ERIA Meets Timor-Leste’s Permanent Representative to ASEAN to Strengthen Co-operation

Jakarta, 29 April 2026: ERIA held a courtesy meeting with H.E. Ambassador Elisa Maria da Silva, Permanent Representative of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste to ASEAN, at the Permanent Mission of Timor-Leste to ASEAN in Jakarta.

The ERIA delegation was led by Chief Operating Officer Mr Takayuki Yamanaka and included Mr Jeremy Gross, Director of Mekong Affairs and Capacity Building; Professor Nobuhiro Aizawa, Dean and Managing Director of the ERIA School of Government; Ms Mai Yagishita, Planning and Coordination Manager; and Ms Putti Hiswi, Coordinating Officer.

Discussions focused on strengthening co-operation between ERIA and Timor-Leste, particularly in the areas of policy research, capacity building, and support for regional integration. ERIA provided an overview of its mandate and activities, highlighting its role in delivering policy-oriented research, engaging with regional stakeholders, and supporting ASEAN processes.

Ambassador da Silva expressed appreciation for ERIA's continued engagement and conveyed Timor-Leste's strong interest in deepening collaboration. She emphasised the importance of leveraging ERIA's expertise to support national development priorities and enhance the country's engagement with regional frameworks.

The discussion also covered Timor-Leste's preparations for its ASEAN Chairmanship in 2029. Ambassador da Silva highlighted the establishment of national co-ordination mechanisms and underscored the importance of early preparation and access to external expertise. ERIA reaffirmed its readiness to contribute through research and technical inputs aligned with regional priorities.

Both sides emphasised the importance of continued dialogue and close co-ordination moving forward. The meeting concluded on a positive note, with a shared commitment to further strengthening co-operation and supporting Timor-Leste's integration into regional processes.