Key facts
- ASEAN foreign ministers are meeting in Manila for their annual conference.
- Key discussion points include the Myanmar crisis, South China Sea tensions, and the conflict in the Middle East.
- The Philippines' foreign secretary will update ministers on her talks with Myanmar's rebel groups.
- Ministers are expected to issue a joint statement expressing alarm over the Iran war and its impact on global trade and shipping.
- ASEAN and China are committed to negotiating a code of conduct for the South China Sea.
ASEAN foreign ministers are convening in Manila for their annual gathering, facing a critical test of unity as they aim to navigate several complex geopolitical issues. The crisis in Myanmar, the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, and tensions in the South China Sea are set to dominate the discussions.
Philippine Foreign Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro, serving as ASEAN's special envoy on Myanmar, is scheduled to brief her counterparts on her recent engagements with various stakeholders in the war-torn country, including armed rebel groups. These discussions are considered crucial for any future dialogue on Myanmar's political future.
The ministers are also expected to address the renewed hostilities in the Middle East, particularly the Iran war, which has raised concerns about global trade and shipping, especially through the Strait of Hormuz. A joint statement expressing alarm and urging a return to talks is anticipated.
Furthermore, ASEAN and China have reaffirmed their commitment to negotiating a "substantive and effective" code of conduct for the South China Sea. This comes shortly after the 10th anniversary of a 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated China's extensive claims in the region, a decision Beijing rejects.
The summit is expected to draw attendance from high-level diplomats including U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The Philippines is hosting the meetings as the current chair of the 11-nation regional bloc.