In Bangkok, concerns have arisen as activist groups urge the United Nations (U.N.) to launch an inquiry into its special envoy to Myanmar. Allegations have emerged about possible conflicts of interest involving her consulting firm’s purported connections to Chinese-backed mining and construction projects in Myanmar.
The advocacy group, Justice for Myanmar, reached out to U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres after a report from Australia’s The Saturday Paper claimed that Julie Bishop, the envoy in question, possessed ties to Chinese state-owned enterprises operating in Myanmar. The groups are now collectively calling for a comprehensive investigation.
Julie Bishop, formerly Australia’s foreign minister and now serving as the Chancellor of the Australian National University, has remained silent on these allegations. Additionally, her consulting company has not responded to inquiries regarding the connections.
Myanmar is currently embroiled in a civil conflict, where the military government, which assumed power by toppling the democratically elected Aung San Suu Kyi in 2021, faces opposition from pro-democracy forces. China, being a notable supplier of arms to Myanmar’s military, plays a significant role in the nation’s dynamics. Chinese-managed mining and construction undertakings also contribute substantially to the military regime’s finances.
Justice for Myanmar highlights the potential conflict of interest stemming from Bishop’s affiliations with companies having stakes in Myanmar, which they believe “merit thorough examination.” In their communication to Guterres, they underscored the risk of eroding trust in Myanmar’s civil society, which poses complications given the special envoy’s necessity to engage with civil organizations and other pertinent parties.
When contacted by The Australian, Bishop’s consulting firm asserted that they provide “strategic analysis and guidance” without assuming fiduciary or executive responsibilities. According to them, potential conflicts of interest are duly declared and evaluated.
Guterres’ office confirmed receiving the letter from Justice for Myanmar but refrained from providing further comments. Similarly, the Australian Foreign Ministry and the Australian National University, which clarified that Bishop’s chancellorship is a non-executive, part-time role, were unavailable for immediate remarks. The university stated that chancellors are typically permitted to have external interests, provided they don’t interfere with the university’s mandates.
Appointed by Guterres as Myanmar’s envoy in April, Bishop’s consulting firm was reportedly engaged by the Melbourne-based Energy Transition Minerals, serving as a strategic advisor on a Greenland-centered mining project. This specific project is underpinned by significant Chinese investment from Shenghe Resources, a company with deep ties to China’s Communist Party.
The Energy Transition Minerals firm finds itself embroiled in a legal battle with Greenland and Denmark, seeking substantial compensation owing to Greenland’s cessation of uranium mining, which affected their previously initiated project following the ban in 2021.
Shenghe Resources is known as a partly state-owned enterprise specializing in rare earth minerals, and Justice for Myanmar implicates them in sourcing significant quantities of these materials from Myanmar, a major heavy rare earths supplier to China. The group’s concerns extend to another of Bishop’s partners, China Communications Construction Company, noted for its activities within Myanmar.
Furthermore, Bishop reportedly maintains business connections with Australian firms engaged in past and present mining and energy endeavors in Myanmar, as flagged by Justice for Myanmar. The group has implored Guterres to scrutinize Bishop’s business endeavors, consider the validity of her ongoing U.N. role, and reveal the findings of any ensuing investigations.
