021, when the military coup overthrew and detained elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi, which led to the exclusion of Myanmar's Junta government from its regional organisation.
Theresa Lazaro emphasized that the meeting on 12 July would be informal to give a chance for Myanmar diplomats to brief about the situation in the country, considering Myanmar should be an integral part of ASEAN.
“They are expected to exchange views on ASEAN’s engagement with Myanmar, as well as on possible concrete steps in which Myanmar may address concerns on the cessation of violence, constructive dialogue among concerned parties, and humanitarian assistance,” Philippines Foreign Ministry said in the statement.
The Junta Government has ruled Myanmar for five of the past six decades, triggering chaos, with a crackdown on protests leading to internal conflicts resulting in severe casualties, including 100,000 people killed and millions displaced.
Afterwards ASEAN under Brunei Darussalam chairmanship had established Five Point Consensus which demands to end violence immediately, and led to Myanmar limitation for sending only non-political representatives to the bloc’s gatherings.
Recently, the national election in early 2026 made the Junta Leader Min Aung Hlaing officially became Myanmar President, which was followed by the national parliament dominantly held by the Union Solidarity and Development Party, which is believed as pro-military side.***
