Timor-Leste participates in meetings within the framework of the ASEAN Economic Community
On May 6th and 7th, 2026, Timor-Leste participated in three meetings under the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in Cebu, Philippines, as part of the 48th ASEAN Summit. The national delegation attended the Preparatory Senior Economic Officials Meeting (Prep-SEOM), the ASEAN Joint Foreign and Economic Ministers' (AMM-AEM) Meeting, and the 27th Meeting of the ASEAN Economic Community Council (AEC Council Meeting).
On May 6th, at the Prep-SEOM, Vice Minister of Trade and Industry Augusto Júnior Trindade, in his capacity as the national representative at the Senior Economic Officials’ Meeting (SEOM), joined his ASEAN counterparts to review the agenda and discussion topics for the ministerial meetings. Topics included the impacts of the situation in the Middle East, the economic priorities of the Philippine ASEAN Chairmanship for 2026, Timor-Leste’s post-accession integration process, progress on the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA), and preparations for the joint SOM-SEOM and AMM-AEM meetings.
On May 7th, during the AMM-AEM, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Bendito dos Santos Freitas, and the Vice Minister of Trade and Industry exchanged views with representatives of the organisation’s member states on regional and international developments, including the situation in the Middle East and its effects on regional stability, energy security, supply chains, and the global economy.
In his address, Minister Bendito dos Santos Freitas highlighted the importance of strengthening ASEAN’s collective resilience through greater regional coordination, energy connectivity, stronger supply chains, and institutional coherence across ASEAN's three pillars. The Minister also underscored the need to preserve open sea lanes, freedom of navigation, and a rules-based international order to support regional peace, economic confidence, and sustainable development.
Timor-Leste also reaffirmed its commitment to regional initiatives to strengthen energy and food security, including the development of renewable energy, resilient infrastructure, and regional emergency preparedness mechanisms.
On the same day, Vice Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister of Economic Affairs, Tourism, and the Environment, Francisco Kalbuadi Lay, attended the 27th ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Council Meeting, accompanied by Vice Minister Augusto Júnior Trindade.
This marked Timor-Leste’s first participation in an AEC Council meeting as a full ASEAN member, following its official accession to the organisation in October 2025.
In his remarks, Francisco Kalbuadi Lay addressed current global economic challenges, including geopolitical tensions, the lingering effects of the pandemic, supply chain disruptions, and the effects of climate change.
The Vice Prime Minister reaffirmed Timor-Leste’s commitment to an open, transparent, and rules-based regional economic order and identified four priority areas to strengthen regional resilience: energy security and diversification of energy sources; food security and resilient supply chains; deepening economic integration and digital transformation; and sustainable development through enhanced cooperation and information sharing.
In the energy sector, Timor-Leste has expressed its intention to gradually align the country with ASEAN’s key energy instruments, including possible accession to the ASEAN Oil Security Agreement and participation in regional energy interconnectivity initiatives.
The Vice Prime Minister also emphasised the importance of supporting micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, strengthening digital capabilities, and promoting more inclusive and resilient economic growth across the region.
ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn and representatives of the organisation’s member states attended the meetings.
