Timor-Leste participates in the 31st ASEAN Transport Ministers' Meeting, where the Transport Sector Plan 2026-2030 was approved
The Government of Timor-Leste took part in the 31st ASEAN Transport Ministers' Meeting, held on November 20th, 2025, in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar. The event was chaired by Myanmar's Prime Minister, U Nyo Saw, who opened the session. The meeting was also attended by ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn, transport ministers from member states, and representatives of dialogue partners. 
In his opening speech, Prime Minister U Nyo Saw highlighted that the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 is founded on strengthening regional integration and connectivity, which he considers essential for creating a more united, secure, prosperous, and people-focused community. He also underlined that this meeting signifies the conclusion of the Kuala Lumpur Transport Strategic Plan (2016-2025) and the start of a new phase with the ASEAN Transport Sector Plan for 2026-2030.
The ASEAN Secretary-General observed that the new Transport Sector Plan 2026-2030 will steer regional efforts towards creating a more sustainable, resilient, and interconnected transport sector. It will support the implementation of the ASEAN Economic Community Strategic Plan 2026-2030 and help achieve the ASEAN Vision 2045. He also emphasised the importance of ongoing collaboration between Member States and dialogue partners, ensuring that the transport sector remains a vital driver of regional integration and sustainable growth.
This was Timor-Leste's first participation in this meeting as an ASEAN Member State, following its full accession on October 26th, 2025. Until then, Timor-Leste had only participated as an observer
Leading the Timorese delegation was Miguel Marques Gonçalves Manetelu, Minister of Transport and Communications, alongside officials from the Ministry of Transport and Communications and representatives from industry organisations.
Speaking to RTTL after the meeting, Minister Manetelu emphasised that Member States had approved two key documents that will bring tangible benefits to Timor-Leste: the ASEAN Transport Sector Plan 2026-2030 and a set of documents related to cooperation with development partners, including Japan, Korea, and China.
The Minister highlighted that approving this plan will enable Timor-Leste to access technical training, capacity-building programmes, and support offered by the ASEAN Secretariat, stating that “as a new member, we hope to benefit from the sectoral plans approved today and the programmes of ASEAN development partners. These documents offer a vital opportunity to showcase our needs and to welcome support for training and priority projects in the transport sector.
Miguel Manetelu also called for collaboration from all national entities—political, technical, and private sector—to strengthen and modernise the transport sector in Timor-Leste. According to the Minister, “the Government cannot do everything alone. To develop public transport and the aviation, maritime, and land sectors, it is essential that the private sector also participate actively, contributing to moving the transport sector forward.”
The minister highlighted that, as a new ASEAN member state, Timor-Leste is now starting on a path of increased integration and development in the transport sector, taking advantage of regional cooperation opportunities and existing support mechanisms.
