Jakarta, IO – Asean leaders agreed that the Philippines would replace Mymamar as the chairman of the regional bloc in 2026. This consensus was reached at the 43rd Asean Summit 2023 in Jakarta.
The decision was taken based on the Five Point Consensus (5PC) which Myanmar has not fulfilled. In this consensus, Asean called for an end to the violence in the country to provide humanitarian assistance to affected residents, per Katadata.com, Wednesday (6/8).
“It was agreed that the chairmanship of Asean in 2026 would be held by the Philippines and Asean is committed to continuing humanitarian assistance (to Myanmar),” said Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi.
Asean previously barred leaders of Myanmar junta from attending the meeting as Myanmar military junta has failed to fulfill the peace agreement agreed with Asean after the overthrow of the elected government in 2021.
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The 5PC agreed in April 2021 will remain Asean’s reference in resolving the conflict in Myanmar. Asean chairmanship is determined alphabetically. Thus, according to the convention, Myanmar should take the chair of Asean in 2026, while the Philippines will get its turn in 2027.
Foreign Ministry Special Staff for Regional Diplomacy I Gede Ngurah Swajaya said after the Philippines, the next leadership would continue alphabetically. (un)