Interview with the United Nations Special Envoy on Myanmar Julie Bishop

Yangon, Myanmar – During her visit to Myanmar, the United Nations Special Envoy on Myanmar Julie Bishop reflects on nearly a year of intensive engagement with a broad range of stakeholders to help address Myanmar’s protracted crisis. She describes the situation on the ground as heartbreaking, with communities showing remarkable resilience amid devastation. The Special Envoy emphasizes the urgent need for a ceasefire to enable humanitarian response and recovery, underscores the international community’s responsibility to keep Myanmar on the global agenda and provide sustained support. ASEAN remains a key partner in her mandate, with ongoing collaboration to find inclusive, regional solutions. 

Almost a year ago, the Secretary General announced your appointment as Special Envoy of Myanmar. Can you share what this experience has been like for you so far since your appointment? 

I have engaged with all the stakeholders, all the voices of Myanmar, to try and find a way through the challenges the people of Myanmar currently face. The conflict is longstanding, it is complicated, it is multi-layered, and there are many countries with an interest in helping Myanmar. So I have engaged with the Security Council members, and other members of the United Nations, the ASEAN countries, the Southeast Asian neighbours and other neighbours, as well as NGOs and Civil Society Organizations to try and find a pathway to a sustainable and peaceful solution for the people of Myanmar. It will need to be Myanmar-led and all-inclusive so that we can have a sustainable peace. 

What were your impressions from the visit today and how are the affected communities coping? 

The sheer scale of the devastation was heartbreaking. There are so many people who have lost everything. The number of fatalities is increasing, the number of injured is increasing, and the level of damage and destruction is still being assessed. I was particularly struck by those who have lost their homes but are determined to rebuild amid the rubble. They were talking positively about gathering up bricks and wood and starting to rebuild as their spirit has not been diminished.

How can the international community support long-term recovery for the people of Myanmar? 

We need to continue to urge for a ceasefire, to stop the killing, stop the conflict so that the humanitarian workers, the search and rescue workers and those who are helping with the rebuild and the reconstruction of Myanmar have the space to operate safely and securely. And the people of Myanmar want peace. The international community must continue to use its influence to ensure that their ambitions are upheld. 

As Myanmar’s crisis continues with no end in sight, many feel the world is looking away. As a Special Envoy, how do you view your role in ensuring the country's plight remains on the international agenda?

It is part of my role to maintain global focus on the conflict and challenges in Myanmar, and now with this devastating earthquake compounding the challenges the people of Myanmar already faced, this conflict, these dire circumstances cannot be forgotten. We owe it to the people of Myanmar to continue to focus on their needs and their future.

What message do you have, firstly, for the people of Myanmar and secondly, to the international community? 

The people of Myanmar must not give up hope. Despite the challenges, they must continue to hope for a better life and do all they can to help stop the fighting, stop the conflict and focus on ensuring that they're building towards a peaceful future. They are united in grief, they need to unite in peace. 

The international community has a significant role to play in supporting additional funding, in providing assistance during this particular time of need but also using their influence to ensure that all of the stakeholders, all of the actors in this conflict put down their arms and focus their efforts on restoring the shattered lives of the people of Myanmar.

Can you speak about ASEAN’s role and what does corporation mean for you? 

It is part of my mandate to cooperate and collaborate with the ASEAN countries as Myanmar is a member of ASEAN. I have been working closely with the ASEAN Special Envoy from Malaysia, as Malaysia is the chair of ASEAN for 2025. I have visited the ASEAN chairs that rotate each year, and I have met with the Special Envoys, past and present. I'm working very closely with ASEAN to ensure that we can find a way to support the Myanmar people throughout this crisis.