July 22, 2024
The upcoming ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Laos will prioritize discussions on the Myanmar crisis, according to a statement released by Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on July 18.
The statement highlighted that the meeting will focus on implementing the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus concerning Myanmar. This consensus aims to address the ongoing political turmoil and human rights violations in the country following the military coup in 2021.
Scheduled to be held in Vientiane, Laos, from July 24 to 28, the meeting’s agenda includes critical deliberations on Myanmar. However, it remains unclear who will represent Myanmar at this summit.
Over 300 civil society organizations have submitted an open letter requesting that representatives from Myanmar’s National Unity Government (NUG) be allowed to participate in the ASEAN meetings. This request underscores the increasing pressure on ASEAN to engage with the NUG, which opposes the military junta.
Typically, Myanmar’s non-political representatives, such as the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, attend ASEAN meetings due to the political sensitivities involved. This practice may continue unless a significant policy shift occurs in response to the ongoing crisis and international pressure.
The ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Laos will be closely watched as regional and international stakeholders seek a robust response to the deteriorating situation in Myanmar.
