PM Wong awarded Timor-Leste's top honour for Singapore's nation-building support

Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong was conferred Timor-Leste's highest honour, the Order of Timor-Leste (Grand Collar), by President Jose Ramos-Horta on Friday, 3 July 2026, during a two-day official visit to Dili.

The ceremony was held at the Presidential Palace in Dili. The award recognises Singapore's contributions to Timor-Leste's national development and its support for the country's accession to the Association of South-east Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The Order of Timor-Leste is conferred on Timorese nationals and foreigners who have made significant contributions to the country.

Prime Minister Wong, who also serves as finance minister, said he received the award "not as an individual but on behalf of Singapore and the many Singaporeans who have contributed to the friendship between our two countries".

"The award belongs to those who have served here over the years, conducting training, sharing professional knowledge, building capabilities and living and working alongside our Timorese friends in support of nation-building," he said in his acceptance speech.

The award reflects a bond forged even before Timor-Leste's independence in 2002, Prime Minister Wong said. More than 1,000 Singaporean personnel served in international peacekeeping efforts between 1999 and 2012, during the country's transition to peace and stability.

In his acceptance speech, Prime Minister Wong said Singapore had welcomed more than 1,300 Timorese officials to its training programmes, describing the partnership as one of "mutual learning and mutual respect".

Prime Minister Wong's visit was the first by a Singapore prime minister to Timor-Leste, and came a year after the country became a full member of ASEAN.

Earlier on Friday, Prime Minister Wong held a joint press conference with Timor-Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao at the Government Palace in Dili. He announced that Singapore would open selected sectors and occupations to Timorese workers from next year.

"This will create new opportunities for Timorese while strengthening our business and people-to-people links," Prime Minister Wong said.

Prime Minister Gusmao called the move "a significant development of the relationship between our countries", adding that it reflected confidence in the Timorese people. He said working in Singapore would give Timorese workers training, skills and experience, as well as income for their families.

Prime Minister Wong described the scheme as a "win-win" for both nations, saying it would let Timorese workers gain experience before returning home while helping meet Singapore's manpower needs in selected sectors.

Prime Minister Wong outlined other areas for closer cooperation. Singapore's Foreign Minister, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, and his Timor-Leste counterpart, Bendito dos Santos Freitas, will set up a regular consultation mechanism to discuss bilateral, regional and international developments.

Singapore will also continue supporting Timor-Leste's integration into ASEAN, Prime Minister Wong said, adding that the country's next priority was to prepare for its chairmanship of the regional bloc in 2029. Timor-Leste has indicated it will be ready to host the 2029 ASEAN Summit.

The enhanced Singapore Timor-Leste ASEAN Readiness Support (eSTARS) package, launched during Prime Minister Gusmao's visit to Singapore last year, will be expanded to include more ASEAN-related programmes, including workshops on the duties of the ASEAN chairmanship for officials in Dili.

On the economic front, Prime Minister Wong said Singapore remained one of Timor-Leste's biggest investors, with Singaporean companies exploring opportunities from wholesale trade to renewable energy.

Singapore will also deepen healthcare and education cooperation with Timor-Leste. The National University Hospital and Timor-Leste's Ministry of Health intend to sign a memorandum of understanding this month, covering health workforce development and public health capability, Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

The two countries will also cooperate on education, to help develop school leaders who can shape the next generation in Timor-Leste, Prime Minister Wong said.

Bilateral ties between the two countries have grown, Prime Minister Wong said, pointing to Singapore's opening of a resident embassy in Dili in 2024 and the appointment of its first resident ambassador, Teo Lay Cheng, earlier this year.

Prime Minister Wong said he reaffirmed Singapore's commitment to helping build up Timor-Leste's human capacity during his discussions with President Ramos-Horta, describing the country as youthful, filled with energy and promise.

"The drive and determination of the youths of Timor-Leste will not only propel this country to achieve its national goals, but will breathe new life into our region and make ASEAN even more vibrant," he said.