PRESS RELEASE

Philippine Embassy, Canberra

1 Moonah Place, Yarralumla, ACT 2600
www.philembassy.org.au    *Tel. No. 02-6273-2535*

27 October 2025, CANBERRA – Ambassador Antonio Morales represented the Philippines at the reception hosted by H.E. Inês Almeida and the Embassy of Timor-Leste to celebrate Timor-Leste’s admission as the 11th member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on 27 October 2025.

The event was attended by the ASEAN Committee in Canberra (ACC), members of the diplomatic corps, as well as Australian officials including Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Federal Member for Solomon Hon. Luke Gosling MP, Federal Member for Fowler Dai Le MP; NSW Minister for Small Business Janelle Saffin, and Chief of the Australian Army Lieutenant General Simon Stuart.

In her welcome remarks, H.E. Almeida read the message of Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, who expressed deep appreciation to the ASEAN Chair, ASEAN Member States, and the ASEAN Secretariat for their steadfast support throughout Timor-Leste’s journey toward membership. She underscored Timor-Leste’s commitment to work with all ASEAN Member States in maintaining a peaceful, open, and prosperous region.

In her keynote address, Foreign Minister Penny Wong conveyed the Australian Government’s congratulations to Timor-Leste and ASEAN. Minister Wong reaffirmed Australia’s support for ASEAN Centrality and discussed Australia's technical assistance to Timor-Leste in key priority areas such as trade rules and biosecurity standards, connectivity, infrastructure and workforce development.

As Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Canberra (ACC), H.E. Arjaree Sriratanaban, Ambassador of Thailand, welcomed Timor-Leste’s admission to ASEAN and emphasized that Timor-Leste’s accession reflects ASEAN’s inclusiveness, growing regional cooperation, and enduring unity.

In his remarks, Ambassador Morales congratulated Timor-Leste on its historic admission to ASEAN and reaffirmed the Philippines’ consistent and steadfast support for Timor-Leste’s path toward full membership. He also underscored the Philippines’ commitment as ASEAN Chair for 2026 to work closely with all ASEAN Member States and Dialogue Partners, including Australia, to advance a people- centered and future-ready ASEAN in line with the ASEAN Vision 2045. He also highlighted the Philippines’ priorities in promoting peace and security, strengthening maritime cooperation, and accelerating climate action, and leading the commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) in 2026.

Timor-Leste officially became a member of ASEAN following the Signing Ceremony of the Declaration on the Admission of Timor-Leste into ASEAN at the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Kuala Lumpur on 26 October 2025.

The year-long ASEAN Chairmanship will be handed over by Malaysia to the Philippines during the Closing Ceremony of the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits on 28 October 2025. - END