• The ASEAN foreign ministers have urged Myanmar's military government to prioritize peace rather than their planned elections amid ongoing civil unrest.
• Southeast Asian nations demand dialogue and humanitarian access as nearly 20 million people in Myanmar require urgent assistance.
• Confrontations in the South China Sea remain a critical concern, with Malaysia advocating for a code of conduct in the strategically significant waters.
• Malaysia's appointment of a special envoy to Myanmar reflects the country's commitment to facilitating dialogue and peace processes.
• ASEAN ministers discuss implications of U.S.-China tensions and their impact on regional stability and unity.

LANGKAWI, Malaysia (AP, South China Morning Post, Reuters, Voice of America, Al Jazeera) — The foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) convened recently to address pressing regional issues, particularly the ongoing civil war in Myanmar and escalating tensions in the South China Sea. As Malaysia assumes the chair of the 10-member bloc, officials emphasized that Myanmar's upcoming elections cannot proceed without first achieving peace.

Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan articulated that the junta's focus on elections is misplaced amidst ongoing violence, stating, "The election has to be inclusive... We told them the election is not our priority. Our priority is to stop the violence." The military government, which has faced extensive criticism since the overthrow of the democratic government in 2021, plans to push for elections despite widespread skepticism regarding their legitimacy.

Amidst these challenges, the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar has reached alarming levels, with nearly 20 million people — more than a third of the population — in dire need of assistance. To address this, Malaysia announced the appointment of Othman Hashim as a special envoy tasked with pushing for a peaceful resolution and implementing ASEAN’s five-point peace plan, which has stalled since its introduction following the coup. "We want Myanmar to adhere to the Five-Point Consensus, to stop hostilities and have dialogue," Mohamad stated.

In addition to the crisis in Myanmar, tensions in the South China Sea were a major agenda item. Several ASEAN nations, including the Philippines, Vietnam, and Malaysia, have raised concerns regarding Beijing's assertiveness in claiming territorial rights over much of these waters — a critical maritime route for global trade. Malaysia is calling for accelerated negotiations with China to finalize a code of conduct that would help to maintain peace and stability in the region.

Looking ahead, ASEAN ministers are recognizing the need for unity and economic integration amidst rising geopolitical tensions, notably between the U.S. and China. "We must ensure that ASEAN remains our central go-to platform for solution seeking," said Mohamad during the opening of the retreat.

The developments from this ministerial meeting will significantly influence ASEAN's approach to two of the most pressing issues facing the region — the ongoing strife in Myanmar and the complex territorial disputes in the South China Sea, shaping the geopolitical landscape of Southeast Asia in the years to come.

For more details, refer to the original reports from AP News.