THE President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, Dr. Jose Ramos-Horta has paid a courtesy call on the Governor General, Sir Bob Dadae at Government House this morning while representing his country for the Melanesian Ocean Summit.
Grand Chief Sir Bob and Dr. Ramos-Horta discussed in brief the two countries’ shared interests in protecting natural rainforests and ocean biodiversity which both nations account for the most diverse and unique in the world.
President Ramos-Horta informed the Governor General that majority of Timor-Leste population is made up of Malayo-Polynesian and Melanesian-Papuan heritages.
“We have great respect for Papua New Guinea which along with Brazil and Indonesia, has the largest rainforest biodiversity in the world and it is also home to the largest Melanesian population in the world,” President Ramos-Horta said.
Timor-Leste officially became the 11th state of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in October 2025. Papua New Guinea has been assigned Special Observer status of the ASEAN since 1975.
“Becoming a member of the ASEAN has opened up immense opportunities for Timor-Leste but along with it also are challenges,” Dr. Ramos-Horta said.
“We need to build infrastructure and our human resources to match opportunities available to us.”
“We appreciate Papua New Guinea’s support towards our bid for ASEAN membership and I want to assure you of my country’s support to PNG in international and regional forums.”
The President suggests closer collaboration between Timor-Leste and PNG particularly in the health sector in which both countries can learn from each other and share experiences on the elimination and control of tropical diseases like Malaria and Rabis and exchange of health professionals including doctors.
Meanwhile, President Ramos-Horta informed the Governor General that he plans to invite local musicians from PNG to Timor-Leste as there is a big fan base of PNG music in Timor-Leste.
“I want to invite PNG musicians to Timor-Leste. We have quite a big following of PNG music fans in Timor-Leste,” he said.
“I also extend an invitation to you (Governor General) to visit Timor-Leste anytime you to wish to. I would also like to return to PNG again and visit the highlands region.”