DILI, 15 May 2026 (TATOLI) – Timor-Leste participated for the first time as a full member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the 38th ASEAN-Australia Forum, held on 12–13 May 2026 in Sydney, Australia.
The Timorese delegation was led by Milena Rangel, Vice-Minister for ASEAN Affairs and Timor-Leste’s Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) Leader for ASEAN.
The meeting was co-chaired by representatives from Association of Southeast Asian Nations and Australia, with participation also from Indonesia.
Australia was represented by Michelle Chan, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Australia’s Senior Official for ASEAN, while Indonesia was represented by Ina H. Krisnamurthi, Director-General for ASEAN Cooperation and Indonesia’s Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) Leader for ASEAN.
The forum brought together senior officials from ASEAN member states and Australia to review progress in bilateral relations and set priorities for future cooperation, as the partners mark the fifth anniversary of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Discussions focused on the implementation of the ASEAN-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Action Plan for 2025–2029, alongside regional and international issues of mutual concern.
Key topics included regional peace and stability, rules-based trade, resilient supply chains, and cooperation on food and energy security.
Participants also reaffirmed the importance of strengthening the ASEAN-led regional architecture.
The ASEAN-Australia Forum remains a key platform for dialogue and cooperation between Southeast Asia and Australia on strategic, economic, and security issues.
Timor-Leste formally joined ASEAN in October 2025, marking its first participation in the forum as a full member of the regional bloc.
TATOLI
