NATIONAL STATEMENT ON MYANMAR
Statement delivered by H.E. Mr James Larsen, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Australia to the United Nations
10 June 2025
Thank you, Vice-President, and thank you Special Envoy for your briefing. You are playing a vital role in sustaining international attention on the situation in Myanmar. This is a critical contribution to supporting coordinated efforts towards a peaceful resolution in the interests of the people of Myanmar.
In the four and a half years since the military overthrew the democratically elected government in Myanmar, the country has been thrown into a political, humanitarian and economic crisis, with serious implications for both the people of Myanmar and for regional peace and security.
Australia is deeply concerned by the military regime’s continued attacks on civilians, human rights violations, sexual and gender-based violence, and discrimination against minorities.
We reiterate our strong support for ASEAN’s central role in resolving this crisis. We continue to call on the regime to fulfil its commitments under the Five-Point Consensus and to engage meaningfully with ASEAN representatives including the ASEAN Chair’s Special Envoy.
Special Envoy, as you have said, the recent earthquake was devastating and has compounded an already dire humanitarian situation. Australia sent more than 100 pallets of humanitarian supplies to support affected communities and provided more than AUD9 million to international organisations and NGOs for immediate relief.
We are deeply concerned that the regime continues to break the ceasefire it declared after the earthquake to conduct military operations. These have included an airstrike on a school in Sagaing Region on 12 May killing innocent civilians.
As of late May 2025, over one-third of Myanmar’s population, 21.9 million people, is in need of humanitarian assistance to meet their basic needs, with up to 3.5 million people internally displaced. Rising transnational crime, including narcotics production and trafficking, online scam centres and human trafficking, harm the people of Myanmar and neighbouring countries.
In March, Australia committed $370 million over three years to address the rapidly escalating humanitarian crisis, including support for more than one million Rohingyas in Bangladesh.
We welcome all contributions to support the people of Myanmar, but as the situation worsens, we are conscious that only a small proportion of the humanitarian needs are being met.
We are deeply concerned about the situation in Rakhine State and the plight of Rohingya displaced people and refugees, many of whom now reside in neighbouring countries.
Australia is committed to international efforts to pursue accountability for any war crimes, human rights violations and abuses and other atrocities committed in Myanmar, including those committed against the Rohingyas and other ethnic groups.
We call on all States to prevent or halt the flow of arms, military and dual-use materials to the Myanmar military.
The current trajectory is not sustainable for Myanmar or the region. We call on the Myanmar military regime to immediately de-escalate violence, allow safe humanitarian access across the country, release those unjustly detained, and engage in genuine and inclusive dialogue with all stakeholders.
We will continue to stand in solidarity with the people of Myanmar and support their vision for an inclusive, peaceful and prosperous future.
Thank you.