Timor-Leste welcomes official visit from ASEAN Secretary General
Kao Kim Hourn, the Secretary General of ASEAN, will visit Timor-Leste from April 1st to 4th, 2024, upon the official invitation from the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Timor-Leste, Bendito dos Santos Freitas.
The ASEAN Secretariat, led by the Secretary General, promotes, coordinates, and monitors the implementation of the various ASEAN agendas through its community pillars.
This visit is of great importance, given the crucial role of the ASEAN Secretariat in supporting ASEAN Member States' assessment of Timor-Leste's readiness for ASEAN membership.
Secretary General Kao Kim Hourn's visit reaffirms the commitment of ASEAN Member States to support Timor-Leste's path towards full membership of ASEAN.
During the visit, Kao Kim Hourn will pay courtesy calls to the President of the Republic, José Ramos-Horta, the President of the National Parliament, Maria Fernanda Lay, and the Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão.
He will also deliver a speech at a session with Government members on Timor-Leste's accession to ASEAN. He will participate in the launching ceremony of the "Timor-Leste Future Leaders for ASEAN" programme. He will also meet with the Timor-Leste Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the ASEAN Resident Ambassadors.