DÍLI, 20 July 2026 (TATOLI) – Bendito dos Santos Freitas, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Timor-Leste, accompanied by Milena Rangel, Vice-Minister for ASEAN Affairs, on Monday participated in the Meeting of the Commission on the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ).
Marking Timor-Leste’s first participation in the Commission as a full State Party following its accession to the SEANWFZ Treaty on 25 October 2025, Minister Bendito reaffirmed the country’s unwavering commitment to regional peace, security, nuclear disarmament, and non-proliferation.
He welcomed the progress in implementing the SEANWFZ Plan of Action (2023–2027) and underscored the importance of strengthening technical cooperation, institutional capacity-building, and the peaceful application of nuclear science and technology for sustainable development.
Minister Bendito also reiterated Timor-Leste’s support for the early signature and ratification of the SEANWFZ Protocol by all Nuclear-Weapon States, recognizing it as an important step towards strengthening the Treaty and advancing the global nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation agenda.
The Commission also reaffirmed ASEAN’s commitment to preserving Southeast Asia as a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone and to strengthening international efforts towards nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, reflecting the region’s shared commitment to peace, security, and a rules-based international order.
TATOLI
