Dili, June 27 (AseanAll) — On June 27, 2025, Timor-Leste President and Nobel Peace Laureate J. Ramos-Horta officially opened the 4th Asian Portuguese Community Conference (APCC) at the Dili Convention Centre. welcoming delegates from Portuguese-descendant communities across Asia for a landmark three-day gathering focused on cultural preservation and regional cooperation.
The APCC was first launched in Malacca, Malaysia, in 2016, with the aim of fostering closer ties, promoting Portuguese language and culture, and encouraging lasting collaboration among Portuguese-descendant communities in Asia. This fourth edition marks the first time the conference is hosted in Timor-Leste.
The 4th Asian Portuguese Community Conference (APCC) is organized by the IX Constitutional Government of Timor-Leste in partnership with the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP) under the theme “United in Diversity: Challenges and Opportunities of an Enduring Legacy.”
The conference running from June 27-29, 2025, brings together representatives from Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, China (Macau), India (Goa), and Indonesia, along with scholars, researchers, cultural leaders, and dignitaries from the broader Lusophone world.
The three-day program features keynote lectures, roundtable discussions, cultural exhibitions, academic presentations, and cultural performances showcasing the diverse traditions maintained by Portuguese-descendant communities throughout Asia.
In his opening remarks, Ramos-Horta emphasized the historical significance of these communities and their continued relevance in contemporary Asia.
“Across Asia, Portuguese-descendant communities have survived wars, famines, migrations and political upheaval. They have adapted and endured. They have safeguarded traditions, stories, rituals and unique cuisines. Their survival is an act of defiance against forgetting,” Ramos-Horta stated in his keynote speech.
A major milestone of the conference will be the signing of the Dili Declaration, which formally establishes the Asian Portuguese Communities Association (APCA), a new regional platform dedicated to cultural cooperation, heritage preservation, and knowledge sharing among Portuguese-descendant communities across Asia.
The President highlighted Timor-Leste’s unique position as the only Portuguese-speaking country in Asia and its commitment to strengthening connections between Asian nations and the Portuguese-speaking world. President noted that as Timor-Leste moves toward ASEAN membership, these cultural and historical connections provide important foundations for regional solidarity.
The establishment of APCA represents a significant step forward in providing institutional support for the Asian Portuguese Community, offering a platform for advocacy, research support, and cultural preservation initiatives across the region.
