ASEAN offers Myanmar's sidelined leaders a path back to summits, but says restrictions will stay until there is meaningful progress on its peace plan

ASEAN leaders have proposed a staged, progress-based approach to reengage Myanmar's government in regional summits, pending meaningful advancement on the bloc's five-point peace plan. Myanmar, a member of ASEAN, has been barred from summits and foreign ministers' meetings since the military coup in October 2021, which overthrew the elected government led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.

The military regime has failed to make substantial progress on the peace plan since its inception in 2021, and fighting persists between the military and pro-democracy and ethnic armed groups. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. questioned the bloc's ability to support an inclusive process led by Myanmar, urging ASEAN to find practical ways to advance the peace plan and bolster the nation.

In addition to discussing political representation, leaders will address trade, regional security, and fuel supply sharing amidst the ongoing conflict in Iran. On the sidelines of the summit, the Philippines and Australia signed a defense agreement, while Canada and the Philippines finalized free trade negotiations. However, the proposed South China Sea code of conduct remains unresolved.

ASEAN's Chinese counterpart, Chinese Premier Li Qiang, is attending the summit, while US President Donald Trump is expected to arrive later in the week to attend the meetings with leaders of India, Japan, and Australia, as part of the Quad group.