Dili, March 14 (AseanAll) — Building on the success of the Capacity Building Programme (CBP) Phase 1, the ASEAN Secretariat (ASEC) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) launched CBP Phase 2 in Dili from 11-13 March 2025, bringing Timor-Leste closer to meeting its commitments under the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC).
This phase is designed to enhance the understanding of Timor-Leste officials on the ASEAN Economic Agreements (AEAs) under Priority One Accession in the Roadmap for Timor-Leste’s Full Membership in ASEAN. The ASEAN Secretariat staff served as resource persons for the training.
Session 1 served as a refresher course on the work of the AEC, including its sectoral bodies and work plans. It further discussed the benefits for Timor-Leste as one of beneficiaries under the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI). Additionally, the participants also received an overview of the AEC Post-2025 Strategic Plan.
The session opened with Welcoming Remarks by Stefania Dina, ADB Country Director, and Opening Remarks by Satvinder Singh, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for the ASEAN Economic Community, Amarjit Sarjit Singh, Ambassador of Malaysia to Timor-Leste, and Milena Rangel, Vice Minister for ASEAN Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Timor-Leste.
In his opening remarks video, the Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN highlighted the vital role of the CBP in equipping Timor-Leste with the necessary expertise and institutional readiness to successfully navigate the accession process toward full ASEAN membership. He further reassured Timor-Leste that ASEAN remains steadfast in its commitment to offering continual technical assistance, knowledge sharing, and targeted training programmes.
With 86 participants from the ministries and line agencies from Timor-Leste, namely the Coordinating Minister of Economic Affairs (MCAE), Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MCI), TradeInvest Timor-Leste (TITL), National Communications Authority (ANC), Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Petroleum and Minerals, Central Bank of Timor-Leste (BCTL), Tax Authority, National Environmental Licensing Authority, IP (ANLA I.P.), National Institute of Workforce Development (INDMO), Authority for Inspection and Supervision of Economic, Sanitary and Food Activity (AIFAESA, Social Communication (SECOMS), Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, SERVE I.P., , the training reinforced the country’s preparedness for integration into ASEAN’s economic framework. Two more training sessions are planned for the CBP Phase 2, which is expected to be conducted in the coming months of 2025.
The training was concluded by closing remarks from Augusto Junior Trindade, Vice Minister of Commerce and Industry of Timor-Leste.
After the training was concluded, the ASEAN Secretariat was invited to the Nationwide Campaign on ASEAN, to increase awareness of ASEAN among Timorese, conducted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Timor-Leste and supported by the European Union.
