ASEAN Reportedly Set to Allow Myanmar Back Into Agenda Talks in July

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - ASEAN has reportedly allowed the foreign minister and diplomats from Myanmar to participate in virtual side meetings during the upcoming ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in July 2026.

According to sources familiar with the matter, as cited by Kyodo and reported by Antara on Friday, May 8, 2026, this accommodation towards Myanmar was made after ASEAN adjusted to the new government structure in Myanmar led by President Min Aung Hlaing, the former junta leader.

Since the military coup in Myanmar in February 2021, ASEAN has prohibited the presence of Myanmar's leaders in its organizational agenda since October 2021.

During the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, the Philippines, all ASEAN member state leaders, except for Myanmar, discussed maritime cooperation and joint responses to the energy crisis resulting from attacks on Iran by the United States and Israel. This includes proposals for securing oil supplies.

Previously, at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Cebu on Thursday, Thailand proposed allowing Myanmar to participate in the upcoming July meeting. However, according to the source, Singapore opposed Thailand's proposal and refused to allow Myanmar's foreign minister to be present at the main meeting.

Despite ongoing dialogue efforts with the Myanmar authorities following the military coup that toppled the civilian government, ASEAN continues to express concern over the protracted conflict in Myanmar.

ASEAN has also urged Myanmar to commit to implementing the Five-Point Consensus, which includes, among others, the cessation of violence and the facilitation of meetings between the ASEAN special envoy and all relevant parties.

According to the source, the Philippine foreign minister—whose country is currently chairing ASEAN and serving as the ASEAN special envoy for Myanmar—sees no objection to the Myanmar foreign minister attending the virtual meeting in July.

ASEAN is a geopolitical and economic organization followed by the Philippines, Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Timor Leste, Vietnam, and Myanmar.

Read: ASEAN Applauds Myanmar Plan to Free Thousands of Prisoners

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