Myanmar’s junta leader, Min Aung Hlaing, is expected to travel to Bangkok for a regional summit, as the death toll from a devastating earthquake in his country exceeds 3,000.

The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) summit will bring together leaders from seven nations in the region.

Min Aung Hlaing is set to discuss the response to the 7.7-magnitude earthquake, which struck Myanmar on March 28, toppling buildings and causing widespread destruction.

International aid and rescue teams have been deployed to Myanmar, but relief efforts have been hindered by damaged infrastructure, disrupted communications, and the country’s ongoing civil conflict.

Myanmar has been embroiled in a brutal, multi-sided conflict since 2021, following the military coup that ousted the civilian government of Aung San Suu Kyi.

Despite sporadic clashes continuing in the aftermath of the earthquake, the junta and its opponents have agreed to a temporary ceasefire to facilitate humanitarian relief.

The BIMSTEC summit is expected to focus on coordinating aid efforts and addressing the broader challenges facing the region.