Timor-Leste to host Díli Regional Cooperative Conference
DILI, 07 September 2026 (TATOLI) – Timor-Leste will host a regional cooperative conference, ministerial dialogue and ASEAN Cooperative Expo in Dili from October 1 to 4, as the country seeks to strengthen economic cooperation and integration with Southeast Asian neighbours.
Under the theme “Empowering Communities, Connecting Nations,” the events will bring together Ministers and senior government officials, policymakers, cooperative representatives and federations, experts and academics, development partners, private sector representatives and civil society stakeholders from Timor-Leste and across the ASEAN region.
These events represent an important opportunity for Timor-Leste to strengthen regional cooperation through the cooperative movement, exchange knowledge and good practices, promote inclusive economic development, and deepen partnerships among governments, cooperatives and other stakeholders.
The Díli Regional Cooperative Conference and Ministerial Dialogue 2026 will serve as a high-level, multi-stakeholder platform for dialogue on the future of cooperative development in Southeast Asia.
The Conference will focus on exchanging experiences and good practices, addressing key policy issues and opportunities, promoting innovation and sustainable economic models, strengthening ministerial-level cooperation and generating practical recommendations for the
The four-day programme will include an Opening Session, a Special Session on Timor-Leste’s ASEAN Economic Integration, three Plenary Sessions, a Ministerial Dialogue, Bilateral Meetings, and the ASEAN Cooperative Expo.
Key discussions will focus on ASEAN economic integration and sectoral pathways, policy and national frameworks for regional cooperative integration, financial support and banking ecosystems for cooperatives, community-based cooperatives and their role in socio-economic transformation, as well as regional partnerships and cross-border cooperation.
Ministerial Dialogue
A central component of DRCCMD 2026 will be the Ministerial Dialogue on 3 October 2026, bringing together Ministers and Heads of Delegation to discuss regional partnerships, policy coordination and cross-border collaboration.
The dialogue is designed to identify a common way forward for strengthening regional cooperation and building a more integrated and cohesive regional cooperative ecosystem.
The Conference will also contribute to building early momentum towards Timor-Leste’s ASEAN
Chairmanship and the ASEAN Summit in 2029, with the objective of ensuring that the cooperative movement and inclusive business models are increasingly reflected in the regional agenda.
ASEAN Cooperative Expo 2026
The ASEAN Cooperative Expo 2026 will take place from 2 to 4 October 2026 at the Centro de Convenções de Díli (CCD), organized by SECoop.
The Expo will provide a regional platform to showcase cooperative products, services and innovations from ASEAN Member States, while promoting knowledge exchange, business partnerships, investment, market access and cross-border collaboration.
The Expo will feature participation from cooperative movements across ASEAN, selected cooperatives from Timor-Leste, selected micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMES), as well as outdoor fair participants.
Cooperative representatives from the ASEAN Member States will have dedicated exhibition booths, alongside selected Timor-Leste cooperatives representing municipalities across the country. This will provide an opportunity to showcase the diversity, creativity and potential of the cooperative movement in Timor-Leste and the wider ASEAN region.
Strengthening Timor-Leste’s Asean Integration
The organization of DRCMD 2026 and the ASEAN Cooperative Expo reflects Timor-Leste’s aspiration to learn from the experience and best practices of fellow ASEAN Member States while contributing to regional economic integration.
Cooperatives have an important role to play in promoting inclusive economic growth, social solidarity, poverty reduction, financial inclusion, rural development, food security and community resilience.
Through these events, Timor-Leste seeks to strengthen the cooperative sector as an important vehicle for productive economic activity and inclusive development, while creating new opportunities for cooperation between Timor-Leste and ASEAN cooperative movements.
TATOLI
