DILI, 30 June 2026 (TATOLI) – Timor-Leste took part in the GBA-ASEAN Summit for the first time, with Vice Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs and Minister of Tourism and Environment Francisco Kalbuadi Lay leading the country’s delegation at the 2026 summit in Hong Kong.
Lay was accompanied by Vice Minister of Commerce and Industry and Senior Economic Officials Meeting (SEOM) Leader Augusto Júnior Trindade at the summit, which was held at The Fullerton Ocean Park Hotel from June 30 – July 1, 2026.
The government’s participation in the high-level ministerial gathering marks a significant step in Timor-Leste’s efforts to deepen regional economic integration following its accession to ASEAN, while expanding partnerships with the Greater Bay Area, including Hong Kong and Shenzhen.
In a keynote address, Lay underscored the importance of strengthening regional economic cooperation, promoting investment and innovation, and fostering strategic partnerships between ASEAN member states and the Greater Bay Area.
The GBA-ASEAN Summit 2026 serves as a high-level platform to promote regional economic integration and collaboration between the Greater Bay Area and ASEAN. The summit attracted over 500 participants, including ministers and government officials from Hong Kong, mainland China and Southeast Asia, alongside business leaders and institutional investors.
The summit provides an unparalleled platform for policy dialogue and cross-border partnerships in Technology and Innovation, Industrial Expansion, Cross-border Financing and Supply Chain Resilience, according to the South China Morning Post (SCMP).
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