KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 26 — Timor-Leste’s accession into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) is a “dream realised” and a powerful affirmation of the Timorese people’s journey marked by resilience, determination, and hope, said Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão.
The milestone also reaffirms Asean’s vision of a truly united family of nations bound by shared values, common aspirations, and a collective destiny.
“Today, history is made. Timor-Leste has been admitted as the 11th Member State of Asean. For the people of Timor-Leste, this is not only a dream realised, but a powerful affirmation of our journey; one marked by resilience, determination, and hope.
“For Asean, it is the continuation of a vision: a truly united family of nations, bound together by shared values, common aspirations, and a collective destiny,” he said during the signing of the Declaration on the Admission of Timor-Leste into Asean at the 47th Asean Summit in the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre today.
Gusmão expressed deep gratitude to all Asean member states, the Asean chair, and the Asean Secretariat for their trust, encouragement, and unwavering solidarity throughout Timor-Leste’s long and purposeful path to membership.
“Since we applied in 2011, we have prepared our institutions, reformed our policies, and strengthened our readiness — guided by the wisdom, support, and patience of Asean and its partners,” he said.
Timor-Leste’s accession is a testament to the spirit of its people — “a young democracy, born from struggle, now embracing a new era of collaboration and growth within one of the world’s most dynamic regions.”
Gusmão added that Timor-Leste joins Asean “with humility and with pride,” fully embracing the bloc’s core values of mutual respect, peaceful cooperation, unity in diversity, and regional solidarity.
“Timor-Leste enters Asean with full commitment to its Charter, ready to be a constructive, peaceful, and devoted member. We pledge to work with all Member States to keep our region peaceful, open, and prosperous, and to be part of efforts to build resilience, deepen unity, and ensure that no one is left behind,” he said.
Highlighting the opportunities ahead, the Prime Minister said Asean membership brings immense prospects in trade, investment, education, and the digital economy.
“We are ready to learn, to innovate, and to uphold good governance, strengthening our institutions as we walk together toward sustainable development,” he said.
Gusmão added that the nation’s Asean journey “is not the end of a journey — this is the beginning of an inspiring new chapter.”
“Together, we will advance the Asean Community Vision 2045 — a peaceful, prosperous, resilient, and people-centred Asean, with Timor-Leste as an active contributor,” he said.
Timor-Leste officially became the 11th member state of Asean today, marking a historic milestone for both the young nation and the regional bloc.
The accession was sealed with the signing of the Declaration on the Admission of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste into Asean, witnessed by Asean leaders and dignitaries, including Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as Asean chair.
