Media Release
For Immediate Release
Myanmar: What ASEAN Can and Should Do
SIIA convenes confidential dialogues with the Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair on Myanmar
to respond to the situation in Myanmar
Singapore, 24 August 2021 – The Singapore Institute of International Affairs (SIIA) is convening a series of confidential dialogues to gather and curate views from different ASEAN experts and think tanks on how best to respond to the situation in Myanmar.
Held virtually, the dialogues are attended by the Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair on Myanmar (and Brunei Foreign Minister II) H.E. Dato Erywan Pehin Yusof. The first dialogue, held on 23 August, convened 22 leading experts from all 10 ASEAN countries who have been active advocates on Myanmar since the coup.
The dialogues focus on the practicalities of what can be done by ASEAN and the Special Envoy, and what are the immediate-term needs and priorities.
“There is a sense of urgency. The situation in Myanmar is not stable and is in fact getting worse,” said Associate Professor Simon Tay, Chairman of the SIIA. “But ASEAN and its Special Envoy also must consider different views that continue, despite the consensus reached by the ASEAN Special Leaders’ meeting.”
Tay added, “As the Special Envoy consults more widely to hear from different perspectives, the SIIA is honoured to play a role to convene part of those discussions. We hope this can assist the Special Envoy in responding to the complex and fraught situation.”
The SIIA will be holding a second dialogue on Monday, 30 August 2021 with a broad and diverse representation of Myanmar-based experts and think tanks. While the dialogue is confidential, it is expected that the need for the Special Envoy to have access to all parties will be emphasised, together with the urgent need for humanitarian assistance, especially with the pandemic and COVID-19 cases spiralling in Myanmar.
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For further enquiries, please contact the SIIA
Media Contacts
Rohini Nambiar
Senior Policy Research Analyst and Media (ASEAN)
Email: rohini.nambiar@siiaonline.org | Mobile: (65) 8892 9489
Seraphim Cheong
Director, Outreach and Special Projects
Email: seraphim.cheong@siiaonline.org | Mobile: (65) 9824 8423
About the Singapore Institute of International Affairs
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Established in 1962, the Singapore Institute of International Affairs (SIIA) is a non-profit and independent think tank committed to producing policy analysis, fostering in-depth dialogues and bridging gaps between policymakers, private sector decision-makers and experts to shape public policy and social responses. Centred around ASEAN focused themes, the institute aims to deliver policy analysis in international affairs and on issues driving environmental sustainability. The SIIA has been consistently ranked as one of the leading think tanks in Southeast Asia and the Pacific, in the Global Go To Think Tank Index by the University of Pennsylvania. Since 2017, the SIIA was ranked the No. 1 independent think tank in Asia. It was also recognised as one of the top 50 think tanks globally, excluding the United States of America. For two consecutive years since 2019, it was recognised as the No. 1 think tank in South, Southeast Asia and Pacific (excluding India).
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