Azerbaijan, March 13 (AseanAll) — President of the Republic of Timor-Leste, J. Ramos-Horta represented Timor-Leste at the official opening ceremony of the XIII Global Baku Forum, held at the Gulustan Palace in Azerbaijan on March 12, 2026. Joining Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and a distinguished assembly of former heads of state, top United Nations officials, and global experts, the President’s presence underscored Timor-Leste’s active engagement in premier international diplomacy. The high-level gathering set the stage for critical dialogues aimed at bridging divides and navigating the complexities of today’s fractured geopolitical landscape.
Shortly after the opening proceedings, President Ramos-Horta delivered a powerful intervention during the forum’s first major debate, issuing an urgent call for peace, justice, and the protection of human rights amid escalating global crises.
Addressing the devastating humanitarian impacts of ongoing conflicts, specifically highlighting the tragic loss of civilian lives in Iran, Palestine, Ukraine, and beyond, the Head of State strongly condemned the senseless violence and the selective application of international law. President Ramos-Horta warned the global community that when international rules are manipulated to protect only the powerful, the foundational trust required for global cooperation rapidly deteriorates.
Concluding his compelling address, the President firmly positioned small and medium-sized nations as vital defenders of a rules-based global order, emphasizing that true multilateralism is the only alternative to a world governed by raw, unchecked power. Calling for urgent UN Security Council reforms and collective action against digital disinformation, President Ramos-Horta reaffirmed Timor-Leste’s unwavering commitment to shared universal values and urged world leaders to adapt and preserve collaborative institutions, poignantly cautioning that if smaller nations are denied a seat at the multilateral table, they risk being “on the menu” for larger global powers.
