ASEAN envoy briefs UNSC on Myanmar state of affairs
Foreign minister Prak Sokhonn, who also serves as the ASEAN special envoy on Myanmar, voiced optimism on May 27 that his second trip to the predominantly Buddhist country in June would produce positive outcomes and that he would be able to meet with a broader range of stakeholders in the ongoing crisis.
Sokhonn gave a special briefing on the Myanmar situation to the UN Security Council (UNSC) on May 27, roughly five months after his first such briefing and just over two months since his March visit.
He emphasized to the UNSC that Myanmar had faced numerous, multifaceted challenges ranging from the ongoing political and economic turmoil to the fight against Covid-19 and the onset of a severe humanitarian crisis.
“Having said that, not all hope is lost as long as we – both ASEAN and the international community – continue to engage constructively with Myanmar as opposed to isolating them.
“Cambodia fully recognizes the complexity of this issue, and while we are doing our best as ASEAN chair this year, we sincerely hope that our contribution serves as a good foundation for future efforts in attaining peace, stability, and prosperity for all of Myanmar,” Sokhonn said in a social media post after the briefing.
He said he would approach next month’s trip to Myanmar with five key things in mind: “The cessation of violence, constructive engagement, Covid-19 vaccinations, humanitarian relief, and optimism”.
In a May 28 press statement on the outcome of Sokhonn’s meeting with the UNSC, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said the minister had briefed the UNSC on his first trip to Myanmar on March 21-23 and at the Consultative Meeting on ASEAN Humanitarian Assistance to Myanmar on May 6 in Phnom Penh.
“In this regard, the special envoy reaffirmed Cambodia’s readiness and commitment to be a keen listener and sincere facilitator for Myanmar,” the ministry said regarding Sokhonn’s first trip.
Sokhonn told the UNSC that the immediate priority would be to roll out the measures that were agreed to at the recent consultative meeting, especially the efforts to deliver humanitarian assistance to those most in need in a timely manner and without any discrimination.
“During this upcoming visit, the special envoy hopes to meet as many relevant stakeholders as possible in addition to those he met during the first visit,” the ministry said without naming who Sokhonn failed to meet or whom he hoped to meet this time around.
Recalling his March visit, Sokhonn said Myanmar leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing – chairman of the ruling State Administration Council (SAC) – had hinted that he could possibly meet with, among others, former civilian administration leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
UN special envoy on Myanmar Noeleen Heyzer last week also met with Prime Minister Hun Sen – in his capacity as the 2022 ASEAN chair – at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
Heyzer reiterated the importance of aligning regional efforts with realities on the ground and supporting a Myanmar-led process that reflects the needs and the will of the people, according to Stephane Dujarric, a spokesperson for the UN.
SOURCE: NEWS AGENCIES