TOKYO, 11 December 2025 — Her Excellency Maria Terezinha da Silva Viegas, Ambassador of Timor-Leste to Japan, accompanied by Counsellor Celio Moniz, participated in a luncheon marking the formal handover of the Chairmanship of the ASEAN Committee in Tokyo (ACT) from the Embassy of Myanmar to the Embassy of the Philippines, which will assume the Chair for the January–June 2026 term.
Handover of ACT Chairmanship
Formal Transition of the ACT Chairmanship
The luncheon served as a formal platform for the transition of leadership, reflecting the steadfast coordination and solidarity among ASEAN diplomatic missions in Tokyo.
Reflections from the Outgoing Chair
In his opening remarks, the Ambassador of Myanmar to Japan, H.E. Mr. Soe Han, highlighted that during Myanmar’s tenure, ACT initiated a request to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan for a joint call by ASEAN Heads of Mission on the Japanese Foreign Minister. He expressed his hope that the Philippines, as the incoming Chair, would continue this initiative to further solidify ACT–Japan relations. Ambassador Soe Han also noted ACT’s success in fostering ASEAN unity through initiatives such as the ASEAN Family Day celebrations.
Vision of the Incoming Chair
Mr. Christian De Jesus, Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of the Philippines, expressed his honor in assuming the Chairmanship. He reaffirmed the Philippine Embassy’s commitment to building upon existing initiatives, particularly in strengthening ASEAN’s collective engagement with Japan and advancing the planned meeting with the Japanese Foreign Ministry.
The event concluded with a cordial luncheon, celebrating the enduring spirit of ASEAN fraternity.
