Timor-Leste officially joins Asean
A group of journalists representing Timor-Leste were seen cheering joyfully as they witnessed the historic occasion.
KUALA LUMPUR – Around 30 delegates from the Prime Minister’s Office, including journalists from Timor-Leste, grew emotional as their country was officially welcomed as the 11th member of Asean.
SMNews Timor-Leste journalist Remizia Boavida said the historic moment held deep significance for her as one of those covering the entire 47th Asean Summit.
“Our country is now part of Asean. We feel incredibly proud and truly appreciate this achievement.
“Our heartfelt thanks to Malaysia as the 2025 Asean Chair and to all its member states,” she said.
Remizia said this when interviewed by reporters at the International Media Centre (IMC) located at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) on Sunday.
A group of journalists representing Timor-Leste were seen cheering joyfully as they witnessed the historic occasion.
A milestone was marked today when Timor-Leste was formally accepted as Asean’s 11th member after submitting its Instrument of Accession to the Asean Charter and the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ).
Timor-Leste Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao also delivered remarks following the nation’s entry into Asean
After gaining independence in 2002, Timor-Leste had expressed its aspiration to join Asean as part of regional integration and officially applied for membership in 2011.
The accession process took considerable time due to several factors, including economic preparedness, institutional capacity, and the need for consensus among Asean member states.
During the 40th and 41st Asean Summits held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, in November 2022, Asean leaders had in principle agreed to admit Timor-Leste as the organisation’s 11th member.
The agreement also granted Timor-Leste observer status and outlined a roadmap towards full membership, including capacity-building support.
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