The admission ceremony of Timor-Leste into ASEAN during the ASEAN Summit 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (AP)
On February 23, Dili held its first meeting of the National Council for Timor-Leste’s ASEAN Chairmanship led by its Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão. The PM stated that the anticipated ASEAN Summit in 2029 would be the largest event in scale to be organised in the country, with PM Gusmão stating that “the eyes of the world will be on us.” Consequently, its preparations would require strengthening national infrastructure, improving public service, coordinating cross-government cooperation, and ensuring sound financial management.
To note, Timor-Leste formally joined the regional bloc last year at the ASEAN Summit in Malaysia, after it applied to join in 2011.
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