PRESS RELEASE
Dili, 3 September 2025
H.E. the Minister of Planning and Strategic Investment, Eng. Gastão Francisco de Sousa, participated in the ordinary meeting of the Council of Ministers, held at the Government Palace in Dili, dedicated to the consideration of draft resolutions concerning Timor-Leste’s full accession to ASEAN.
Approval of Draft Parliamentary Resolutions
The Council of Ministers approved draft Parliamentary Resolutions, presented by H.E. the Vice-Minister for ASEAN Affairs, Milena Maria da Costa Rangel, regarding Timor-Leste’s accession to the following key ASEAN instruments:
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ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER) – integrating Timor-Leste into regional cooperation on prevention, preparedness, response and recovery.
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Agreement on the Establishment of the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre) – enabling rapid mobilization of resources, information-sharing and technical assistance.
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Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) – reaffirming Timor-Leste’s commitment to peace, security, and disarmament.
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Framework Agreement on Enhancing ASEAN Economic Cooperation – securing Timor-Leste’s participation in mechanisms for trade liberalization, investment promotion and economic collaboration.
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Protocol on the Enhanced Dispute Settlement Mechanism – ensuring peaceful, effective and predictable resolution of economic and commercial disputes.
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ASEAN Agreement on Tourism – promoting ASEAN as a single, integrated tourism destination, with travel facilitation and capacity development.
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ASEAN Multilateral Agreement on Air Services (MAAS) and Supplementary Protocols – strengthening air connectivity, trade, tourism and investment.
Approval of Draft Government Resolutions
The Council of Ministers also approved draft Government Resolutions concerning accession to the following ASEAN instruments:
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ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution (AATHP) – fostering cooperation in preventing and mitigating forest fires.
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Agreement on the Establishment of the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity – supporting conservation, information exchange and financial resource mobilization.
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Charter of the ASEAN University Network (AUN) – enabling student mobility programs, scientific research and innovation.
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Agreement on the Establishment of the ASEAN Centre for Active Ageing and Innovation (ACAI Centre) – supporting public policies and research on healthy ageing.
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Ministerial Understanding on ASEAN Cooperation in Tourism – strengthening the region as an integrated and competitive tourism destination.
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Ministerial Understanding on ASEAN Cooperation in Minerals – promoting sustainable development of the sector, responsible trade and investment.
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Financial Contribution to the ASEAN Secretariat – covering logistical and administrative costs related to Timor-Leste’s full membership.
Preparation of the Accession Ceremony
During the meeting, H.E. the Vice-Minister for ASEAN Affairs, Mrs. Milena Maria da Costa Rangel also presented the logistical preparations for the official ceremony of Timor-Leste’s accession to ASEAN, to be held in Malaysia on 26 October 2025.
Press Office