Permanent Representative of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste to ASEAN Presents Letter of Credence to the Secretary-General of ASEAN

Jakarta, 29 October 2025 - Ambassador Natércia Cipriano Coelho da Silva presented her Letter of Credence to the Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat, on 29 October 2025, formally commencing her tenure as the Permanent Representative of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste to ASEAN.

The Presentation of Credentials Ceremony took place following Timor-Leste's admission as the eleventh Member State of ASEAN at the 47^th ASEAN Summit held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on 26 October 2025. Timor-Leste applied to be a member of ASEAN in 2011 and was granted Observer Status in 2022, enabling its participation in CPR meetings and ASEAN sectoral bodies. Since then, Timor-Leste has demonstrated strong commitment to ASEAN's vision by actively engaging in various meetings and activities across all three ASEAN Community pillars and the ASEAN Connectivity.

During the courtesy call that followed, Secretary-General Dr. Kao congratulated Ambassador Natércia on her appointment as Timor-Leste's first Permanent Representative to ASEAN and welcomed Timor-Leste as the newest Member State of ASEAN. He expressed confidence that Ambassador Natércia's leadership and experience will contribute meaningfully to ASEAN's ongoing Community-building and integration efforts, especially ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future and the four Strategic Plans.

Secretary-General Dr. Kao also reaffirmed the ASEAN Secretariat's readiness to continue supporting the Permanent Mission of Timor-Leste to ASEAN, particularly in facilitating Timor-Leste's full and effective participation in ASEAN's processes, mechanisms, works and activities. He further noted that ASEAN is working closely with Timor-Leste and relevant ASEAN bodies to identify and operationalise Timor-Leste's participation across various ASEAN mechanisms following its admission as a full Member State.

As Permanent Representative, Ambassador Natércia will represent Timor-Leste as a full member of the Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN (CPR), participating in its meetings and engagements with ASEAN sectoral bodies and external partners.

The Presentation of Credentials marks a historic milestone in Timor-Leste's integration into ASEAN's institutional framework. It also reaffirms ASEAN's enduring commitment to building an inclusive and cohesive region, with Timor-Leste now joining as an equal member committed to advancing shared goals for peace, stability, and prosperity in the region.

The Ambassador expressed her gratitude for the warm welcome extended to Timor-Leste and reaffirmed her commitment to upholding the responsibilities of a full ASEAN Member State. "It is a great honour to serve as Timor-Leste's first Permanent Representative to ASEAN at this historic moment for Timor-Leste. Our membership marks the culmination of a long journey and the beginning of a new chapter of partnership and shared purpose. Timor-Leste stands ready to work closely with all ASEAN Member States and partners to build a region anchored in lasting peace, enduring stability, and shared prosperity for all."