Dili, 25 May 2026: ERIA, through its School of Government (So G), paid a courtesy visit to H.E. José Ramos-Horta, President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, at the Palácio Presidencial Nicolau Lobato to coordinate preparations for the upcoming fourth ERIA School of Government Leadership Lecture Series in Jakarta.

During the meeting, Prof. Nobuhiro Aizawa, Dean and Managing Director of the ERIA School of Government, introduced ERIA’s mission and initiatives, including the high-level Leadership Lecture Series. President Ramos-Horta warmly welcomed the delegation and expressed his appreciation for ERIA’s engagement with Timor-Leste and its contributions to regional co-operation in ASEAN.

Prof. Aizawa reaffirmed ERIA’s commitment to supporting Timor-Leste’s development and strengthening regional co-operation. The discussion focused on preparations for the landmark lecture, with Prof. Aizawa outlining the vision and objectives of the Leadership Lecture Series and emphasising its role in preserving institutional memory and promoting policy dialogue in Southeast Asia.

Both parties underscored the significance of the lecture in providing strategic insights as Timor-Leste advances towards full ASEAN membership and prepares for its 2029 ASEAN Chairmanship.

The visit further reinforced the growing partnership between ERIA and Timor-Leste, reflecting a shared commitment to regional stability, human capital development, and institutional capacity-building.