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Timor-Leste is New SEAMEO Member

SEAMEO INNOTECH a flag-raising ceremony on 27 May 2006 for Timor-Leste right after its proclamation as the 11th member of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization during the 41st SEAMEO Council Conference in Singapore on 21-23 March 2006.

H.E. Amando Jesulito V. Jimenez, Consul Generalof the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste in the Philippines, raised the Timor-Leste flag, assisted by Center Director Dr. Erlinda C. Pefianco. In her welcome remarks, Dr. Pefianco said she was glad that SEAMEO INNOTECH was the first to raise the flag of Timor-Leste and the she looked forward to a fruitful partnership with the newest member of SEAMEO. Present to witness the event, SEAMEO Secretariat Director Dr. Edilberto de Jesus said that Timor-Leste's membership signifies more work for SEAMEO INNOTECH in the pursuit of educational development in member countries.

The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste became the youngest country in the world by the turn of the new century. recently, it celebrated its fourth year independence anniversary on 20 May 2006.The republic became a province of Indonesia after the occupation of Portugal in 1975. In 1999, its move towards independence began through a referendum and hthe settip up of a United Nations-administered government to stop the violence that ensued after the political exercise.

The SEAMEO and its units joined the UN-launched global efforts to rehabilitate Timor-Leste and to hep the country become independed. in 2002, the SEAMEO Secretariat introduced the Organization to Timor-Leste's Minister of Education, Culture, and Youth anfg sports. Starting with the 38th SEAMEO Council Conference in March 2003, the country was givien an Observer status. After it formally expressed interest in regular membership in 2004, a proposal for Timor-Leste's membership was endorsed during the 40th SEAMEO Council Counference hosted by Vietnam. The SEAMEO High Officials Meeting in November 2005 discussed the proposal in detail. In March 2006, shortly before the 41st SEAMEO Council Conference in Singapore, the Ministry of Education and Culture of Timor-Leste confirmed its Government's approval of the country's participation in the Organization's programmes and activities.

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