ASEAN leaders will convene in Vientiane to address the ongoing civil conflict in Myanmar and escalating tensions in the South China Sea, marking Myanmar’s return to formal discussions after a military coup in 2021. The summit will also focus on transnational crime and food security, addressing broader regional and global issues.
The upcoming summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Vientiane on Wednesday is set to focus on pressing issues, notably the civil unrest in Myanmar and escalating tensions in the South China Sea. This marks the first significant engagement of Myanmar’s leadership in ASEAN discussions since the military coup that took place in February 2021, which ousted the democratically elected administration of Aung San Suu Kyi. After a period of boycotting, the military regime has decided to send Aung Kyaw Moe, the permanent secretary of Myanmar’s Foreign Ministry, to represent the country at the summit and forthcoming ASEAN meetings with partner nations. The agenda is expected to encompass the dire situation in Myanmar, including discussions on the five-point consensus established in April 2021 aimed at restoring peace and stability; however, implementation of this framework has reportedly been stagnant, with widespread violence continuing and severe humanitarian impacts arising from the conflict. Since the coup, thousands of lives have been lost as various ethnic minority groups have united in a significant offensive against the junta. In addition to Myanmar’s plight, the leaders will deliberate on the South China Sea, where recent incidents have heightened tensions. Chinese aggressiveness toward the Philippines’ vessels has notably escalated, alongside a recent incident involving the assault of a Vietnamese fishing boat, indicating a broader regional concern regarding territorial disputes as overlapping claims by nations, including Malaysia and Brunei, remain unresolved. Furthermore, the summit will address transnational crime and food security, while also touching upon international issues related to the increasing tensions on the Korean Peninsula and conflicts in the Middle East. ASEAN, comprised of ten member states—Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam—will seek to enhance cooperation in these critical areas during the upcoming engagement.
The regional discussions of ASEAN involve a complex interplay of geopolitical challenges, particularly regarding Myanmar’s internal conflict post-coup and maritime disputes in the South China Sea, an area rife with competing territorial claims. The situation in Myanmar presents significant humanitarian concerns, prompting ASEAN’s three-pronged response strategy embodied in the five-point consensus. Concurrently, the South China Sea serves as a flashpoint for China’s interactions with its neighbors, which raises concerns surrounding sovereignty and national security among ASEAN member countries.
The ASEAN summit represents a pivotal opportunity for regional leaders to address critical issues of humanitarian concern in Myanmar and the contentious territorial disputes in the South China Sea. While efforts such as the five-point consensus aim to resolve the turmoil in Myanmar, persistent violence and geopolitical tensions exemplify the challenges that ASEAN faces in fostering unity and stability in Southeast Asia. The discussions will also extend to transnational issues and global conflicts, reflecting the organization’s commitment to a comprehensive approach in addressing both regional and international concerns.
Original Source: english.kyodonews.net
