President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced a growing consensus among Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states to seek innovative strategies to address the ongoing crisis in Myanmar.
Acknowledging a collective frustration over the current impasse, President Marcos emphasized the urgent need to revitalize diplomatic efforts and steer Myanmar toward eventual normalization.
President Marcos noted a tacit agreement among ASEAN leaders that the current peace process has become “moribund” and requires new, proactive approaches to break the deadlock.
The President stressed that ASEAN views Myanmar not merely as a trade partner, but as an integral member of the ASEAN family, describing the ongoing isolation and crisis as a collective tragedy.
While pushing for progress, the bloc remains firmly committed to its core principles, including respect for human rights, the rule of law, and the strict adherence to the Five-Point Consensus.
President Marcos clarified that any new diplomatic pathways will continue to align with the Five-Point Consensus established in 2021. This framework serves as ASEAN’s primary guide to resolving the crisis through:
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Immediate cessation of violence in the country.
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Utmost restraint by all parties involved.
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Constructive dialogue among all stakeholders to seek a peaceful solution.
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Provision of humanitarian assistance through the AHA Centre.
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A special envoy to facilitate mediation and visit Myanmar. “We all agree that we would like to see more progress. We all agree that we all should try very hard to find ways to shift what has become a moribund process right now… We need to find other ways to move the process forward,” said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
Despite the formal adoption of the Five-Point Consensus in 2021, implementation has faced severe roadblocks due to non-compliance by Myanmar’s military junta. During the summit’s closed-door Retreat Session, ASEAN leaders openly shared their frustrations regarding this lack of progress, sparking the current drive to explore fresh, alternative diplomatic avenues while maintaining the bloc’s foundational values.
