Timor-Leste on Sunday officially became the 11th member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) during the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, marking the bloc’s first expansion in 26 years since Cambodia joined in 1999.

Timor-Leste’s President José Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao attended the signing of the Declaration on the Admission of Timor-Leste into ASEAN.

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Speaking at the ceremony, Gusmao described the milestone as a reaffirmation of ASEAN’s vision of a united family of nations. “Today, history is made. Timor-Leste has been admitted as the 11th Member State of ASEAN. For our people, this is not only a dream realised but also a powerful affirmation of our journey—one marked by resilience, determination, and hope,” he said.

“For ASEAN, it is

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