DILI, 25 October 2025 (TATOLI) – On the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Summit, President Jose Ramos-Horta held a high-level strategic meeting with senior officials from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
The delegation, led by the General Director of the ADB’s Southeast Asia Department, Winfried Wicklein, and the Country Director for Timor-Leste, Stefania Dina, met with the President to discuss the future of their partnership following Timor-Leste’s historic accession to ASEAN.
The ADB reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to supporting Timor-Leste’s national development, a partnership that has been instrumental in the country’s journey towards ASEAN membership since 2012 as Observer.
Dina extended congratulations on behalf of the bank and emphasized that the ADB is dedicated to continuing its support in the post-accession phase, ensuring Timor-Leste is fully prepared to “harvest the benefits” that full regional integration will bring.
Discussions focused on a multi-pronged strategy to maximize the advantages of ASEAN membership. Key areas included critical investments in infrastructure, strengthening human capital, enhancing the capacity to implement trade agreements, and fostering a robust environment for both domestic and foreign direct investment.
This continued collaboration is seen as vital for accelerating Timor-Leste’s economic growth and ensuring shared prosperity within the ASEAN community.
TATOLI
