Press Statement on ASEAN Five-Point Statement, known as ASEAN Five-Point Consensus

 

DURING the ASEAN Leaders’ Meeting held at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta, Indonesia, on 24 April 2021, the ASEAN Leaders deliberated and provided recommendations on the developments in Myanmar. At the Meeting, Myanmar responded that (1) it noted that some suggestions by the ASEAN Member States were constructive and would be taken into consideration based on the internal situation of the state; (2) it would give careful consideration to those suggestions since priorities at the moment were given to maintain law and order and to restore community stability; and (3) the suggestions would be positively considered if it would facilitate the implementation of the Five-Point Roadmap laid down by the Government, in line with the purposes and principles enshrined in the ASEAN Charter, ASEAN Way and ASEAN Spirit.

Following the ASEAN Leaders’ Meeting, the Five-Point Statement was released as an annex to the Chairman’s Statement. It was attached as an annex to the Chairman’s Statement without prior notification and circulation of a draft to the Member States, particularly to the country concerned, Myanmar, which was inconsistent with the ASEAN practice. Therefore, it was released without reaching a consensus among all Member States. Myanmar’s position on the said Statement had already been conveyed through the state-owned newspapers on 27 April 2021.

Myanmar has also endeavoured to cooperate to the fullest extent possible guided by the spirit of the ASEAN family and based on its national interests with regard to the recommendations and suggestions made by the ASEAN Member States, as well as the aforementioned Five-Point Statement. As the Five-Point Roadmap laid down during the tenure of the State Administration Council is complementary to the ASEAN Five-Point Statement, the Government has implemented its FivePoint Roadmap, while making every possible effort to cooperate on matters relating to it without compromising its national interests and sovereignty.

Following the successful holding of elections in Myanmar in December 2025 and January 2026, the Hluttaw (Parliament) has been duly constituted. On 9 July 2026, the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (Union Parliament) adopted an urgent motion “urging the Union Government to review and take necessary action regarding the Five-Point Statement, as it diverges from fundamental principles of ASEAN, and does not align with the current political developments in Myanmar”

Myanmar delegation led by the Union Minister for Foreign Affairs attended the Informal Meeting of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers which was held in Bangkok, Thailand, on 12 July 2026.

At the said Informal Meeting, the Union Minister briefed that Myanmar will continue its efforts to normalize its relations with ASEAN through a Myanmar-owned and Myanmar-led process, based on the reality on the ground while safeguarding its national interests and sovereignty. Regarding the ASEAN FivePoint Statement, the Union Minister also briefed that as the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw has adopted an urgent motion, the Government, being bound to respect the decision of the Hluttaw, consisting of the Representatives elected by the will of the people, is obliged to respect and to take appropriate measures accordingly while Myanmar will cooperate with the Association to the fullest extent possible to restore normalization of its relations with ASEAN.

Myanmar will enhance its cooperation with international communities including neighbouring countries, friendly countries and ASEAN Member States, in line with its foreign policy stipulated in the 2008 Constitution and the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, and continue to maintain constructive and mutually beneficial cooperation with ASEAN while upholding its national interests and sovereignty.

In the discussion and implementation of the ASEAN Five-Point Statement, ASEAN Member States should respect and uphold ASEAN’s fundamental principles enshrined in the ASEAN Charter such as respect for the sovereignty of Member States and non-interference in internal affairs. Myanmar, on its part, will continue to cooperate with ASEAN to the fullest extent possible based on the real situations on the ground.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

23 July 2026

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