DÍLI, 23 October 2026 (TATOLI) — Participants in the third edition of the Futuru Líder Ba ASEAN (FLBA) programme have presented 16 group projects proposing policy recommendations and practical solutions to support Timor-Leste’s development, drawing on lessons from other ASEAN member states.
The Action Learning Projects (ALPs) were presented from 12 to 20 October as part of the programme’s certification process. They address 16 priority areas, including entrepreneurship, the digital economy, child stunting, the blue and green economies, higher education and research, public health, education policy, tourism and Timor-Leste’s international image.
Other projects focus on public administration reform, youth and sports, waste management, arts and culture, foreign businesses, women’s leadership and decentralisation.
The projects reflect knowledge and practical experience gained during the 2026 ASEAN Immersion Programme, which took place between July and August. Participants worked in groups and visited nine ASEAN member states: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
During the visits, they engaged with representatives of government institutions, businesses, universities, development organisations and other stakeholders. These exchanges provided opportunities to learn about regional approaches to economic development, human capital development, environmental sustainability, governance and regional cooperation.
Participants then drew on relevant lessons from these experiences to develop proposals that could be adapted to Timor-Leste’s national priorities and development challenges.
The third edition of FLBA was launched by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation in Dili on 12 March 2026. It brings together 120 professionals from around 100 organisations, selected from a pool of 480 applicants.
The participants represent the public administration, private sector, civil society and academia. They also bring diverse professional backgrounds and representation from municipalities across the country.
Funded by the Timor-Leste Government, the 12-month programme is implemented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation under the coordination of Vice-Minister for ASEAN Affairs Milena Maria da Costa Rangel.
The programme aims to strengthen the capacity of young Timorese professionals to contribute to national development and support Timor-Leste’s effective participation in ASEAN institutions and initiatives.
Its activities include an acceleration phase held in April, which focused on human development, leadership, sustainability and economic growth in the ASEAN context. This was followed by the regional immersion programme and the development of the action learning projects.
Established in 2024, FLBA forms part of the government’s efforts to develop a skilled workforce with a strong understanding of ASEAN and the expertise needed to advance Timor-Leste’s engagement with the regional bloc.
The initiative also supports preparations for Timor-Leste’s first ASEAN chairmanship, scheduled for 2029, as the country seeks to strengthen its institutional capacity and regional leadership.
The presentation of the 16 projects marks a further step in the programme, giving participants an opportunity to translate regional learning and professional experience into proposals addressing Timor-Leste’s development needs.
TATOLI