DILI, 08 july 2022 (TATOLI) – Fact-Finding Mission delegation from the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Pillar (ASCC) made a field visit to the Secretary of State for Youth and Sports (SoSYS) to evaluate Timor-Leste’s technical readiness to join the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
State Secretary for Youth and Sports, Abrao Saldanha said, SoSYS through the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (MoEYS) had filled out the ASEAN registration form a few years ago, saying, therefore, their presence here will evaluate all the Timor-Leste in all aspects require to be the ASEAN Members.
“Their presence in ASEAN in SSYS is to evaluate various aspects including institutional aspects, legal framework, and development of legislation on youth and sports in Timor – Leste,” State Secretary for Youth and Sports, Abrao Saldanha told TATOLI at the SSYS Lecidere, Dili on Thursday (07/07).
Nokosiku said “SSYS had introduced TL’s achievements, particularly at SSYS, including hosting the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP) conference held in Dili Timor-Leste, Participating in multi-international events, including the Sea Games, as well as various activities for Timor-Leste’s youth in ASEAN,”
“In addition, SSYS also explained the progress of achievements that have been developed in terms of Legislation Public Policy, National Sports Policy, National Youth Council, and Sports Infrastructure development such as 3 international standard stadiums, volleyball courts, and other physical sports are continuously being developed by SSYS in Timor Leste,” Nokosiku added.
However, according to the explanation from Nokosiku, the SoSYS also share with the SSYS the problems faced by SSYS regarding the lack of human resources, knowledge transfer, and technology transfer to support the revision of the National Youth and Sports Policy strategy to be in line with the ASEAN vision.
“The FFM-ASCC delegation appreciated all the achievements and challenges that we presented to them, and they promised to be discussed in the next ASEAN Summit for consideration,” he concluded.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, was established on 8 August 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand, with the signing of the ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration) by the Founding Fathers of ASEAN, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. Brunei Darussalam then joined on 7 January 1984, Viet Nam on 28 July 1995, Lao PDR and Myanmar on 23 July 1997, and Cambodia on 30 April 1999, making up what is today the ten Member States of ASEAN.
The objective of ASEAN is to accelerate economic growth, social progress, and cultural development in the region to strengthen the foundation for a prosperous and peaceful community of Southeast Asian nations. To promote regional peace and stability through abiding respect for justice and the rule of law in the relationship among countries in the region.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor : Nelia B
