Statement on the 6th BIMSTEC Summit

1. 1. The National Unity Government (NUG) strongly condemns the inclusion of terrorist junta leader Min Aung Hlaing, a perpetrator of grave human rights violations and war crimes, at the 6th Summit of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), held from 3 to 4 April 2025, in Bangkok, Thailand. His participation undermines the principles of justice and human dignity, given the immense suffering he has inflicted on the people of Myanmar.
   2. Since the attempted coup on February 1, 2021, the junta under Min Aung Hlaing has waged a campaign of terror with impunity, committing crimes against humanity. Their systematic attacks on civilians, including daily airstrikes, mass killings, arson, and the destruction of schools, hospitals, and places of worship, have displaced millions, forcing countless individuals to seek refuge both within Myanmar and beyond its borders.
   3. Amid this ongoing crisis, Myanmar has recently endured a catastrophic 7.7-magnitude earthquake, resulting in thousands of deaths, injuries, and widespread displacement. Despite this humanitarian disaster, the junta has obstructed aid, disrupted communication networks, and continued military operations—violating even its own declared 20-day ceasefire. These actions have severely hampered rescue and relief efforts, exacerbating the suffering of the people.
   4. The BIMSTEC Charter mandates that the Summit include Heads of State or Government who genuinely represent and serve the interests of their people. The junta does not meet this criterion and lacks any legitimacy to represent Myanmar in BIMSTEC meetings or any of its related activities. The National Unity Government has formally appealed to the BIMSTEC Secretariat and member states to uphold the Charter’s principles and refrain from extending invitations to the junta.
   5. Allowing the junta leader and his representatives to participate in regional and international forums risks legitimizing an illegal regime that has consistently failed its people. The junta’s incompetence was starkly evident during the recent earthquake, where its failure to respond effectively led to unnecessary loss of life. Continued engagement with the military junta will only embolden its violent oppression and worsen Myanmar’s humanitarian crisis.
   6. The National Unity Government urges the BIMSTEC Secretariat and member states to immediately revoke the military junta’s participation in the summit and related meetings. Instead, BIMSTEC should recognize and invite the National Unity Government of Myanmar, the legitimate body that defends, upholds, and represents the aspirations and interests of the Myanmar people.

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