ASEAN is gravely concerned over the recent escalation of violence in Myanmar, including the bombing at Insein prison, hostilities in Karen State, and the most recent report of an air strike in Kachin State, which hit a civilian gathering, killing and injuring many people.   We are deeply saddened by the growing casualties, and the immense suffering that ordinary people in Myanmar have endured. 

ASEAN is concerned with the international and regional volatility, especially in the recent development in the area adjacent with the ASEAN region, which could destabilize the region and eventually could lead to miscalculation, serious confrontation, open conflicts and unpredictable consequences among major powers.

ASEAN denounces and is strongly disappointed by the execution of four opposition activists, including Phyo Zeyar Thaw, Kyaw Min Yu, Hla Myo Aung and Aung Thura Zaw, despite the appeals by Samdech Techo Prime Minister Hun Sen of Cambodia, in his capacity as the ASEAN Chair, as well as other ASEAN Member States, for the sentences to be reconsidered. This is an issue that ASEAN takes seriously.

ASEAN expresses grave concerns over the recent surge in DPRK’s Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) testing and ballistic missile launches. This worrisome development reflects an increased tension on the Korean Peninsula and threatens peace and stability in the region and in the world.       Download the full statement here

As the Chair of ASEAN, Cambodia wishes to announce that ASEAN and the United States are set to convene a Special Summit to celebrate four and a half decades of the ASEAN-U.S. Dialogue Relations, on 12-13 May 2022, in Washington D.C. This is the second Special Summit since 2016 and the first in person engagement for our leaders since 2017. ASEAN Leaders and President Joe Biden will meet to discuss ways and means to intensify cooperation in various areas, including COVID-19 response and global health security, climate change, sustainable development, maritime cooperation, human capital development, education and people-to-people ties, as well as connectivity and economic engagement. They will also exchange views on regional and international issues of common interest and concern. Download the full Statement here.

We, the ASEAN Foreign Ministers, jointly express our deepest condolences to the people of Ukraine on the reported killing of civilians in Ukraine. We mourn with the bereaved families whose lives and their loved ones perished in the conflict.  We support the call of the United Nations Secretary-General for an independent investigation of all alleged atrocities against innocent civilians, including in Bucha to avoid a repeat and to honor justice.   Download the full statement here.

The Foreign Ministers of ASEAN are deeply troubled by the intensifying gravity of the situation and ensuing worsening humanitarian conditions resulting from the ongoing military hostilities in Ukraine. We therefore, call for an immediate ceasefire or armistice and continuation of political dialogues that would lead to sustainable peace in Ukraine. We underline the importance of a ceasefire to create an enabling environment for negotiations to address the current crisis and avoid expanding suffering of innocent people.   Download the full statement here.

The ASEAN Foreign Ministers are deeply concerned over the evolving situation and armed hostilities in Ukraine. We call on all relevant parties to exercise maximum restraint and make utmost efforts to pursue dialogues through all channels, including diplomatic means to contain the situation, to de-escalate tensions, and to seek peaceful resolution in accordance with international law, the principles of the United Nations Charter and the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.   Download the full statement here.

ASEAN Member States welcome the ‘Joint Statement of the Leaders of the Five Nuclear-Weapon States on Preventing Nuclear War and Avoiding Arms Races’ on 3 January 2022 in which the five Nuclear-Weapon States (NWS) emphasized the importance of preserving and complying with bilateral and multilateral non-proliferation, disarmament, and arms control agreements and commitments.   We welcome the intention expressed by the five NWS in the above-mentioned statement to avoid military confrontations, to strengthen stability and predictability, and to increase mutual understanding and confidence, to ensure that the world remains peaceful, stable and secure. We, however, remain concerned over the existential threat facing humanity posed by the existence and modernisation of nuclear weapons. We firmly believe that the total elimination of nuclear weapons is the only way to guarantee against their use and threat of use.   Download the full statement here.

ASEAN expresses grave concerns over the continued ballistic missile tests conducted by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), which may escalate tensions and threaten regional peace and stability. ASEAN calls on the DPRK to comply fully with all relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions, taking into account the international community's calls for diplomacy and in the interest of maintaining peace and security in the region.  ASEAN reaffirms its readiness to play a constructive role, including through utilising ASEAN-led platforms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), in promoting a conducive atmosphere for peaceful dialogue amongst the concerned parties to bring about a complete, verifiable, irreversible , And peaceful denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula.

One year on, ASEAN Member States remained deeply concerned with developments in Myanmar, including reports of continued violence and deterioration of humanitarian situation. Recalling serious efforts made to help solve the crisis, including the recent visit to Myanmar by Samdech Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, ASEAN Member States urge Myanmar authorities to take concrete actions to effectively and fully implement the Five Point Consensus (5PC) reached at the ASEAN Leaders’ Meeting on 24 April 2021.   Download the full statement here