Leaders Look Forward to Welcome Timor-Leste into ASEAN Family
Vientiane, Oct 9 (Bernama) —
ASEAN leaders are pleased with the progress in implementing the Roadmap for Timor-Leste’s Full Membership in the grouping. Prime Minister of Laos, Sonexay Siphandone, who presides over the 44th ASEAN Summits (plenary session) and the 45th Summit (retreat session), said leaders of the member bloc are looking forward to the youngest nation in Southeast Asia’s full membership in the ASEAN family in the near future.
44th ASEAN Summit Review
The meeting reviewed the achievements made thus far in the strengthening of the ASEAN Community-building and charted out future directions for ASEAN. The meeting commended the progress in implementing the ASEAN Vision 2025 and the successful implementation of nine priorities of Lao’s ASEAN Chairmanship 2024. The priorities focus on enhancing regional integration and connectivity in the economy; forging an inclusive and sustainable future; transforming for the digital age; developing strategic plans to implement the ASEAN Vision 2045 with the aim of building a resilient, innovative, dynamic, and people-centred ASEAN Community; enhancing climate and environmental resilience; promoting culture and arts; advancing the role of women and children; and strengthening health resilience.
ASEAN Leaders’ Review and Decisions
During the 44th ASEAN Summit, the ASEAN Leaders’ Review and Decisions on the Implementation of the Five-Point Consensus were adopted. The meeting also discussed ASEAN’s relations with external partners and its future direction, with the aim of enhancing relations and intensifying cooperation in accordance with ASEAN Way, while upholding ASEAN Centrality in the evolving regional architecture, thereby contributing to the ASEAN Community-building process as well as the maintenance and promotion of peace, stability and development in the region and the world.
Future Directions
The implementation of these priority areas is to ensure the continuity of strengthening of the ASEAN Community, making it more integrated, connected, and resilient. This will enable ASEAN to respond to various pressing challenges and seize opportunities to bring about benefits to ASEAN peoples amidst complex and rapid geo-political and geo-economic changes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the 44th ASEAN Summit and the 45th ASEAN Summit (retreat session) have laid the foundation for further enhancing ASEAN’s connectivity and resilience in the future. ASEAN leaders are looking forward to welcome Timor-Leste into the ASEAN family, and the grouping is expected to continue playing a significant role in promoting peace, stability, and development in the region and the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the current status of Timor-Leste’s membership in ASEAN?
A: Timor-Leste was granted official observer status and received in-principle approval to become a member of the ASEAN during the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits in Cambodia in 2022.
Q: What are the priorities of Lao’s ASEAN Chairmanship 2024?
A: The priorities focus on enhancing regional integration and connectivity in the economy; forging an inclusive and sustainable future; transforming for the digital age; developing strategic plans to implement the ASEAN Vision 2045 with the aim of building a resilient, innovative, dynamic, and people-centred ASEAN Community; enhancing climate and environmental resilience; promoting culture and arts; advancing the role of women and children; and strengthening health resilience.