ASEAN Future Forum - significant platform for forward-looking discussions on regional challenges

In an interview with the press ahead of the Timor-Leste's Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao's official visit to Viet Nam and participation in the 3rd ASEAN Future Forum from June 7-10, the Ambassador praised the forum for bringing together ASEAN leaders and dialogue partners to exchange views on long-term regional issues.

He described the AFF as more than just a gathering of officials, characterizing it as an important Track 1.5 platform that encourages forward-looking discussions on regional challenges, including peace, security, digital transformation, and sustainable development.

The Ambassador noted that the latest edition of the forum had expanded its scope to include political party roundtables and city leadership meetings, making it a more comprehensive and multidimensional platform.

In his view, the AFF has emerged as a significant venue where ASEAN leaders can discuss shared visions, policy priorities, strategies, and challenges.

He expressed confidence that the forum could contribute to the implementation of ASEAN Vision 2045 by helping member states coordinate their responses to regional and global uncertainties.

Ambassador Pereira stressed the strategic importance of Southeast Asia, describing the region as one of the most peaceful in the world and highlighting its critical geographical position connecting the Pacific and Indian Oceans through key maritime routes.

He also emphasized ASEAN's substantial economic potential, supported by a population of around 700 million people.

According to the diplomat, the AFF plays a vital role in facilitating discussions on economic cooperation and helping member states identify ways to strengthen regional integration. Such efforts, he said, would reinforce ASEAN's unity and capacity to respond to emerging global challenges.

Regarding the role of Viet Nam–Timor-Leste cooperation in advancing the ASEAN Community and ASEAN Community Vision 2045, the Ambassador noted that Timor-Leste already maintains an embassy in Viet Nam, expressing hope that Viet Nam would continue to enhance its diplomatic presence in Timor-Leste.

Strong diplomatic missions facilitate exchanges among governments, businesses, and citizens, thereby deepening bilateral relations, said the diplomat.

Timor-Leste sees vast potential for deeper cooperation with Viet Nam

In terms of the prospects for future cooperation between Timor-Leste and Viet Nam, the Ambassador held that the relationship between the two countries has already achieved significant progress, particularly in telecommunications.

He highlighted the important contribution of Viettel's subsidiary, Telemor, to Timor-Leste's development, stating that recent high-level exchanges between the two countries had opened discussions on expanding cooperation into new sectors.

According to the Ambassador, Timor-Leste sees great potential for collaboration with Viet Nam in fisheries, agriculture, and aquaculture.

As a maritime nation with abundant yet largely untapped marine resources, Timor-Leste hopes to benefit from Viet Nam's expertise and technology in these areas.

He also pointed out that the southern region of Timor-Leste possesses fertile land suitable for agricultural development and that Vietnamese experience could help improve the country's agricultural productivity and aquaculture systems.

Beyond agriculture and fisheries, the diplomat identified oil and gas, as well as mining, as promising areas for bilateral cooperation.

In addition, he stressed the importance of collaboration in education, science, technology, and research. The Timor-Leste Embassy in Viet Nam has been working closely with several Vietnamese universities, with the expectation that formal cooperation agreements will be signed in the near future.

Furthermore, Ambassador Pereira mentioned the possibility of investment cooperation through Timor-Leste's Sovereign Wealth Fund, which had accumulated approximately US$18.9 billion by the end of 2023, adding that opportunities for investment in Viet Nam could be explored in the future.

Finally, he highlighted the cultural affinities between the peoples of Viet Nam and Timor-Leste. Strengthening cultural exchanges, he concluded, would not only deepen bilateral relations but also contribute to the broader goals of ASEAN community-building and regional integration./.