The Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, accompanied by a Ministerial delegation, will travel to Singapore at the invitation of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore, Lawrence Wong, to undertake an official visit from 14 to 15 July 2025.
The official visit will mark 23 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations. It will also be Prime Minister’s Gusmão’s first official visit to an ASEAN member state since the unanimous agreement made at the 46th ASEAN Heads of State and Government Summit in Kuala Lumpur in May on Timor-Leste’s accession into this regional body, scheduled to take place in October 2025. The official visit will also serve to strengthen bilateral relations and enhance cooperation between Singapore and Timor-Leste.
The official visit will begin on Monday, 14 July, with a Welcome Ceremony at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, followed by a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of Singapore, Lawrence Wong. The Prime Minister and delegation will then attend an official luncheon hosted by Prime Minister Wong who also serves as Singapore’s Minister for Finance.
Prime Minister Gusmão will then pay a courtesy call on the President of Singapore, His Excellency Tharman Shanmugaratnam, at the Presidential Istana Villa (Palace).
The delegation will then visit the Singapore Oceanarium at Resorts World Sentosa to learn more about Singapore’s approaches to marine education, research and institutional development – knowledge that will support Timor-Leste’s intention to establish a Marine Education and Research Centre on Ataúro Island.
On the second day of the official visit, Tuesday 15 July, the Prime Minister and his delegation will tour the Cora Environmental Energy-from-Waste Plant on Jurong Island. As Timor-Leste develops, it will have to address the challenges associated with increasing waste and how it can be sustainably managed. This visit will offer valuable insights into how Singapore has found innovative solutions to address its waste and turn it into energy solutions.
The official delegation will then visit the Gardens by the Bay where Prime Minister Gusmão will plant a sandalwood tree. Timor-Leste will gift 60 sandalwood saplings to the Government of Singapore in honour of their 60th Independence anniversary.
In the afternoon, Prime Minister Gusmão will deliver a Distinguished Public Lecture at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), titled “Timor-Leste and ASEAN: A New Chapter in the Region’s Story.” This marks his return to the prestigious institution, where he last delivered an address in 2013.
The Prime Minister will also visit Singapore’s Housing and Development Board to gain insights into the country’s public housing policies, financing models for public housing, and social urban planning. Lessons drawn from Singapore’s successful public housing model will contribute to Timor-Leste’s ongoing efforts to develop quality and affordable housing for the Timorese people.
The Prime Minister will be accompanied by senior members of his Cabinet, including the Vice-Prime Minister who also serves as Minister Coordinator for Economic Affairs and Minister for Tourism and Environment, Francisco Kalbuadi Lay; the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Bendito dos Santos Freitas; the Vice-Minister for ASEAN Affairs, Milena Maria da Costa Rangel; and the Secretary of State for Social Communication, Expedito Dias Ximenes.
The delegation is scheduled to depart Singapore on Wednesday, 16 July.