Formal submission marks a significant step in Timor-Leste’s progress toward full ASEAN membership.
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr Kao Kim Hourn, received the Instruments of Accession to ASEAN legal instruments from the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, in his capacity as the Depositary of ASEAN legal instruments. The documents were formally deposited by H.E. Ambassador Natércia Cipriano Coelho da Silva, Permanent Representative of Timor-Leste to ASEAN, during a ceremony at the ASEAN Secretariat.
The deposit marked an important milestone in Timor-Leste’s continued implementation of the Roadmap for its full membership in ASEAN. As part of this process, Timor-Leste is required to comply with, adopt and accede to ASEAN treaties, conventions, agreements and other legal instruments that underpin the organisation’s rules-based regional architecture.
Image by: The ASEAN Secretary
Dr Kao commended Timor-Leste for its steady progress and reaffirmed ASEAN’s commitment to supporting its integration efforts. He emphasised the importance of the legal accession process in ensuring that all Member States operate within a harmonised framework that upholds regional cooperation, community-building and adherence to shared norms.
Ambassador Coelho da Silva expressed Timor-Leste’s deep commitment to meeting its membership obligations and highlighted the country’s determination to participate fully in ASEAN’s political-security, economic and socio-cultural pillars. She noted that Timor-Leste views ASEAN membership as a strategic national priority aligned with its development aspirations.
The formal deposit further solidifies Timor-Leste’s path toward full ASEAN membership and reflects the broader regional consensus on its inclusion. With continued progress in fulfilling accession requirements, Timor-Leste is set to deepen its engagement across ASEAN mechanisms in the years ahead.
Source: The ASEAN Secretary
