Timor-Leste Strengthens Regional Partnerships at Meetings Related to the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits
Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão attended the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits, held in Vientiane, Laos, from October 9th to 11th, 2024. During the Plenary Session, Xanana Gusmão called on ASEAN to set an international example of cooperation, unity and trust. “We are living through difficult times in international relations”, he said, stressing the importance of promoting dialogue and solidarity to confront growing global tensions. The Prime Minister emphasised ASEAN's role as a regional integration model and praised member states' continued support in Timor-Leste's accession process. 
Alongside the Plenary Session, the Prime Minister participated in several high-level meetings with leaders of ASEAN countries and strategic partners. The Timorese delegation included the Vice Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister of Economic Affairs, Francisco Kalbuadi Lay, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Bendito dos Santos Freitas, among other government members. 
At the 19th East Asia Summit (EAS) Forum, held on October 11th, 2024, Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão praised “ASEAN for promoting dialogue and cooperation on strategic, political and economic issues of common interest in East Asia” and underlined Timor-Leste's commitment to “contribute to regional initiatives focused on promoting peace and development”. “Without peace, there can be no development”, he said, referring to the growing geopolitical conflicts and tensions. Xanana Gusmão also called for respect for international law and stressed the importance of inclusive dialogue on the issues of Myanmar, the South China Sea and the Korean Peninsula. 
Also on October 11th, the Prime Minister participated in the 14th ASEAN-UN Summit, which promoted ASEAN's resilience and connectivity. The event was attended by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, and leaders from ASEAN and other nations. On the occasion, Xanana Gusmão reaffirmed Timor-Leste's commitment to regional integration and collaboration to face global challenges. 
On October 10th, 2024, during the 21st ASEAN-India Summit, Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão praised the strong partnership between ASEAN and India. He emphasised the positive impact of the President of India's historic visit to Timor-Leste and reinforced India's role as a defender of the interests of the Global South. The Head of Government also emphasised the importance of the “collaborative spirit of the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” “to promote regional stability and prosperity”. 
At the Special ASEAN-Canada Summit on Connectivity and Resilience, held on the same day, Timor-Leste, represented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, praised “the efforts of ASEAN and Canada to promote a robust strategic partnership, aiming for mutually beneficial collaboration and the deepening of cooperation under the three pillars of ASEAN”. 
Also on October 10th, at the 4th ASEAN-Australia Summit, the Prime Minister reinforced the importance of the historical ties between Timor-Leste and Australia, which he described as “an important development partner”. He recognised “the significant progress made in strengthening the ASEAN-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which will help improve cooperation in trade, investment, the digital economy and public health”. Xanana Gusmão also praised “Australia's financial commitment to addressing regional challenges and promoting sustainable development, trade and investment, and food security”. 
During the 25th ASEAN-South Korea Summit, Xanana Gusmão highlighted the “bilateral relations between Timor-Leste and Korea”, describing them as “robust and mutually beneficial”. The Prime Minister emphasised that “since independence”, Timor-Leste has “benefited from multiple projects supported by the Republic of Korea in areas such as education, health, gender equality and capacity building, all of which are essential for preparing [Timor-Leste] for full membership of ASEAN”. He also expressed his gratitude “for the employment opportunities provided to approximately one thousand Timorese workers sent to Korea each year, contributing significantly to our socio-economic development and strengthening the cultural ties between our nations”. 
At the 27th ASEAN-China Summit, the Prime Minister emphasised the long relationship of friendship between Timor-Leste and China, which “was the first country to establish diplomatic ties after [Timor-Leste's] independence in 2002”. He referred to the “comprehensive strategic partnership”, agreed “in September last year”, which “aims to promote economic growth and diversification through increased trade and investment, helping to build a robust and resilient economy”. Xanana Gusmão expressed Timor-Leste's support “for ASEAN's efforts to strengthen ties with China through constructive engagement, mutual respect and cooperation” and declared that “in this time of war everywhere, we must ensure that Asia is a house of peace”. 
On the same day, Xanana Gusmão took part in the ASEAN-Japan Summit, highlighting the close cooperation between Japan and Timor-Leste in various areas, “such as infrastructure development, economic diversification, social services and capacity building”. The Prime Minister expressed his desire to “deepen the bilateral relationship with Japan, as well as strengthen collaboration within the framework of the ASEAN-Japan partnership to support friendship and regional cooperation”. 
At the ASEAN Plus Three (APT) Summit, also held on October 10th, which included China, Japan and Korea, Xanana Gusmão expressed Timor-Leste's support for “ASEAN's Vision for the Indo-Pacific as a framework for shaping the region's economic and security architecture”. He stressed the importance of “continued peaceful dialogue between all parties involved to achieve peace and stability on a denuclearised Korean Peninsula, following the relevant UN Security Council resolutions”. He also expressed Timor-Leste's willingness to “continue involvement and cooperation in collective efforts to promote regional peace, stability and prosperity”. 
On October 9th, Xanana Gusmão took part in the ASEAN Leaders' Retreat Session, where the leaders mainly discussed the situation in Myanmar. The 2022 ASEAN Five-Point Consensus on Myanmar was reinforced as an essential step towards restoring peace and stability in the country. Humanitarian assistance to the affected population was also a central theme of the discussions.
Also on October 9th, Xanana Gusmão, in a statement delivered by the Vice Prime Minister, Francisco Kalbuadi Lay, at the ASEAN Business Advisory Council Forum, underlined that “on the road to membership, [Timor-Leste is] working to align [its] national priorities with the vision of the ASEAN Economic Community”. He also emphasised the importance of “a strong private sector” to “establish jobs for our people and provide hope for a more prosperous future”. The statement also emphasised the importance of attracting foreign investment and strengthening regional partnerships in areas of strategic potential and “with strong growth potential” in the country, such as “tourism, agriculture and oil”. He also expressed confidence “that the ASEAN Business Advisory Council can also play a role in supporting Timor-Leste's economic development and integration into the regional economy”. 
Also on October 9th, the Prime Minister took part in the Meeting between ASEAN Leaders and Representatives of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), where he praised the Assembly's work in “helping to harmonise and strengthen legislative frameworks to align them with ASEAN standards and practices”. The Prime Minister also pointed out that by participating in AIPA activities, Timor-Leste “has gained knowledge and learnt good practices that will further strengthen our legislative processes and governance structures”. Lastly, he reaffirmed Timor-Leste's commitment to “completing the internal processes to join the priority agreements in the three pillars of the ASEAN Community by next year”, emphasising the desire to continue collaborating with ASEAN Members of Parliament and development partners on the path to full membership. 
On the same day, the Prime Minister was represented by the Vice Prime Minister, Francisco Kalbuadi Lay, at the Meeting between ASEAN Leaders and ASEAN Youth, where he emphasised the importance of the role of young people in national and regional development. “Young people are our nation's future, “ said Kalbuadi Lay, highlighting the need to invest in youth to face global challenges. 
On October 10th, the Prime Minister also attended a friendship dinner hosted by the Prime Minister of Laos, Sonexay SIPHANDONE, for ASEAN leaders. 
During the closing ceremony of the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits, the Prime Minister of Laos, Sonexay Siphandone, officially handed over the rotating chairmanship of ASEAN for 2025 to the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim. This transition marks the beginning of a new leadership cycle for Malaysia, which will be responsible for prioritising and coordinating ASEAN initiatives over the next year.
Read the speeches of the Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, on the Government Portal via the following link:
Prime Minister's Speeches: https://timor-leste.gov.tl/?cat=27&page=1&lang=en
