Dili, March 19 (AseanAll) — Timor-Leste President and Nobel Peace Laureate, J. Ramos-Horta presided over the swearing-in ceremony of Mrs. Elisa Maria da Silva as the new Permanent Representative of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
The ceremony took place at the Nicolau Lobato Presidential Palace in Dili, on March 19, 2026.
Ambassador Elisa Maria da Silva’s appointment was formalized by the Decree of the President of the Republic No.35/2026. She succeeds Ambassador Natercia Cipriana Coelho da Silva.
Ramos-Horta extended his gratitude to the outgoing Permanent Representative for her dedicated service in establishing Timor-Leste’s diplomatic presence within ASEAN during the critical period of integration.
Ambassador Elisa Maria da Silva is a career diplomat with more than two decades of experience in regional affairs. Prior to her appointment, she served as the Director-General for ASEAN Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation. Her previous roles within the ministry include Director for the ASEAN Political-Security Community Pillar. She has also held significant postings abroad, serving as Counsellor at the Embassy of Timor-Leste in Bangkok, Thailand, where she also acted as Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and Interim Chargé d’Affaires from February 2020 to January 2021. Earlier in her career, Ambassador Elisa was First Secretary at the Timor-Leste Embassy in Canberra, Australia (2010–2013), and Third Secretary/Consul at the Consulate General in Sydney, Australia (2005–2008). She began her career at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation in 2001. Between overseas assignments, she held key positions at the Ministry, including Director for Protocol and Ceremonial (2014–2016) and was twice appointed Chief of Staff during that period. Before joining the foreign service, she gained valuable experience as a production assistant, camerawoman, and TV presenter for TVTL/Public Information Unit, OCPIO UNTAET, during 1999–2000. She also served as an interpreter/translator and administrative assistant in the Administration Section of UNAMET from June to September 1999. Her educational qualifications include a Master’s Degree in Management, majoring in Organization Development and Management, from Assumption University, Thailand (2019), and a Bachelor’s Degree in Educational Science from UNTL, Dili. Ambassador Elisa Maria da Silva Speak Tetum, Portuguese, Indonesian, and English.
Ramos-Horta underscored the strategic importance of this role as Timor-Leste solidifies its place within the regional bloc.
“The role of our Permanent Representative in Jakarta is fundamental to ensuring that Timor-Leste as 11th Member of ASEAN is active and contributing participant in our shared regional community,” stated President J. Ramos-Horta. “Ambassador Elisa Maria da Silva brings a deep understanding of ASEAN’s mechanisms and a wealth of diplomatic experience that will be essential as we navigate our full integration across all three Community pillars—Political-Security, Economic, and Socio-Cultural. I am confident she will ably represent our national interests and strengthen our ties with our Southeast Asian neighbors.”
As Permanent Representative, Ambassador Elisa Maria da Silva will serve as Timor-Leste’s principal representative to ASEAN and a member of the Committee of Permanent Representatives (CPR). Her key responsibilities will include representing Timor-Leste in CPR meetings, liaising with the ASEAN Secretariat, and facilitating the implementation of ASEAN agreements. Her mandate is crucial for leveraging the strategic opportunities of full membership, including enhanced economic integration into a market of over 600 million people, active participation in regional security dialogues, and institutional capacity building.
Ramos-Horta concluded by reaffirming Timor-Leste’s unwavering commitment to strengthening its global diplomatic ties and wished Ambassador Elisa Maria da Silva success in her new tenure serving the people and interests of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste.
