ASEAN FOREIGN MINISTERS’ STATEMENT ON THE ESCALATION OF CONFLICTS IN MYANMAR (18 APRIL 2024)

We, the Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), are deeply concerned over the recent escalation of conflicts, including in the area of Myawaddy, Kayin State, along the border area between Myanmar and Thailand and in Rakhine State of Myanmar, which have caused displacement of civilians.

To avoid further humanitarian impacts of such escalation of all forms of conflicts, we urge all parties for an immediate cessation of violence and to exercise utmost restraint, to uphold international humanitarian law, and to take all the necessary measures to defuse tensions and to ensure the protection and safety of all civilians, including foreign nationals and citizens of ASEAN Member States.

We call on all parties to take urgent steps towards mitigating the impact of conflicts on the civilians, including creating a safe and conducive environment to ensure the timely and safe delivery of humanitarian assistance to all those in need in Myanmar without discrimination. We support the continued efforts of the AHA Centre, as well as Thailand's humanitarian cross-border initiative, which are in line with the Five-Point Consensus and coordinated with the ASEAN Chair through the Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair on Myanmar. We call for the mobilisation of support on efforts towards humanitarian talks in addressing the humanitarian consequences in Myanmar and for an inclusive national dialogue toward a durable and comprehensive political solution in Myanmar.

We reaffirm our commitment to assisting Myanmar in finding a solution by helping to create a conducive environment through the full and swift implementation of the Five-Point Consensus in its entirety, as it remains critical in helping the people of Myanmar to achieve an inclusive and durable peaceful resolution to the crisis that is Myanmar- owned and led, for peace, security, and stability in the region. We also reaffirm that a peaceful and unified Myanmar is in the interest of ASEAN. In this regard, we reiterate our support to 2024 ASEAN Chair and its Special Envoy on Myanmar, including its continued engagements with all stakeholders in Myanmar.