Jakarta – Timor-Leste has taken another historic step in its integration into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) with the formal presentation of credentials by its first Permanent Representative to the regional bloc.
Ambassador Natércia Cipriano Coelho da Silva presented her Letter of Credence to ASEAN Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta on Wednesday, officially commencing her tenure as Timor-Leste’s envoy to ASEAN.
The ceremony followed Timor-Leste’s admission as ASEAN’s eleventh Member State during the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur on 26 October 2025. The milestone marked the culmination of a 14-year journey that began with Timor-Leste’s application in 2011.
The country was granted Observer Status in 2022, which allowed it to participate in ASEAN meetings and sectoral bodies while preparing for full membership.
During the courtesy call after the ceremony, Dr. Kao congratulated Ambassador Natércia on her appointment and welcomed Timor-Leste as ASEAN’s newest member.
He expressed confidence that her leadership would contribute significantly to ASEAN’s Community-building and integration efforts, particularly in advancing the long-term vision of ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future and the bloc’s four Strategic Plans.
Dr. Kao also reaffirmed the ASEAN Secretariat’s commitment to supporting Timor-Leste’s Permanent Mission, ensuring its full and effective participation in ASEAN’s processes and mechanisms. He noted that ASEAN is working closely with Dili and relevant bodies to operationalise Timor-Leste’s involvement across the organisation’s structures.
As Permanent Representative, Ambassador Natércia will join the Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN (CPR), engaging in regular meetings with ASEAN sectoral bodies and external partners. Her role is expected to be pivotal in ensuring Timor-Leste’s smooth integration into ASEAN’s institutional framework.
The Ambassador expressed gratitude for the warm welcome extended to her country and reaffirmed Timor-Leste’s commitment to ASEAN’s shared goals.
“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,” she said.
Observers note that Timor-Leste’s accession represents ASEAN’s first expansion in over 25 years, since Cambodia joined in 1999.
The move is widely seen as a reaffirmation of ASEAN’s commitment to inclusivity and regional cohesion, while also offering Timor-Leste new opportunities for economic cooperation, political engagement, and development partnerships.
The presentation of credentials not only formalises Timor-Leste’s place within ASEAN’s institutional framework but also underscores the bloc’s enduring mission to build a region anchored in peace, stability, and shared prosperity.
Sources: ASEAN Secretariat News, The Jakarta Post, Tempo
