FILE PHOTO: Students from several universities protest against parliament's plan to purchase 65 SUVs for lawmakers at the National University of Timor-Leste in Dili, Timor-Leste on Sept. 15, 2025. The country’s youthful population, rich natural resources and growing private sector will open new avenues for cooperation in trade, investment and innovation within Asean. - AFP
KUALA LUMPUR: Timor-Leste is eager to bring its distinct experience in peace building, democratic governance and reconciliation into Asean, complementing the regional bloc’s vision of a rule-based and people-centred community, said its Permanent Representative to Asean, Natercia Cipriano Coelho da Silva.
Natercia said the country’s youthful population, rich natural resources and growing private sector will open new avenues for cooperation in trade, investment and innovation.
"As a small but determined state, Timor-Leste can serve as a bridge between Asean and the Lusophone (Portuguese-speaking) community, contributing to Asean’s regional reach and diversity,” she said during the 9th Asean Media Forum panel discussion session themed "From Neighbour to Asean Member: A Look at Asean’s Enlargement, Integration, and Engagement”, held here on Thursday (Nov 6).
She said Timor-Leste’s accession as the 11th member of Asean also marked a new phase of constructive partnership, grounded on shared interests, mutual respect and a commitment to strengthen the bloc’s unity, centrality and regional impact.
Natercia said the partnership is not merely symbolic but a shared responsibility to work together in strengthening institutions, building capacity and ensuring that Timor-Leste’s accession adds value to Asean’s community building reform and resilience amid a rapidly changing global landscape.
"Timor-Leste will be a partner that listens, learns, and leads, working hand in hand to shape our region’s future together. Becoming an Asean member is not the end of our journey but the beginning of our shared responsibility to shape our region’s future together.
"The country will actively participate in Asean meetings, fulfill commitments under Asean agreements and contribute to collective goals in economic obligations, political and security cooperation, as well as people-to-people relations,” she said.
The representative said Timor-Leste’s participation also reaffirms Asean’s spirit of unity and diversity, adding that the bloc’s strength has always been its ability to accommodate different stages of development while pursuing a shared goal.
"Through mechanisms such as the Initiative for Asean Integration, Timor-Leste looks forward to both learning from and contributing to the collective progress of our region,” she said.
Natercia noted that the regional bloc also stands at a defining moment in navigating rapid technological change, economic transition, and complex geopolitical realities.
"We believe Asean’s future will depend on solidarity, adaptability, and cooperation. As we move forward, Timor-Leste stands ready to work with fellow member states to advance Asean’s forward-looking agenda - from strengthening the regional digital economy to expanding cooperation under the Asean Power Grid,” she said.
"It is for sustainable and secure energy, and addressing emerging challenges such as cybersecurity and cybercrime vulnerability. We see these priorities are essential to building a region that is not only competitive but also secure and inclusive,” she added.
Timor-Leste officially joined Asean as its 11th member on Oct 26, the grouping’s first expansion after 26 years. It was formalised through the signing of the Declaration on the Admission of Timor-Leste into Asean during the opening of the 47th Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur. - Bernama
