𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐤𝐨𝐤, 𝟐𝟎 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 — H.E. 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐨𝐬 𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐬 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐬, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, participated in the opening of the 82𝒏𝒅 𝑺𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑼𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝑵𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝑬𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒄 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑺𝒐𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑨𝒔𝒊𝒂 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑷𝒂𝒄𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒄 (𝑬𝑺𝑪𝑨𝑷), held from 20–24 April 2026 at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok. The session was officially opened by H.E. Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand.

Co-hosted by the Republic of Azerbaijan and Kingdom of Thailand, and chaired by H.E. Jeyhun Bayramov, the session brought together Heads of Government, Ministers, senior officials, and key stakeholders from across Asia and the Pacific to discuss opportunities and solutions for a sustainable future.

Guided by the theme, “Leaving No One Behind: Advancing a Society for All Ages in Asia and the Pacific,” discussions focused on demographic change, decent work, productive employment, healthy ageing, women’s economic empowerment, the future of care, and social inclusion.

Speaking under Agenda Item 2, “Opportunities and Solutions for a Sustainable Future,” Minister Bendito reaffirmed Timor-Leste’s commitment to building a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient future. Minister Bendito highlighted Timor-Leste’s dual vulnerability as both a Small Island Developing State and a Least Developed Country, stressing the importance of stronger regional cooperation, accessible climate and development finance, digital transformation, and sustained investment in youth and human capital.

Minister Bendito also underscored that Timor-Leste’s membership in ASEAN and its Chairmanship of the LDC Group on Climate Change 2026–2027 reinforce the country’s commitment to regional solidarity, climate leadership, and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.