Timor-Leste to Participate in the 46th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits
Timor-Leste will participate as an observer in the 46th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit, to be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from May 23rd to 27th, 2025. The programme will also feature the 2nd ASEAN–Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit and the inaugural ASEAN–GCC–China Summit.
Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão will lead a high-level delegation, comprising the Vice Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister of Economic Affairs, Francisco Kalbuadi Lay; the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Bendito dos Santos Freitas; the Vice Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Adérito Hugo da Costa; the Vice Minister for ASEAN Affairs, Milena Rangel; the Vice Minister for Trade, Augusto Júnior Trindade; and the Secretary of State for Social Communication, Expedito Dias Ximenes. This strong delegation reflects Timor-Leste's continued commitment to enhancing regional cooperation and the ASEAN integration process.
During the summit, the Head of Government will join leaders from ASEAN member states, Gulf countries, and China in high-level discussions on key regional and global issues. In addition to participating in the summit's plenary sessions, the Prime Minister will also conduct bilateral meetings with counterparts from other Member States and attend related side events, aimed at deepening cooperation and enhancing regional ties.
The 46th ASEAN Summit provides a valuable platform for Timor-Leste to engage in discussions about pressing political, economic, and security issues affecting the region.
Ahead of the summit, a series of preparatory meetings will take place, including the ASEAN SOM-GCC-China Preparatory Meetings, the Meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives (CPR), the ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM), the Preparatory ASEAN Senior Economic Officials’ Meeting (Prep-SEOM), the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM), the 36th ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC) Meeting, the 29th ASEAN Political-Security Community Council Meeting, the 25th ASEAN Economic Community Council (AECC) Meeting, and the ASEAN–GCC Ministerial Meeting.
Timor-Leste expresses its sincere gratitude to ASEAN Member States for their continued support in achieving full membership, particularly in fulfilling the milestones outlined in the Roadmap for Timor-Leste's Full Membership in ASEAN. Timor-Leste reaffirms its commitment to fulfilling the obligations and criteria necessary for its future full integration into the regional bloc.
The Government of Timor-Leste extends its appreciation to Malaysia as the ASEAN Chair for 2025 under the theme of “Inclusiveness and Sustainability”, and wishes Malaysia a successful chairmanship, looking forward to collaboration on initiatives that promote inclusive and sustainable development in the region.
Lastly, Timor-Leste looks forward to actively participating in the summits and fostering meaningful cooperation with all partners in the spirit of regional solidarity and mutual benefit.
