Government of Timor-Leste

The Government of Timor-Leste reiterated its strong commitment to the ASEAN-New Zealand Strategic Partnership during its participation in the 31st ASEAN and New Zealand dialogue, held on April 18^th and 19^th, 2024, in Wellington. The Timorese delegation, led by the Director-General for ASEAN Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Elisa da Silva, attended the event as an observer country. 

Various issues were addressed during the dialogue, from peace and security to trade and economic cooperation, education, the green and digital economy, environmental protection, and sustainable and inclusive development. 

In its general statement, Timor-Leste expressed its strong commitment to continue implementing the Action Plan and expressed its sincere appreciation to all ASEAN Member States, the ASEAN Secretariat, and the Government of New Zealand for their continued support of Timor-Leste’s membership in ASEAN. 

The meeting also witnessed the mutual recognition of the commitment between ASEAN and New Zealand to energise the strategic partnership by exploring new areas of cooperation, such as cyber security, trade, investment, and the digital economy, among other topics of common interest.

Both sides agreed to strengthen the effective implementation of the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement while looking forward to concrete activities to deepen practical cooperation, especially within the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) framework.

Given that 2025 marks the 50thanniversary of ASEAN-New Zealand Dialogue Relations, both sides agreed to explore initiatives and activities to commemorate this milestone and further deepen cooperation. New Zealand also expressed its intention to call for establishing a comprehensive strategic partnership with ASEAN in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of relations.