DILI, 09 May 2025 (TATOLI) – The Secretary of State for Social Communication (SEKOMS-Tetun), Expedito Dias Ximenes, conveyed the warm greetings of Timor-Leste’s President José Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão to His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam, following the 17th Conference of ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Information (17th AMRI), in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam.
In a meeting held at the residence of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah with ASEAN Information Ministers, following the 17th AMRI, Ximenes, on behalf of the Government, expressed Timor-Leste’s deepest gratitude for Brunei’s commitment and continued support for Timor-Leste’s bid for full ASEAN membership.
During the 17th Conference of ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Information (AMRI) and Related Meetings 2025, Ximenes expressed Timor-Leste’s appreciation for the opportunity to participate as an observer in both the AMRI and SOMRI meetings.
Under the theme “MAJU – Media Advancing Joint Understanding: Transforming Media’s Role in Advancing Cooperation and Mutual Understanding in ASEAN, the Meeting reaffirmed AMRI’s commitment towards promoting regional solidarity.
The Meeting discussed strategic actions for the long-term transformation of ASEAN’s cooperation in the media and information sectors, as well as addressing contemporary global challenges and building upon AMRI’s achievements.
Ximenes commended the importance of discussions on key issues such as strategic developments in media and information, the challenge of disinformation, the promotion of digital inclusivity, and the potential of artificial intelligence in the information sector.
He reaffirmed Timor-Leste’s strong commitment to media development, the promotion of press freedom, and regional cooperation within the ASEAN framework. He reiterated the Government of Timor-Leste’s priority in strengthening national media systems as part of its broader efforts to integrate into ASEAN.
Ximenes was accompanied by the Director General of SECOMS and Senior Official for the SOMRI, Mr. Florindo da Costa; Gregorio Jong da Maia, Desk Officer for Youth, Sport, Media, and Information at the Directorate General of ASEAN Affairs; and Domingas Araújo, Chief of Department and Protocol Assistant at SECOMS.
The 17th Conference of ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Information (17th AMRI), the 22nd Meeting of the Senior Officials Responsible for Information (22nd SOMRI), and related meetings were held from 4 to 9 May 2025 in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam.
TATOLI
