Timor-Leste Reaffirms Commitment to ASEAN Values at 58th Anniversary Celebration
DILI, 08 August 2025 (TATOLI) – Timor-Leste reaffirmed its strong commitment to the values of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) during an official ceremony marking the bloc’s 58th anniversary under the theme: “Towards an Inclusive and Sustainable ASEAN Future.”
Speaking at the event held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation in Dili, President José Ramos-Horta highlighted the “significant progress” Timor-Leste has made over the past two decades and restated the country’s commitment to ASEAN’s values and goals.
He said Timor-Leste’s integration into ASEAN comes at a time of positive transformation, recalling the difficult post-independence years and noting “considerable advances” in health, education, energy, and connectivity.
Ramos-Horta stressed that Timor-Leste joins ASEAN with a sense of responsibility and a clear ambition to contribute to regional stability and development. He expressed gratitude to ASEAN leaders for their support since the formal accession process began at the 2011 Bali Summit.
He also underlined the central role of people in building ASEAN, saying the organization must remain citizen-focused while promoting peace, shared prosperity, and mutual cooperation.
Malaysian Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Amarjit Singh, speaking on behalf of ASEAN embassies in the country, said the celebration comes at a historic moment as Timor-Leste prepares to officially join the bloc in October during the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur.
“This milestone marks the culmination of years of commitment, preparation, and engagement by Timor-Leste. We reaffirm our strong and ongoing support for its accession and stand ready to work closely with the government to ensure full and meaningful integration,” he said.
On the event’s theme, the ambassador stressed that regional development must be inclusive and benefit all Southeast Asian peoples. He said sustainability and inclusion are essential to ASEAN’s future and must remain central to its policies and actions.
Foreign Minister Bendito Freitas reaffirmed Timor-Leste’s commitment to ASEAN’s core values of cooperation, mutual respect, non-interference, and unity. He pledged the country’s active role in promoting peace, security, economic integration, sustainable development, climate resilience, and youth empowerment in the region.
Freitas said this year’s ASEAN Day holds special meaning, noting that in just over two months Timor-Leste will formally join the ASEAN family—an occasion of national pride, reflection, and deep gratitude.
He thanked ASEAN member states and dialogue partners for their support throughout the accession process and acknowledged Malaysia’s leadership as the bloc’s current chair.
The event was attended by Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão, Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs and Minister of Tourism and Environment Francisco Kalbuadi Lay, accredited ambassadors, World Health Organization Representative Arvind Mathur, and international partners.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
