Timor-Leste became the 11th member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) during the 47th ASEAN Summit in Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur today. 

Timor-Leste’s Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao joined the ASEAN leaders for the signing of documents confirming the nation’s inclusion in the bloc. The leaders then posed for a family picture. This is the first expansion in the group since 1999.

 

The ASEAN was established in Thailand’s Bangkok in 1967, with the signing of the ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration) by the Founding Fathers of ASEAN: Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Brunei Darussalam joined ASEAN in 1984, followed by Vietnam in 1995, Laos and Myanmar in 1997, and Cambodia in 1999.

Malaysia, as the Chair of ASEAN, is hosting the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits under the theme “Inclusivity and Sustainability” in Kuala Lumpur from October 26-28.