An official ceremony took place to name Ayr’s Roy Trivedy as Honorary Consul in Scotland of Timor-Leste, an island in south-east Asia.

A Scots humanitarian worker has spoken of his pride after he was inaugurated as the honorary consul to one of the world’s youngest countries.

An official ceremony took place on Friday as Ayr’s Roy Trivedy was confirmed as Honorary Consul in Scotland of Timor-Leste, an island in south-east Asia.

The event involved a flag raising ceremony in the front garden Roy’s home in Midton Road, now the official base of Ayrshire’s first ever consulate office.

On hand at the ceremony, a diplomatic first for Ayr, were His Excellency Joao Paolo da Costa Rangel, the Ambassador of Temor-Leste to the UK, MSP Sharon Dowey, South Ayrshire Provost Iain Campbell, along with Roy’s colleagues and friends.

Also watching on were proud members of Roy’s family – wife Teresa, daughters Maya and Asha, and Roy’s older sister Dipty, who came up from Worcestershire.

The Great Britain and Northern Ireland National Anthem was performed by a brass band, as was ‘Flower of Scotland,’ Scotland’s National anthem.

And just before the flag raising ceremony, the national anthem of Temor-Leste, or to give it its full name the Democratic Republic of Timor Leste, was also performed.

Roy said: “I’m so proud and so pleased – and it turned out to be a beautiful day! This strengthens the link between Timor-Leste, Scotland and Ayrshire.

“This is now the start of another journey in bringing Timor-Leste to Scotland and taking Scotland to Timor-Leste.”

Roy, 65, spent five years on the island after embarking on an assignment for the United Nations to help develop the country.

Now a piece of Ayr’s Midton Road will forever be linked to the small country thousands of miles away in the Timor sea.

His Excellency Joao Paolo da Costa Rangel, the Ambassador of Timor-Leste to the UK, said: “When we were thinking of opening an Honorary Consulate office here in Scotland, Roy was the obvious choice. He knows our country very well and the country knows him very well. We also get along so well.

“Roy’s background is in the professional area of development and it’s thanks to him that the country is moving forward.”

Timor-Leste (East Timor), with its population of 1.2 million people, is the world’s fourth youngest country behind South Sudan, Montenegro and Serbia. It was occupied by Portugal from the 16th century until November 28, 1975.

But just days after the Portuguese left, the land was invaded and occupied by Indonesia.

The occupation was marked by cruelty and violence until 1999, when the UN became responsible for the country’s transition towards independence.

The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste achieved independence in May 2002, and became a UN member state in September of that year.

In December 2012, the UN ended its peacekeeping mission in Timor-Leste, but still keeps a presence.

In economic terms, the country is on the verge of joining the ASEAN trading bloc with other south east Asian countries and this agreement will make a huge difference in terms of trade and investment in the country.

Ambassador, Mr Rangel said: “Roy was there as the UN resident co-ordinator from 2018 to 2022, so he played an important role with the government there.

“By May this year we will be joining ASEAN and Roy’s contribution in our path to joining was immense. He’s been very influential and contributed a lot. We owe much to him and now he’s part of the first Honorary Consulate office to have opened up in Ayr, Scotland.”

Speaking at the flag raising ceremony, Louis Mulvaney, Southeast Asia Development Adviser for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, said: “This marks another great day in the UK-Timorese relationship over the past 12 months. I’d like to say a personal congratulations to Roy who’s been a good friend to me over the past couple of years and to the Foreign Office.”

Timor-Leste Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, sent a special message to the gathering saying: “The opening of our new consulate office is more than just a diplomatic milestone. It is a symbol of a deep and enduring friendship between Timor-Leste and the United Kingdom.

“A friendship that has been strengthened by the 30,000 Timorese who have made the UK their home over the years. Timor-Leste is a young nation but one with unshakable spirit.

“For centuries we fought for our right to exist and be a free and sovereign nation. After a long and painful struggle we gained our independence in 2002 with the support of the international community.”

He added: “Thank you Roy for your outstanding commitment to Timor-Leste. Your contribution past and present has left a meaningful impact on our nation and we appreciate your time and dedication. The role of an Honorary Consul is not just ceremonial; it’s a bridge between nations.”

In 2022, Roy received the Order of Timor-Leste- like the French Legion d’honneur- from Timor-Leste President, His Excellency President Dr Jose Ramos-Horta.

The honour was in recognition of Roy’s ‘outstanding services and contributions’ to Timor-Leste, as the country’s United Nations Resident Co-ordinator.

Roy added: “Timor-Leste is a young nation that can really benefit from experience elsewhere. For me, this is a new part of my contribution to society and I want to contribute in a positive way to those links between the UK and Timor-Leste.”

Roy, originally from Keyna, came to the UK with his parents as a young boy and first stayed in London.

He previously worked for the UK Government as a civil servant.

Some of his overseas postings included Papua New Guinea and Tanzania.

When his work in the Department for International Development came around, Roy and his wife Teresa made the move north and settled in Ayr in 2008.

Roy is also a board member of Action Aid UK and volunteers his time as a trishaw rider for Creggan Bhan Care Home, taking residents out on trips around the streets of Ayr.