ASEAN to Conduct Comprehensive Review of Five-Point Consensus Implementation to End Myanmar Conflict

ASEAN foreign ministers have announced a comprehensive review of the Five-Point Consensus (5PC) designed to end the violence that has gripped Myanmar since the 2021 military coup. The decision was made during a meeting in Manila, where ministers reiterated their deep concern over the continuing conflict and humanitarian situation. The review comes as ASEAN maintains its ban on political representatives from Myanmar attending the bloc’s summits, a stance taken after the junta failed to make progress on the peace plan. The 5PC, agreed upon by ASEAN leaders shortly after the coup, calls for an immediate cessation of violence and constructive dialogue among all parties, to be mediated by an ASEAN special envoy. Despite the plan, the junta has continued to clash with pro-democracy forces and ethnic armed organisations, resulting in thousands of deaths. Following elections organised by the junta, a new military-backed government was launched in April, but ASEAN has not recognised the polls. Philippine Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Dominic Xavier Imperial stated that ASEAN hopes Myanmar will return to the negotiating table with appropriate representation, though he acknowledged member states are still seeking a viable path to achieve this. The ministers also discussed the escalating war between the United States and Iran, issuing a statement expressing serious concern that the renewed hostilities undermine mediation efforts and reduce prospects for a peaceful resolution. Other topics included the Thailand-Cambodia border conflict and the ongoing situation in the South China Sea, where China’s sweeping claims overlap with those of several ASEAN members.