Timor-Leste, represented by Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, took part in the 43rd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and related meetings, which took place in Jakarta, Indonesia, from September 5^th to 7^th. 

This summit signals the end of the rotating presidency of the Republic of Indonesia and its transition to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. For nine months, Indonesia has led the Association of Southeast Asian Nations under the theme “ASEAN Matters: Epicentre of Growth”.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo, in his closing speech, called for the transformation of the Indo-Pacific region into a “theatre of peace and inclusion” and encouraged ASEAN countries to “hand in hand, face challenges and turn them into opportunities, turn rivalries into collaborations, turn exclusivity into inclusivity and turn differences into unity.” 

The Prime Minister of Laos, Sonexay Siphandone, stated that “Laos will continue to promote the achievements that ASEAN made during the year Indonesia chaired it” and that during its chairmanship, “Laos will focus on promoting connectivity, seeking opportunities for cooperation and resolving challenges in an ever-changing global geopolitical context”.

The Lao Head of government also pledged to “cooperate to improve leadership capacity, strengthen unity, ensure peace, stability and development, promote digital transformation and economic integration and address climate change challenges”.

On the sidelines of the 43rd ASEAN summit, 12 conferences were held, including a plenary session, an informal meeting, and individual ASEAN summits with partners such as China, South Korea, Japan, the United States of America, Canada, India, Australia, the United Nations and East Asia and a joint summit with China, Japan and South Korea. 

The Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, attended both the plenary session and the related meetings.

In his speeches, the Head of Government assured “Timor-Leste’s support, as a potential full member, for the centrality and unity of ASEAN” and expressed “his deep appreciation for the unwavering support of all ASEAN member states and ASEAN partners for Timor-Leste’s full membership”.

The Prime Minister also reiterated that “Timor-Leste shares the values of all nations that respect and defend the principles of democracy and human rights, as well as international law, in its international relations”. 

The national delegation includes the Deputy Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs and Minister of the Environment, Francisco Kalbuadi Lay, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Bendito dos Santos Freitas, the Minister of Interior, Francisco da Costa Guterres, and the Vice Minister for ASEAN Affairs, Milena Maria da Costa Rangel.