DILI, 26 May 2026 (TATOLI) — Secretary-General of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly, Chem Widhya, on Monday reaffirmed support for Timor-Leste’s accession as the 11th member parliament of AIPA during a high-level meeting with President of the National Parliament Maria Fernanda Lay and lawmakers in Dili.
The executive briefing, held at Timor-Leste’s National Parliament, was aimed at strengthening understanding of AIPA’s institutional framework, parliamentary mechanisms, deliberative processes and the responsibilities associated with full membership in the regional legislative body.
The meeting brought together members of parliament and senior officials to discuss the role of legislatures in advancing ASEAN cooperation and Timor-Leste’s broader regional integration efforts.
Widhya, who arrived in Timor-Leste on Sunday for an official visit and remains in the country until Tuesday, said the meeting comes at a significant moment as Timor-Leste prepares to join AIPA at the upcoming 47th General Assembly in Metro Manila, Philippines, in October 2026.
“As Timor-Leste prepares herself to become the 11th Member Parliament of AIPA at the upcoming 47th AIPA General Assembly, this Executive Briefing serves as an important platform to further strengthen understanding of AIPA’s institutional framework, parliamentary mechanisms, deliberative processes and the responsibilities that come with full membership,” Widhya said.
He described AIPA as “more than a parliamentary institution,” calling it “a platform for dialogue, cooperation and collective responsibility among ASEAN legislatures” in promoting peace, stability, rule of law, accountability, equity, good governance, inclusive growth and people-centred regional cooperation.
“At a time when our region continues to navigate complex geopolitical, economic and social challenges, parliamentary diplomacy remains essential in strengthening mutual trust, reinforcing ASEAN centrality, and ensuring that cooperation in our own region and beyond continues to respond to the aspirations of our peoples,” he said.
Widhya said Timor-Leste’s future participation as AIPA’s 11th member parliament would carry “profound historical and institutional significance” for the regional parliamentary body.
“It enriches the ASEAN family and our Assembly of Parliaments. It also reflects the continued evolution of AIPA as a more inclusive and representative regional parliamentary assembly,” he said, adding that Timor-Leste’s experience, perspectives and commitment to regional cooperation would contribute to “a more resilient, outward-looking, innovative, dynamic and people-centred ASEAN Community where peace is essential, and prosperity shared.”
He also encouraged members of Timor-Leste’s National Parliament to actively share their views and questions during the session to deepen mutual understanding of AIPA’s practices and parliamentary processes.
“The AIPA Secretariat and myself remain fully committed to supporting Timor-Leste in this important and historic journey,” Widhya said.
During the meeting, Maria Fernanda Lay highlighted the role of parliaments in promoting inclusive and sustainable development, saying inclusion should be measured not only through economic indicators but also through its impact on people’s lives.
“Inclusive growth raises a very difficult question, one that cannot be measured in numbers: it is not how much has been built, but who was left behind while we were building,” Lay said.
She added that parliaments “exist precisely to give a voice to those who are left behind.”
Lay said Timor-Leste, as the youngest country in the region, had learned from its own national experience that “what is built without the people does not last,” and called for regional integration grounded in meaningful public participation and reduced inequality.
She also underlined the role of parliaments in legislation, oversight, and political representation, saying parliamentary diplomacy should help ensure that regional commitments “effectively reach the people.”
The 47th AIPA General Assembly is scheduled to take place in Metro Manila in October 2026, where Timor-Leste is expected to formally join the regional parliamentary assembly as its 11th member.
TATOLI
