Tagaytay city: The Philippines has hosted a meeting among political and ethnic groups from Myanmar, the first under its chairship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The gathering marks a significant step towards addressing the ongoing crisis in Myanmar, with a focus on de-escalation and fostering political dialogue.

According to Philippines News Agency, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced that the Myanmar Stakeholders' Meeting, held earlier this month in Tagaytay City, was organized by DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro. She participated in her capacity as the Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair on Myanmar. The meeting brought together various groups from the Southeast Asian state, who exchanged views on advancing de-escalation, facilitating humanitarian assistance, addressing transnational crime, and fostering political dialogue among relevant stakeholders.

The meeting highlighted the Special Envoy's role in promoting dialogue and mediation under the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus (5PC). Lazaro emphasized that the meeting is a crucial component of the ASEAN Chair's strategy to engage Myanmar's stakeholders, stating that lasting peace can only be achieved through an inclusive process.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. appointed Lazaro as a special envoy to aid in peacefully resolving the Myanmar crisis as the Philippines assumes the ASEAN chairship this year. The DFA noted that Lazaro aims to build on the achievements of the previous Malaysian special envoy, focusing on promoting dialogue and humanitarian assistance in Myanmar.