July 17, 2026 | Burma Independent Voice
The Philippines, serving as the 2026 ASEAN Chair, is set to convene another meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers to deliberate on the “next steps” regarding the Myanmar political crisis, according to a report by the Philippine News Agency (PNA).
An extended informal consultation regarding the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus (5PC) is scheduled to take place during the high-level ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Manila next week. This upcoming session follows last Sunday’s meeting in Thailand, which marked the first time since 2021 that ASEAN foreign ministers engaged in person with the junta’s foreign minister.
Dax Imperial, the foreign affairs spokesperson for ASEAN matters, stated that Myanmar—which will be represented by a permanent secretary—will not be permitted to participate in the informal talks in Manila.
“This upcoming meeting is highly critical, particularly following the sessions held recently in Thailand. The outcomes from the discussions in Thailand will inform the foreign ministers’ deliberations next week. Following these engagements, we anticipate establishing what the subsequent steps and the way forward will be,” Imperial remarked.
Thailand, an ASEAN member state, previously indicated it would employ a policy of “calibrated re-engagement” to gradually facilitate Myanmar’s reintegration into the ASEAN community while pushing for progress on the 5PC.
Since 2021, ASEAN has restricted Myanmar’s participation in ministerial-level meetings, foreign ministers’ meetings, and summits to non-political representatives only.
During the recent meeting in Thailand, ASEAN foreign ministers reaffirmed that the Five-Point Consensus (5PC) remains the primary point of reference for resolving the Myanmar crisis.
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