Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong at the Conferment of the Order of Timor-Leste at the Presidential Palace of Timor-Leste on 3 July 2026. PM Wong was on an Official Visit to Timor-Leste, from 2 to 3 July 2026.

Your Excellency President José Ramos-Horta,Excellencies, and Distinguished guests,Ladies and gentlemen,

I would like to express my deepest appreciation for the Order of Timor-Leste (Grand Collar). This is a great honour which I accept with humility and profound gratitude.

I receive this honour 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. We are very grateful to the Timorese people who have welcomed Singaporeans with friendship, generosity and kindness.

Singapore has been privileged to walk alongside Timor-Leste on different stages of your nation building journey. Through technical cooperation, capability-building and people-to-people exchanges, we have sought to be a steadfast and trusted partner. We are proud to have welcomed more than 1,300 Timorese officials to our training programmes. And as Timor-Leste embarks on a new chapter as a full member of ASEAN, Singapore remains committed to supporting your continued development and success.

Our partnership has been one of mutual learning and mutual respect. Singapore, too, has learnt much from Timor-Leste. Your country's journey reminds us that a nation's future is shaped not by its size or natural resources, but by the courage of its people, the strength of its convictions, and the resilience to overcome adversity. These are qualities that have defined Timor-Leste's remarkable story, and they continue to inspire all of us.

Timor-Leste's accession to ASEAN marks an important new chapter – for your country, for ASEAN, and for the partnership between our two nations. Singapore looks forward to working closely with Timor-Leste to advance peace, stability and prosperity in our region.

President Ramos-Horta, I accept this honour with deep gratitude. It strengthens our resolve to deepen the enduring friendship between our nations, and to work together for the benefit of our peoples for many more years to come. Thank you very much.