On April 16th, 2026, the Government held the third high-level coordination meeting of the ASEAN Chairmanship National Organising Council (ACNOC) for Timor-Leste in 2029, as part of national preparations to assume leadership of the regional organisation in 2029. 
The meeting was chaired by Vice Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister of Economic Affairs Francisco Kalbuadi Lay and attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Bendito dos Santos Freitas, in his capacity as Chair of the ACNOC Executive Committee, along with other members of the Government and representatives of public agencies.
The purpose of the meeting was to strengthen coordination among the entities involved in preparing for the ASEAN Chairmanship and to take stock of the work underway under the national coordination mechanism.
During the meeting, Minister Bendito dos Santos Freitas emphasised that the ASEAN Chairmanship is a national strategic priority requiring institutional discipline, operational readiness, and effective coordination across the entire Government. He noted that the ACNOC was established by a Government Resolution approved by the Council of Ministers as the central body responsible for the strategic direction, coordination, and supervision of activities related to this process.
The head of the country’s diplomatic service also highlighted the roles of the ACNOC Executive Committee and the National ASEAN Secretariat in operational management, implementation of decisions, and execution of the approved work plan.
During the proceedings, the need to strengthen inter-ministerial coordination was also emphasised, and it was recommended that focal points be designated within the relevant ministries, in line with their respective areas of responsibility, to ensure the necessary technical preparation.
Vice Prime Minister Francisco Kalbuadi Lay emphasised the importance of this process for Timor-Leste’s standing in the regional context. It reiterated the need for effective and timely coordination among all the institutions involved.
Vice Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Social Affairs Mariano Assanami Sabino, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Jesuína Gomes, and Vice Minister for ASEAN Affairs Milena Rangel, together with other members of the Government and representatives of public agencies, also attended the meeting.