ASEAN Steps Up Myanmar Diplomacy as Special Envoy Heads to Naypyidaw Ahead of Summit

BANGKOK, THAILAND — ASEAN is stepping up diplomatic efforts over the Myanmar crisis, with its special envoy Maria Theresa Lazaro scheduled to visit Naypyidaw on Oct 28 and 29, ahead of key regional meetings in Manila.

Lazaro, who is also the Philippines Foreign Secretary, will travel to Myanmar as ASEAN continues efforts to address the prolonged political and humanitarian crisis that has affected the country since the 2021 military coup.

Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow confirmed the visit in Bangkok, saying details of Lazaro’s itinerary were still being finalised.

He expressed hope that the mission would produce progress that could be reported when ASEAN foreign ministers gather in Manila ahead of the upcoming ASEAN Summit.

Humanitarian Assistance in Focus

Lazaro had previously indicated that she planned to visit Myanmar as part of efforts to expand access to humanitarian assistance for communities affected by the continuing conflict.

The visit comes as ASEAN seeks progress on its Five-Point Consensus, the regional bloc’s framework for addressing the Myanmar crisis. The consensus calls for an immediate end to violence, constructive dialogue among all parties, mediation through an ASEAN special envoy, humanitarian assistance through the

ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre), and access for the special envoy to meet parties involved in the crisis.

Myanmar has faced restrictions on high-level participation in ASEAN meetings following what the bloc has viewed as insufficient progress in implementing the peace framework.

Lazaro’s latest mission is therefore expected to provide ASEAN members with an opportunity to assess developments ahead of the next round of regional discussions.

Suu Kyi Meeting Remains Uncertain

Attention is also focused on whether Lazaro will be allowed to meet detained former Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi. There was no immediate indication that such a meeting would take place.

Suu Kyi, now 81, has remained in detention since she was removed from power during the 2021 military takeover. Earlier this year, the Philippines, as ASEAN chair, requested brief access for its special envoy to meet Suu Kyi, but the request was rejected.

In August, Suu Kyi met a representative of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) — the first publicly reported meeting between her and a foreign official since her removal from power.

Following that development, the Philippines renewed its call for her complete and unconditional release and again sought access to the detained leader.

Her son, Kim Aris, was also allowed to speak with her by telephone recently for the first time in more than five years.

ASEAN Seeks Progress Before Manila Summit

Lazaro’s visit comes at an important time for ASEAN as the bloc prepares for upcoming ministerial and leaders’ meetings in Manila. The Myanmar crisis has remained one of ASEAN’s most difficult regional challenges since the 2021 military takeover.

While diplomatic engagement has continued, ASEAN has maintained pressure for progress on its Five-Point Consensus and greater humanitarian access. The outcome of Lazaro’s two-day mission could therefore become an important part of discussions when ASEAN foreign ministers and leaders meet in Manila.

For ASEAN, the immediate priorities remain expanding humanitarian assistance, encouraging dialogue and seeking tangible progress towards resolving a crisis that has continued for more than five years.