ASEAN foreign ministers have lauded the inclusive engagement efforts of the ASEAN chair’s special envoy on Myanmar, Tan Sri Othman Hashim, while expressing hope that the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on the Safe and Responsible Use of Social Media Platforms in ASEAN will be officially adopted.
In a joint communique following the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) held on 9 July, the ministers said Othman, appointed in January, had actively engaged a broad range of stakeholders in pursuit of an “inclusive and sustainable resolution to the crisis”.
“The Special Envoy has also engaged ASEAN Member States, ASEAN Dialogue Partners, Myanmar’s neighbouring countries, international and regional partners, civil society organisations, humanitarian actors, and think tanks,” the statement read, reflecting ASEAN’s collaborative approach to the complex Myanmar crisis.
The ministers also reaffirmed their shared position that the ASEAN Leaders’ Five-Point Consensus (5PC) remains the primary reference point in addressing Myanmar’s ongoing political turmoil, and reiterated their pledge to submit a comprehensive review of the 5PC’s implementation at the 47th ASEAN Summit.
They condemned the ongoing violence in Myanmar, urging all parties to “take concrete action to immediately halt indiscriminate violence, exercise utmost restraint, ensure the protection and safety of civilians and civilian infrastructure, and create a conducive environment for humanitarian aid and inclusive dialogue”.
Meanwhile, the foreign ministers expressed hope that the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on the Safe and Responsible Use of Social Media will be adopted as part of regional efforts to promote more secure and inclusive online behaviour.
In a separate statement issued Friday, the ministers acknowledged the contributions of ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Information (AMRI) in combating disinformation and promoting responsible digital conduct.
“They also appreciated AMRI’s efforts to strengthen cooperation in addressing the spread of fake news and misinformation in the region, in line with ASEAN’s goals to promote unity and mutual understanding,” the statement said.
The regional bloc further welcomed the Bandar Seri Begawan Declaration, which reaffirms AMRI’s commitment to strengthening ASEAN cohesion through strategic advancement in media and information.
Progress on the ASEAN Guidelines on the Safe and Responsible Use of Social Media Platforms was also noted, aimed at promoting a harmonised digital engagement strategy aligned with ASEAN’s principle of unity.
ASEAN ministers also voiced support for AMRI’s development of the Information and Media Work Plan (2026–2035) and the ASEAN Communication Master Plan III (2026–2030), both aligned with the region’s long-term vision under ASEAN Vision 2045: Our Future Together.
These initiatives, they said, reinforce ASEAN’s commitment to a responsive, inclusive and forward-thinking information landscape. - July 12, 2025
