Naypyidaw: Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing has strongly criticized the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, saying the regional bloc's peace initiative has failed to bring stability to the country. Speaking during his first major policy address after taking office under Myanmar's new civilian administration, he said the government would move forward with its own plans to restore peace, rebuild the economy and strengthen national institutions, while rejecting what it described as outside interference in the country's internal affairs.
Addressing the newly formed parliament, Min Aung Hlaing said the government would focus on improving security, expanding economic opportunities, strengthening agriculture and industry, improving transport and energy infrastructure and providing better education and healthcare. He also said the administration remained committed to building a democratic federal union, but insisted that the process must follow Myanmar's own roadmap instead of external pressure.
A major part of the speech focused on ASEAN's Five Point Consensus, a peace plan adopted by the regional bloc shortly after Myanmar's military seized power in 2021. The plan calls for an immediate end to violence, dialogue among all parties involved in the conflict, humanitarian assistance and the appointment of a special envoy to facilitate negotiations.
Min Aung Hlaing argued that the initiative had not helped resolve the country's political crisis and instead had become an obstacle to restoring stability. He said Myanmar's government would continue to pursue its own approach to achieving peace and national reconciliation. His remarks reflected the position recently adopted by Myanmar's parliament, which formally rejected the ASEAN peace framework, saying it represented interference in the country's domestic affairs.
The criticism comes at a time when relations between Myanmar and ASEAN remain strained. Since the military takeover in 2021, ASEAN has barred Myanmar's political leadership from attending its high level summits because of the lack of progress in implementing the Five Point Consensus. Although some member states have called for greater engagement with Myanmar's authorities, the regional bloc has largely maintained that the consensus remains the basis for its policy toward the country.
ASEAN officials have repeatedly stated that meaningful political dialogue and an end to violence are essential before Myanmar's leaders can fully return to regional meetings. The bloc has also continued humanitarian efforts through its own mechanisms while encouraging all sides to engage in peaceful discussions.
Despite the government's focus on development and stability, the security situation across Myanmar remains difficult. Fighting between the military and various resistance groups continues in several parts of the country. Independent conflict monitoring organizations have reported that violence has intensified in many regions during 2026, with increased air strikes and attacks affecting civilians.
Humanitarian agencies estimate that millions of people remain displaced by the conflict, while many communities continue to face shortages of food, healthcare and basic services. The prolonged fighting has also damaged infrastructure and disrupted economic activity across large parts of the country.
The political transition that brought Min Aung Hlaing to the presidency has also remained controversial. The election that led to the formation of the new government was widely criticized by Western governments, international observers and human rights organizations. Many opposition parties, including those linked to former civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, were unable to participate, while voting could not take place in several conflict affected areas.
At the same time, neighbouring countries continue to deal with the wider impact of Myanmar's crisis. Large numbers of refugees and migrant workers remain in surrounding nations, while governments across Southeast Asia are balancing humanitarian concerns with regional security and diplomatic relations.
Political analysts say Min Aung Hlaing's latest speech signals that Myanmar intends to continue charting its own course rather than adjusting its policies to meet ASEAN's expectations. While the government is presenting economic recovery and institutional reform as its main priorities, many observers believe that lasting stability will depend on reducing violence and creating conditions for inclusive political dialogue.
For now, the differences between Myanmar and ASEAN remain unresolved. With the regional bloc standing by its peace plan and Myanmar rejecting it, prospects for a breakthrough appear limited. As conflict continues and humanitarian needs grow, the country's political future is likely to remain one of Southeast Asia's most significant challenges.