As Southeast Asia navigates an increasingly complex geopolitical and economic landscape, the urgency to resolve the crisis in Myanmar and chart a united trade future has once again drawn regional leaders to the negotiation table. Meeting under the banner of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), leaders from the bloc’s 10 member states gathered this week with a dual mandate: to reenergize peace efforts in Myanmar and to strengthen trade and economic resilience across the region.

The ASEAN summit, held in Vientiane, Laos, came at a pivotal moment. With global supply chains still recalibrating in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and amidst rising tensions between major powers like the United States and China, Southeast Asia finds itself at the center of the global crossroads. But while trade strategy dominated the official agenda, it was the deepening crisis in Myanmar that underscored every discussion.

Myanmar: A Stalemate That Can No Longer Wait

More than two years after Myanmar's military seized power in a coup, the country remains in political paralysis and humanitarian distress. The military junta continues its brutal campaign against civilian resistance, drawing international condemnation and internal rebellion. Yet ASEAN’s longstanding “Five-Point Consensus” on Myanmar—a roadmap meant to guide the country back toward peace and democratic governance—has failed to gain traction.

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, whose country held the ASEAN chairmanship in 2023 and attempted diplomatic backchanneling with Myanmar's military leaders, expressed "profound frustration" at the lack of tangible progress. “We are not here to condemn,” Prabowo said in his opening remarks. “But to insist: peace in Myanmar is not an ASEAN aspiration—it is an ASEAN necessity.”

ASEAN has faced widespread criticism for its limited leverage over Myanmar. The junta has flouted summit invitations, sidelined ASEAN envoys, and disregarded humanitarian agreements. But the pressure is mounting. Thailand and Malaysia, both of which share migration and refugee spillovers from Myanmar, are urging the bloc to take stronger stances, potentially including formal suspension of Myanmar’s military representatives from all ASEAN mechanisms.

Vietnam and the Philippines, meanwhile, have stressed the need for a more active multilateral effort involving UN and regional partners. “Stability in Southeast Asia requires action, not just architecture,” remarked Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo.

Trade in the Shadow of Turmoil

Beyond Myanmar, leaders emphasized trade as a key pillar for the region’s resilience. The global economic slowdown, coupled with supply chain disruptions and climate-driven pressures, has highlighted the need for deeper intra-regional cooperation. At the summit, discussions centered on upgrading the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) and streamlining digital customs processes to support cross-border commerce.

Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong championed a proposal to establish a "Digital Silk Road" across ASEAN, linking regional economies via digital trade protocols, fintech partnerships, and e-commerce infrastructure. "If ASEAN is to thrive in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, we must trade in bytes as well as goods,” Wong said.

The bloc also reviewed progress on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the world’s largest trade pact that links ASEAN with five key Asia-Pacific partners, including China and Japan. While RCEP offers massive opportunities for tariff reduction and supply chain integration, political friction—especially between China and some ASEAN members—has complicated its rollout.

Strategic Autonomy in a Multipolar Era

As the United States and China continue to jockey for influence in the Indo-Pacific, ASEAN’s pursuit of strategic autonomy was another recurring theme. The bloc’s leadership underscored the importance of neutrality and unity in navigating external pressures. While countries like Cambodia and Laos maintain close ties with Beijing, others like Vietnam and the Philippines are strengthening military cooperation with the U.S. and Japan.

Yet ASEAN remains cautious of being caught in great-power competition. “We do not choose sides, we choose principles,” said Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, reflecting a shared sentiment. “Our unity is not a statement of sameness, but of shared sovereignty.”

To that end, leaders reaffirmed the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation and called for faster implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), a framework designed to ensure regional security, open sea lanes, and peaceful dispute resolution.

Humanitarian Diplomacy and the ASEAN Identity

A quieter but significant discussion focused on ASEAN’s role in shaping not just policy, but identity. With over 680 million people across diverse nations, languages, and belief systems, the idea of a cohesive Southeast Asian identity has long been aspirational. The Myanmar crisis has tested that unity, exposing both the limits of ASEAN’s non-interference policy and the need for a values-based diplomacy.

Civil society organizations have increasingly called for ASEAN to support democratic movements and human rights within the region, especially in light of Myanmar's ongoing abuses. While member states differ in political systems, the collective regional conscience—fueled by a digitally connected youth population—is beginning to demand more than just economic development.

What Comes Next

As the summit concluded, a joint communiqué was released reaffirming commitments to Myanmar peace, trade liberalization, and regional stability. But critics noted the document lacked any concrete enforcement mechanisms regarding Myanmar. Still, the quiet diplomacy behind the scenes may bear more fruit than the official speeches.

Whether ASEAN can transform its soft power into decisive action remains to be seen. But what’s clear is this: Southeast Asia is no longer content to remain a passive player in world affairs. With economies growing, digital corridors forming, and a new generation pushing for accountability, the region is preparing to lead—not just follow—in shaping the 21st century.