ADB Chief Supports Timor-Leste’s ASEAN Bid, Pledges Stronger Development Ties

By Mohd Iswandi Kasan Anuar

JAKARTA, July 23 (Bernama) -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has welcomed Timor-Leste’s upcoming accession to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

ADB president Masato Kanda said this during his first official visit to the country, and also pledged to expand development support to the island nation, which gained independence from Indonesia in 2002. 

Over a four-day visit that ended Monday, he met President José Ramos-Horta and acting Prime Minister Mariano Assanami Sabino, commending the country’s progress towards ASEAN membership.

“Timor-Leste’s journey from independence to ASEAN membership is a story of resilience and vision. ADB is proud to stand with the people and Government of Timor-Leste at this historic moment,” Kanda said in a statement.

He also met Finance Minister Santina Cardoso and other senior officials, reaffirming ADB’s commitment to support Timor-Leste’s priorities through deeper cooperation in infrastructure, private sector development, youth empowerment and improved livelihoods.

According to ADB, Kanda’s visit, which was the first by an ADB president to a member classified as both fragile and a small island developing state, underscored the bank’s commitment to its most vulnerable members.

He visited the Coffee and Agroforestry Livelihood Improvement Project (CALIP), supported by ADB and Japan, that assists 2,000 farming families in a sector involving 38 per cent of Timorese households and which plays a vital role in diversifying the country’s economy.

Kanda also toured the expansion site of Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport, a project supported by ADB, Australia and Japan, which is expected to more than double annual passenger capacity to over 400,000 by 2030 and meet ASEAN infrastructure standards.

Timor-Leste, with a population of around 1.4 million, applied for ASEAN membership in 2011, gained observer status in 2022, and is progressing towards full integration into the regional bloc.

ADB is a development bank founded in 1966 that supports inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth across Asia-Pacific and has 69 members, including Malaysia.

-- BERNAMA