ASEAN newsrooms have joined together to provide an initial assessment of the progress and challenges faced by ASEAN in 2026 under the chairmanship of the Philippines. This series features reporting from Rappler, Mizzima, Kiripost, and Malaysiakini on key issues facing the regional body.
ASEAN has struggled for the last five years to respond to the crisis in Myanmar following the military coup on February 1, 2021. Ninety-nine civil society organizations (CSOs) protested the January 6 visit of Philippine Foreign Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro, the newly-appointed Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair on Myanmar for 2026, to Naypyidaw, where she met with junta leader Min Aung Hlaing.
ASEAN’s new chair faces multiple challenges, including the standoff in the South China Sea and tensions between Thailand and Cambodia. However, the Myanmar crisis and adherence to the 5-Point Consensus (5PC) remain particularly demanding issues.
Military-proxy party wins election
In December and January, the military-proxy Union and Solidarity Development Party (USDP) won the majority of seats in an election with a voter turnout lower than the 54 percent claimed by the junta. The election excluded jailed National League for Democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and her party.
The ASEAN foreign ministers’ statement on January 29, following a meeting in Cebu, emphasized the largely discredited 5PC rather than directly rejecting the Myanmar junta election. A representative from Myanmar was invited to attend the Cebu meeting.
The Philippines’ foreign minister reported that while ASEAN members did not endorse the junta-run elections, “a good number” of the 11 nations agreed that “these elections might be something positive.”
The ASEAN statement read, “We had candid discussions on the evolving developments in Myanmar and reaffirmed our commitment to advancing the implementation of the 5PC…We noted the conclusion of the three phases of the general elections.”
ASEAN envoy action
Khin Ohmar of NGO Progressive Voice initially worried about Philippine Foreign Secretary Lazaro’s visit to Myanmar on January 6, fearing the junta would use it for propaganda. However, the ASEAN envoy has since engaged with Myanmar opposition figures behind closed doors.
Khin Ohmar, involved in Myanmar’s 1988 democracy uprising, expressed concern that ASEAN has failed to secure any of the points of the 5PC. She stated that simply meeting with both sides is insufficient, and lasting peace requires accountability for the military’s actions.
Opposition NUG seeks solution
Nay Phone Latt, spokesperson for the opposition NUG Prime Minister’s Office, hopes ASEAN will not accept the results of the Myanmar military junta’s national poll or offer legitimacy to the resulting administration.
Nay Phone Latt stated that the ASEAN statement did not recognize the “Sham Election,” only that it was “noted.” He believes the USDP is simply the military in a different uniform, aiming to prolong military rule. He predicts junta leader Min Aung Hlaing will assume the President position and that conditions in Myanmar will worsen under his continued rule.
Fears about offering legitimacy
Many Myanmar NGO activists are concerned ASEAN may push for a solution that includes the military junta, as evidenced by the protest letter signed by 99 organizations.
Activist Mulan with NGO Blood Money Campaign stated that ASEAN continues to push for dialogue involving all stakeholders. She also alleged that ASEAN countries like Singapore, Vietnam, and Thailand are providing support to the junta through financial, weapons, and technological supply chains.
Mulan argued that ASEAN’s focus on “diplomacy” without taking action against the junta is counterproductive and encourages violence.
Unity viewed as lacking
NUG spokesperson Nay Phone Latt noted that a challenge for the Myanmar opposition when interacting with ASEAN is their lack of cohesion.
The NUG is working to strengthen cooperation among military and political groups, aiming for a more unified front to engage with ASEAN and advocate for “system change,” not just “regime change.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 5-Point Consensus?
The source does not define the 5-Point Consensus, only states that ASEAN’s adherence to it continues to prove a hard nut to crack and that the junta has largely ignored it.
What is the role of the Philippines as ASEAN chair in 2026?
The Philippines is the ASEAN chair for 2026 and its Foreign Secretary, Maria Theresa Lazaro, is the Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair on Myanmar. The chair has a lot on its plate, including the Myanmar crisis.
What are the concerns of the Myanmar opposition regarding the recent election?
The Myanmar opposition, including the NUG, fears that ASEAN may recognize the results of the recent election and offer legitimacy to the resulting administration, which they view as a continuation of military rule.
How will ASEAN navigate the complex political landscape in Myanmar and balance its various objectives?
