Minister of Foreign Affairs Elected First Vice-Chair of ESCAP and Chairs the General Debate in Bangkok
Bendito dos Santos Freitas, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, was elected First Vice-Chair of the 82nd Session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and chaired the General Debate on Agenda Item 2 on April 20th, 2026, in Bangkok, Thailand. 
The election took place during the opening session and reflects recognition of Timor-Leste’s participation in regional and multilateral cooperation across Asia and the Pacific. Fulfilling these duties strengthens the country’s presence within the United Nations system, in line with its priorities as a member of the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) groups.
While chairing the General Debate on the theme “Opportunities and Solutions for a Sustainable Future,” the Minister moderated presentations from ministers, senior officials, and development partners on inclusive development, economic resilience, and regional cooperation. The discussions covered economic transformation, social inclusion, climate resilience, and the need for coordinated responses to current global uncertainties.
In his national statement, delivered under Agenda Item 4, which focuses on Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs), and Small Island Developing States, the Minister highlighted the international context, marked by simultaneous challenges, including economic instability, food insecurity, debt pressures, and the impacts of climate change, with the most severe effects felt in the most vulnerable countries.
The head of national diplomacy reaffirmed Timor-Leste’s commitment to the Doha Action Agenda as a guiding framework for strengthening resilience, productive capacity, and sustainable transition pathways. He identified the structural transformation of the economy, the strengthening of institutional capacity, and the development of partnerships aligned with national priorities as key priorities.
As Chair of the Least Developed Countries Group on Climate Change for the 2026–2027 term, Bendito Freitas emphasised the need to strengthen collective action on climate justice, adaptation financing, and mechanisms to address loss and damage, and highlighted the role of climate diplomacy in Timor-Leste’s foreign policy.
During the high-level debate on the theme “Leaving No One Behind: Promoting an Age-Friendly Society in Asia and the Pacific,” the minister participated as a speaker, discussing Timor-Leste’s development trajectory, marked by structural challenges and opportunities arising from its young population, strategic location, and regional integration. He cited investment in human capital, institutional strengthening, economic diversification, and international cooperation as priorities.
On the sidelines of the session, Minister Bendito Freitas met with the United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ESCAP, Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana. The two sides discussed strengthening cooperation in areas such as economic transformation, social inclusion, climate resilience, and support for evidence-based public policy formulation. It was agreed that technical contacts would be established to follow up on the identified areas of cooperation.
The Minister was accompanied by the Ambassador of Timor-Leste to the Kingdom of Thailand and the Permanent Representative to ESCAP, Francisco Tilman Cepeda, as well as by the national delegation. The g7+ also participated in the session, represented by its Secretary-General, Helder da Costa.
Timor-Leste’s participation in the 82nd Session of ESCAP continues until April 24th at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok.
Following the ESCAP meeting, the Minister will participate in the 25th ASEAN–European Union Ministerial Meeting on April 27th and 28th, in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, as part of the strategic partnership between the two regions. From May 3rd to 5th, he will accompany Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão on an official visit to Brunei Darussalam, and from May 7th to 9th, he will be part of the national delegation at the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, Philippines.
