KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 26 — Timor-Leste was officially admitted as a permanent member of Asean today, more than a decade after it first applied to join the regional bloc.
The milestone was formalised through the signing of the declaration of admission during the 47th Asean Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
The admission document was signed by leaders of all Asean member states, led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in his capacity as Asean Chair.
Following that, the signed declaration was handed over to Asean secretary-general Kao Kim Hourn, before Timor-Leste's flag was placed on the main stage of the Asean Summit, joining the other member states.
In his speech following Timor-Leste’s official accession as Asean’s 11th member state, Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão described the moment as not only a dream for his people, but also a powerful affirmation of the nation’s resilience.
“On behalf of the government and people of Timor-Leste, I extend my deepest gratitude to Asean member states, the Asean Chair, the Asean Secretariat, and our dialogue partners. Your trust, encouragement, and unwavering solidarity made this possible,” he said.
“Our accession is a testament to the spirit of our people — a young democracy born through struggle, now embracing a new era of collaboration and growth within one of the world’s most dynamic regions.”
He said Timor-Leste enters Asean with full commitment to the bloc, and is ready to be a constructive, peaceful and devoted member, pledging to work with all partners to keep the region peaceful and prosperous.
"For us, this new beginning brings immense new opportunities in trade, investment, education, and the digital economy. We are ready to learn, innovate and uphold good governance."
Earlier, when opening the summit, Anwar said Timor-Leste’s historic admission into Asean gives new meaning to Asean Community Vision 2045, which calls on unity and centrality.
"Its place here completes the Asean family and reaffirms our shared destiny and deep sense of regional kinship. Within this community, Timor-Leste’s development and its strategic autonomy will find firm and lasting support," he said.
Timor-Leste, the youngest country in Southeast Asia, applied for Asean membership in 2011, nine years after achieving independence on May 20, 2002.
In February, Malaysia announced a contribution of US$200,000 to the Timor-Leste Unit at the Asean Secretariat in Jakarta to accelerate the full membership process, as well as providing technical training through the Malaysia Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP), which has trained 319 Timor-Leste officials in various fields.
