Top diplomats of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries on September 4 reviewed a stalled peace plan for Myanmar, as the country’s ruling military failed to end violence more than two years after it seized power in a coup. ASEAN Foreign Ministers are meeting in Jakarta, capital of chair Indonesia, this week to discuss Myanmar, a code of conduct for the South China Sea, the region’s economy, transnational crime and other issues.
Myanmar is a member of ASEAN. However, its military rulers have been excluded from top bloc meetings since they ousted an elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi in 2021, leading to violent opposition to their rule. ASEAN has agreed on a peace plan, which calls for an end to violence and a dialogue among all parties, but the military generals have paid little more than lip service to it.
ASEAN leaders are due to gather in Jakarta later in the week along with leaders and top from partner countries such as the United States, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, India, and others.
Scheduled from September 5-7 with 12 high-level meetings, the 43rd ASEAN Summit is focusing on four main pillars, including upholding the long-term vision of the region, strengthening ASEAN’s resilience in facing the challenges, promoting ASEAN as a centre of economic growth, and making the Indo-Pacific a region of peace and prosperity.
