(Jakarta): On 1 August 2025, Secretary General of ASEAN, Kao Kim Hourn, warmly welcomed José Ramos-Horta, President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, to the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat.

The event commenced with the signing of guestbook and will be followed by an Interface between the president of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste and the secretary general of ASEAN, the Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN (CPR), and the ambassador of Timor-Leste to ASEAN, and the delivery of a Policy Speech. The Policy Speech will be attended by members of the diplomatic corps in Jakarta, representatives of ASEAN-associated entities, academia and think tanks, business leaders, and staff members of the ASEAN Secretariat.

The ASEAN secretary general together with the Committee of the Permanent Representatives to ASEAN (CPR) and the ambassador of Timor-Leste to ASEAN, held an Interface with José Ramos-Horta, President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat.

The Interface underscored Timor-Leste’s unwavering commitment to the work of ASEAN, particularly towards ASEAN Community-building and regional integration efforts. The ASEAN secretary general reaffirmed the ASEAN Secretariat’s support to Timor-Leste in its efforts to be the 11th member of ASEAN in October of this year.

On the same day, the president of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste also delivered a Policy Speech at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat, highlighting Timor-Leste’s full commitment to and support for the work of ASEAN, including its vision of regional unity, peace, and prosperity.

Meanwhile, Secretary General Kao Kim Hourn delivered opening remarks prior to the Policy Speech, commending José Ramos-Horta’s distinguished leadership in strengthening the bonds between ASEAN Member States and Timor-Leste as ASEAN embarks on its implementation of ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Vision. Secretary General Kao Kim Hourn emphasised the value of high-level visits by Leaders in shaping regional discourse and in deepening engagement with the diplomatic corps, ASEAN entities, academia, think tanks and the business community, paving the way for expanding ASEAN narratives in the region and beyond.
=FRESH NEWS