KUALA LUMPUR, October 28 — ASEAN officially welcomed Timor-Leste as its 11th member yesterday, marking a historic milestone in the bloc’s community-building journey.
The declaration of admission was signed at the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, chaired by Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, followed by the ceremonial raising of Timor-Leste’s national flag alongside other ASEAN nations.
Timor-Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão described the nation’s entry as a “dream realised” — one rooted not in economic ambition, but in shared identity and solidarity. “
We come to learn, not to demand. Our motivation was never about immediate gains, but about belonging to a community we are geographically and culturally part of,” he said, adding that ASEAN membership will help transform the country’s isolation into influence through regional cooperation.
Gusmão emphasised that Timor-Leste’s commitment to ASEAN is grounded in humility and partnership. “Standing alone, our voices may not be heard. But within ASEAN, our voice will resonate through this great community of nations,” he said.
The Prime Minister also acknowledged challenges such as limited arable land and the effects of climate change, while stressing that the nation values knowledge exchange and sustainable development over monetary benefits.
For Timor-Leste — one of Asia’s youngest and poorest nations — joining ASEAN represents not only recognition but also an opportunity to strengthen governance, attract investment, and integrate into the region’s growing digital and economic landscape.
“This is not the end of our journey,” Gusmão said. “It is the beginning of an inspiring new chapter — one of resilience, cooperation, and shared destiny.” Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim hailed Timor-Leste’s admission as a defining moment that “completes the ASEAN family,” reaffirming the bloc’s vision of unity and mutual respect.
The event was celebrated with emotion and applause, symbolising a region that continues to evolve through inclusivity and collective progress.
