On 21 July 2026, H.E. Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, attended the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (Retreat Session) and the Extended Informal Consultation on Myanmar in Manila, the Philippines.

During the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (Retreat Session), the meeting exchanged views on key regional and international developments, anchored on ASEAN unity and centrality. Key discussions included the peaceful resolution of the situation in the Middle East, the importance of freedom of navigation, and the negotiations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) in accordance with the agreed timeline. The Deputy Prime Minister highlighted three key strategic approaches, namely Regionalism, Resilience, and Relevance.

Regarding the Extended Informal Consultation on Myanmar, the Deputy Prime Minister contributed to advancing ASEAN’s implementation of the Five-Point Consensus, building upon the outcomes of the informal meeting held in Bangkok on 12 July 2026. Thailand advanced key issues, including ASEAN’s engagement with Myanmar under the calibrated re-engagement approach proposed by Thailand, as well as enhancing the effectiveness of the ASEAN Special Envoy mechanism.