Myanmar junta to be represented in ASEAN-Australia Special Summit events through Canberra embassy

The Myanmar military junta will be represented in at least two Special Summit events between Australia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Myanmar Now has confirmed. Thet Tun, the Chargé d'affaires of the junta-controlled embassy in the capital, Canberra, has been called on to participate in the Maritime Cooperation Conference and the Climate and Clean Energy Forum which are official Summit activities and key focus areas Australia-ASEAN relations. The junta appointed Thet Tun as their representative in Australia in June 2022. The Special Summit, which is being held in Melbourne from March 4-6, brings heads of state from ASEAN members to Australia for a leaders’ plenary and retreat and events on the key focus areas, which also include business and “emerging leaders.” A spokesperson for Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) would not say if the junta would be represented at other Summit events. “Myanmar is a member of ASEAN, and we are closely following ASEAN’s position, which excludes Myanmar from political representation at leader-level and Foreign Minister-level meetings,” the individual told Myanmar Now. ASEAN’s position on political representation has allowed the junta to participate in meetings through civil servants, such as embassy appointees, as well as other ministers. In December, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation revealed that Australia sent the junta its plans for the summit and a draft leaders’ statement for feedback. When asked if Australia was concerned about the junta’s participation in the Summit, the DFAT spokesperson said the country was “deeply concerned at the worsening situation in Myanmar.” “The military coup reversed years of democratic, economic and development gains, with devastating consequences for the people of Myanmar and implications for regional security and prosperity,” the spokesperson explained, and called on the regime “to cease violence, release all those unjustly detained, allow unimpeded humanitarian access, and engage in inclusive dialogue.” “Australia supports ASEAN’s efforts and leadership seeking a resolution to the situation, including through the Five Point Consensus.” The maritime cooperation events include a conference and 1.5 track dialogue will focus on security issues and the “blue economy” and come as the junta tries to gain control of Myanmar’s territory three years into its attempted coup. The junta also participated in maritime-related trainings sponsored by the Australian government last year, as was revealed by Myanmar Now. The Climate and Clean Energy Forum will address the transition to a green economy and also involves the participation of academia, think tanks, business and civil society. The Australian government refused to say whether the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI) or Myanmar companies were attending the business track events. In recent months, Myanmar’s publicly mandated National Unity Government has dissolved the UMFCCI and blacklisted 64 of its members as a result of their financial support to the junta. Australia’s engagement with the junta and slow pace of sanctions has been criticised by activists. "Over the past three years, the Australian Government has communicated its stance against the junta through public statements and targeted sanctions,” Tasneem Roc, campaign manager for the Australia-based Myanmar Campaign Network said. “However, for our efforts to truly resonate, there must be consistency and coherence in our actions. Australia can’t commit to cutting the flow of funds to the junta while simultaneously fostering business and trade relations with these murderers.” To uphold its commitment to democracy and human rights, she said the country “must unequivocally exclude representatives and associates of the military junta from participating in any meetings and events at all levels."

Myanmar junta to be represented in ASEAN-Australia Special Summit events through Canberra embassy

The junta is slated to participate in maritime cooperation and clean energy summits in Melbourne

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