East Timor has officially joined the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as its 11th member state, a significant achievement celebrated during a formal ceremony in Kuala Lumpur. Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao hailed this moment as a 'dream realized,' highlighting the immense opportunities for trade and investment that membership brings. The accession follows a lengthy 14-year wait, with East Timor having first applied for membership in 2011. The country, which gained independence from Indonesia in 2002, is among Asia's poorest, with a GDP of approximately $2 billion. Its membership in ASEAN is expected to provide access to free trade deals and investment opportunities, crucial for diversifying its economy, which heavily relies on the oil and gas sector. East Timorese President Jose Ramos-Horta, a long-time advocate for ASEAN membership, expressed hopes that the country could contribute to regional stability and conflict resolution efforts within ASEAN.