Timor-Leste becomes Asean’s 11th member, marking a historic milestone for regional unity and cooperation.
KUALA LUMPUR: Timor-Leste was formally admitted as Asean’s 11th member today, marking a historic milestone for both the regional bloc and Southeast Asia’s youngest nation.
The admission ceremony, witnessed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the ten Asean leaders, took place during the opening of the 47th Asean Summit here.
Speaking at the summit, Anwar underscored Malaysia’s role as Asean Chair this year and the importance of unity, dialogue and cooperation amid mounting global challenges.
“Timor-Leste’s historic admission into Asean today gives new meaning to that vision,” he said, congratulating President José Manuel Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão.
“Its place here completes the Asean family, reaffirming our shared destiny and deep sense of regional unity.”
Timor-Leste’s inclusion comes as Asean intensifies efforts to boost economic integration, digital connectivity, sustainable growth and regional peace.
Anwar also highlighted ongoing initiatives to promote peace in Myanmar, deepen intra-regional trade and advance sustainable energy and digital transformation.
“With Timor-Leste joining, the bloc grows not just in size, but in spirit,” he said.
“The future of Asean will be written by choice — by the choices we make today.”
The last nation to join Asean before Timor-Leste was Cambodia which became the bloc’s 10th member on April 30, 1999.
Timor-Leste gained independence from Indonesia in 2002 following a UN-supervised referendum in 1999. It formally applied for Asean membership in 2011, reflecting its long-held aspiration to be part of the regional community.
In November 2022, Asean leaders agreed in principle to admit Timor-Leste, granting it observer status and a roadmap towards full membership — a process now brought to completion.
