ASEAN leaders agreed in Manila on Sunday to consider gradually restoring Myanmar’s full political representation, but only if the country makes sustained and concrete progress on the bloc’s peace plan. The decision does not immediately return Myanmar’s military leaders to regional summits or foreign ministers’ meetings.
A joint statement called for “calibrated engagement” with Myanmar through a phased approach that takes account of developments on the ground. It said progress on ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus could open a path to full political representation. The Straits Times also reported that the proposal is conditional, rather than an immediate change to Myanmar’s status at high-level meetings.
Myanmar has remained an ASEAN member, but its political leaders have been excluded from the bloc’s summits and foreign ministers’ meetings since October 2021, after the military seized power and ousted the elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi.
Peace plan remains central to ASEAN’s approach
The Five-Point Consensus was agreed in 2021, but has made little progress. Fighting continues between the military and pro-democracy and ethnic armed groups, according to DW.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. urged ASEAN to find practical ways to advance the plan and support an inclusive process led by Myanmar. “What more can we do for Myanmar?” he asked at a leaders’ retreat in Manila.
The decision leaves the restrictions in place while ASEAN assesses whether Myanmar makes meaningful progress. The statement offers a possible route back to full representation, but sets no timetable for that change.
Reid Bentley