At the invitation of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Timor Leste Bendito dos Santos Freitas, the Secretary-General of ASEAN Dr Kao Kim Hourn will conduct an Official Visit to the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, on 1-4 April 2024.

In preparations for Timor-Leste’s journey towards full membership of ASEAN, Dr Kao will lead the ASEAN Secretariat team consisting of the three pillars of the ASEAN Community as well as the ASEAN Connectivity to hold bilateral meetings with President José Ramos-Horta, Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão, President of the National Parliament and Head of the Parliamentary Benches Maria Fernanda Lay and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Bendito dos Santos Freitas, among others. SG Dr Kao will also be meeting with the Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and prominent private sectors representatives. During the visit, the SG Dr Kao will also engage with the young future leaders and Resident Ambassadors of ASEAN Member States to Timor-Leste.