Timor-Leste’s Future Leaders Concluded 10-Day Immersion to ASEAN Countries
As Timor-Leste prepares for its accession to the ASEAN, developing ASEAN-capable leaders for the future is a national priority. Recognizing this need, the Vice-Minister for ASEAN Affairs launched the Timor-Leste’s Futuru Líder ba ASEAN (FLBA) Program. This initiative aims to prepare leaders to work with ASEAN institutions and lead at a regional level.
A critical component of this program involved future leaders visiting ASEAN member states to build regional networks and communicate the strengths and potential of Timor-Leste. This outreach not only fosters diplomatic ties but also creates opportunities for economic, educational and people-to-people collaboration. 
As part of these preparatory efforts, the Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, dispatched delegations of 10-11 individuals to each ASEAN member state, namely Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
During their time in ASEAN countries, the delegation had the privilege of engaging with top government officials and leading institutions in the host country, supported by Timor-Leste’s embassies. These high-level discussions provided invaluable insights to Timorese leaders for future integration in the ASEAN region. The delegation learned firsthand how each member state has developed innovative strategies, strong institutions and robust economic development.
Delegates going to each country were assigned to write a full report during their 10-day immersion program and present their recommendations for collaboration this week. Through these strategic engagements and meetings, Timor-Leste’s next generation of leaders are establishing long-term relationships with ASEAN government institutions, private sector entities, and academic bodies.
For many participants in the FLBA programme, this was their first experience in an ASEAN country. These experiences are not only a significant learning opportunity for the delegation but also a crucial step in preparing Timor-Leste for its own development in Southeast Asia. By fostering these international relationships and gaining deep insights into regional best practices, Timor-Leste accelerating its preparation to be an active and valuable member of ASEAN.
