Timor-Leste Takes Part in the 5th ASEAN-UK Senior Officials' Meeting
Vice Minister for ASEAN Affairs Milena Rangel attended the 5th ASEAN-UK Senior Officials’ Meeting (AUKSOM), held on March 31st, at Wilton Park in the United Kingdom, followed by a series of commemorative events marking the fifth anniversary of the UK-ASEAN Dialogue Partnership. 
The meeting brought together senior officials from ASEAN member states and the United Kingdom, who reviewed progress on the ASEAN–UK Dialogue Partnership and set priorities for future cooperation. An assessment was made of the implementation of the ASEAN–UK Action Plan 2022–2026, and priority areas were identified across the three pillars of the ASEAN Community in preparation for the next Action Plan, including maritime security and cybersecurity, the digital economy, energy transition, education, health, and climate change.
To mark the fifth anniversary of the ASEAN–UK Dialogue Partnership, the 5th AUKSOM featured a comprehensive programme, including a showcase of cultural and creative collaboration between ASEAN and the UK, as well as “Track 1.5” dialogue sessions on geoeconomics and multilateralism, maritime cooperation, the governance of artificial intelligence, and a discussion with ASEAN Chevening scholars on the future of relations between the two sides.
On the sidelines of the April 1st meeting, the Vice Minister met with Seema Malhotra, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Equality and the Indo-Pacific, to discuss developments in Southeast Asia and the international situation.
On March 29th, in London, the minister attended a dinner hosted by the ASEAN-UK Business Forum and a business liaison organisation with Malaysia, accompanied by the Ambassador of Timor-Leste to the United Kingdom and the delegation. At that event, Timor-Leste’s priorities following its accession to ASEAN were presented, with a focus on sustainable and inclusive growth and on promoting an investment-friendly environment.
