During the Asian Development Bank (ADB) 2025 Annual Meeting in Milan, ADB President Masato Kanda reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to supporting Timor-Leste’s economic development and its path toward full ASEAN membership. In high-level bilateral meetings held today, President Kanda met with Timor-Leste’s Minister of Finance, Santina Jose Rodrigues Ferreira, and Minister of Planning and Strategic Investment, Gastão Francisco de Sousa.
President Kanda emphasized ADB’s continued assistance to Timor-Leste, particularly in providing technical support and capacity-building programs to aid the country’s ASEAN accession process.
“President Kanda began the meeting by expressing ADB’s strong commitment to Timor-Leste’s efforts to become a full ASEAN member,” said Minister Santina. “ADB has already delivered technical assistance for key studies related to ASEAN accession, as well as for Timor-Leste’s engagement in the World Trade Organization.”
Minister Santina also highlighted ongoing fiscal reforms, including preparations to introduce a Value-Added Tax (VAT) system. “The Ministry of Finance is currently reviewing reforms needed to implement VAT. We are relying on ADB’s expertise to help develop the legal framework, systems, and capacity tailored to Timor-Leste’s needs,” she noted.
Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Milena Rangel expressed confidence that Timor-Leste is on track to meet ASEAN’s membership criteria. “We are proud to have successfully implemented the Roadmap, which includes seven core criteria. While some were relatively straightforward, others were complex and required coordinated national effort,” she said. “We have engaged all key stakeholders—from government institutions to civil society and the private sector—and have informed ASEAN member states that Timor-Leste is ready.”
Vice Minister Rangel also mentioned feedback from ASEAN member countries suggesting that Timor-Leste could officially join the regional bloc as early as May or October this year. “This is not due to any waivers or exceptions. It is because we have met all seven criteria comprehensively,” she stated.
Independent policy analyst Guteriano Neves, writing in Southeast Asia Globe, underscored the importance of strengthening human capital to ensure Timor-Leste’s competitiveness in the region. “Improving human capital requires political will and top-level leadership. Addressing institutional and administrative weaknesses is vital for Timor-Leste’s successful integration into ASEAN,” Neves said.
As Timor-Leste advances on the path to regional integration, ADB’s sustained support continues to be a cornerstone of its development journey.
