ASEAN Foreign Ministers to Meet Myanmar Counterpart in Bangkok on Sunday

Foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will meet their Myanmar counterpart on Sunday in Bangkok to discuss the country's civil war and engagement with the bloc, the Philippines said on Friday. The Philippines, which holds the ASEAN chair, will lead the informal gathering, the first in-person session with Myanmar's top diplomat since the military seized power in 2021.

Myanmar's military staged the coup that year, after which an estimated 100,000 people have been killed and millions displaced in the ensuing civil war.

The military is accused of widespread atrocities, allegations it denies. Myanmar held an election earlier in 2026, after which Min Aung Hlaing, the former armed forces commander and junta leader, became president. Min Aung Hlaing made his first state visit to an ASEAN member country last week.

Myanmar's military-aligned parliament passed a motion on or before July 10 calling on the government to review and challenge ASEAN's five-point consensus peace plan. The Global New Light of Myanmar reported on July 10 that lawmakers from both houses supported the motion.

The Philippine foreign ministry stated the July 12 meeting would give Myanmar's foreign minister a chance to brief counterparts on the situation.

"They are expected to exchange views on ASEAN's engagement with Myanmar, as well as on possible concrete steps in which Myanmar may address concerns on the cessation of violence, constructive dialogue among concerned parties, and humanitarian assistance," the ministry said in a statement.