Participants in the “Futuru Líder Ba ASEAN” programme complete an immersion programme in nine ASEAN Member States
DÍLI, 03 September 2026 (TATOLI) – Participants of the third cohort of the Futuru Líder ba ASEAN (FLBA) programme have successfully concluded their week-long ASEAN Immersion Programme, undertaken across nine ASEAN Member States between July and August 2026.
The FLBA programme is an initiative of the Government of Timor-Leste, implemented through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation (MNEC) under the leadership of Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Bendito dos Santos Freitas and Deputy Minister for ASEAN Affairs Milena Rangel. The programme aims to strengthen the capacity of emerging Timorese leaders and prepare them to contribute meaningfully to Timor-Leste’s participation in ASEAN.
As part of this year’s immersion programme, FLBA Cohort III participants travelled in teams to Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam. The visits provided participants with first-hand exposure to the institutions, economies, cultures and development experiences of fellow ASEAN Member States.
Throughout the week-long immersions, participants engaged with government institutions, the private sector, universities and academic institutions, development organisations and other relevant stakeholders. These engagements provided opportunities to learn from ASEAN Member States’ experiences in areas including economic development, human capital, sustainability, governance and regional cooperation.
The immersion programme also enabled participants to strengthen their leadership, strategic thinking, cross-cultural communication and problem-solving skills while building professional networks with counterparts across the region. Through discussions, institutional visits and practical learning activities, participants were encouraged to identify lessons and approaches that could be relevant to Timor-Leste’s own development priorities.
FLBA Cohort III brings together emerging leaders from across Timorese society, including representatives of government, the private sector, civil society and academia. The programme promotes diversity and inclusion, bringing together participants from different municipalities, professional backgrounds and areas of expertise to learn from one another and develop a stronger understanding of Timor-Leste’s role within ASEAN.
The successful implementation of the immersion programme was made possible through close cooperation between MNEC, Timor-Leste’s diplomatic missions in ASEAN Member States and host-country partners. Timor-Leste’s embassies and missions played an important role in facilitating institutional engagements, connecting participants with relevant stakeholders and supporting the delegations throughout their visits.
The completion of the 2026 ASEAN Immersion Programme marks another important milestone for FLBA Cohort III. Participants will bring the knowledge, networks and experiences gained during their visits back to Timor-Leste and apply them through the next stages of the programme and within their respective institutions and communities.
As Timor-Leste continues its journey as ASEAN’s newest Member State, the FLBA programme represents an important investment in the next generation of Timorese leaders. By providing emerging leaders with direct regional exposure and opportunities to build relationships across ASEAN, the programme contributes to developing the human resources necessary for Timor-Leste to participate actively and effectively in the ASEAN Community.
TATOLI
