Government of Timor-Leste

The Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Agio Pereira, received, today, September 8^th, 2026, at the Government Palace, the new Representative of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Timor-Leste, Artur Andrysiak, for a courtesy meeting focused on national development priorities and areas of cooperation between the Government and the ADB.

During the meeting, Minister Agio Pereira highlighted economic diversification as a priority of the 9th Constitutional Government and addressed the challenges of Timor-Leste’s full integration into ASEAN and the country’s preparations to assume the Chairmanship of the regional organisation in 2029.

In this context, discussions addressed the need to ensure the timely completion of works at Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport and to strengthen the conditions required to host the scheduled meetings and delegations during the ASEAN Chairmanship. Other development priorities were also examined, including connectivity and infrastructure, the development of the South Coast and Greater Sunrise, and education and vocational training.

Artur Andrysiak reiterated the ADB’s readiness to continue supporting Timor-Leste’s priorities through technical and financial assistance, particularly in infrastructure and transport, economic diversification, education, health, and preparations for the ASEAN Chairmanship.

The meeting also provided an opportunity to review ongoing ADB-supported projects across various areas, namely economic recovery, climate resilience, infrastructure and basic services, connectivity, and economic diversification.

At the end of the meeting, both parties expressed their intention to maintain close coordination to identify priority areas for cooperation between the Government and the Asian Development Bank.