Philippines appoints its 2026 ASEAN Chair Special Envoy on Myanmar

Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro will take on the role of Special Envoy on Myanmar as the Philippines prepares to chair the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) regional bloc in 2026, tasked with implementing its stalled Five-Point Consensus peace plan.

Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. named Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro as the Special Envoy of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Chair on Myanmar on Friday, the Philippine News Agency reported.

“We are confident that she shall bring a constructive, principled, and inclusive approach to supporting the people of Myanmar, guided by her mandate and the Five-Point Consensus, as we work together towards peace, stability, and reconciliation,” said Marcos.

President Marcos made the announcement in Manila during an event launching the Philippines’ 2026 ASEAN chairmanship on Nov. 14. Lazaro’s appointment is meant to help implement the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus, which aims to resolve the crisis that has gripped Myanmar since the military coup on Feb. 1, 2021.

President Marcos expressed his belief that Lazaro will aid the people of Myanmar with a constructive and principled approach. “Secretary Tess, you better get this done. I already made a promise to everyone,” Marcos told Lazaro.

Civil society organizations in Myanmar have called on ASEAN to allow 2025 Chair Malaysia’s Special Envoy Othman Hashim to continue in the role negotiating with the regime in Naypyidaw, which seized power during the 2021 coup, during Philippines’ 2026 chairmanship — which bypasses Myanmar in its alphabetical order.

The ASEAN Five-Point Consensus calls for an immediate end to violence, dialogue between all parties, humanitarian assistance, and engagement with all stakeholders. It was agreed to by regime leader Min Aung Hlaing in April 2021 but not implemented upon his return to Myanmar.