This series of summits is the second under Malaysia’s ASEAN 2025 Chairmanship, themed “Inclusive and Sustainable,” marking a historic milestone as Timor-Leste officially becomes ASEAN’s 11th member, while Cambodia and Thailand also signed a peace agreement.

The opening ceremony was attended by President Lula da Silva of Brazil, Prime Minister (PM) Mark Carney of Canada, President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, European Council President Antonio Costa, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, as well as representatives from the IMF, World Bank, and several regional and international organizations.

In his opening remarks, Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim warmly welcomed ASEAN leaders, partners, and friends from across continents to the 47th ASEAN Summit. Reflecting on 2025, a year full of volatility challenging ASEAN economies as well as the commitment to cooperation, dialogue, and understanding amid divisions, PM Anwar emphasized ASEAN’s resilience, grounded in the firm belief that respect and justice bind member states together. He noted that the peace agreement between Cambodia and Thailand demonstrates the power of trust and the courage to choose reconciliation and peace.

Congratulating Timor-Leste on becoming the 11th member of ASEAN, PM Anwar highlighted this historic milestone as a contribution to completing the ASEAN family and reaffirmed ASEAN’s commitment to support Timor-Leste in development and strategic autonomy.

Looking ahead, PM Anwar stressed that ASEAN must further strengthen cooperation for regional peace and prosperity, deepening economic integration, expanding trade, enhancing competitiveness, implementing economic cooperation agreements, and promoting green growth initiatives such as the ASEAN Power Grid, Blue Economy Framework, electric vehicle ecosystem, and digital economy cooperation. In light of protectionist trends and global supply chain changes, ASEAN should be ready to establish new partnerships while deepening existing ones.

During the ceremony, ASEAN leaders signed the official declaration admitting Timor-Leste as the 11th member. Speaking at the event, PM Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão of Timor-Leste described the accession as a historic milestone, realizing the country’s long-held aspiration for integration. PM Gusmao thanked ASEAN members and partners for their support during Timor-Leste’s preparation and affirmed that ASEAN is both a natural home and a strategic choice for the nation’s future. He reaffirmed Timor-Leste’s commitment to fully comply with ASEAN Charter obligations, promote unity and cooperation, and contribute actively to the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 for a peaceful, prosperous, and people-centered region.

On this occasion, the ASEAN 2025 Award was presented to the Union of Youth Federations of Cambodia (UYFC) for promoting volunteerism, enhancing youth roles, and strengthening ties among ASEAN youth. Established in 2018, the ASEAN Award is presented annually to individuals and organizations contributing to ASEAN community building and people-to-people connectivity.

According to the program, on October 26, PM Pham Minh Chinh will join ASEAN leaders at plenary and restricted sessions of the 47th ASEAN Summit, as well as high-level meetings between ASEAN and leaders from the US, Japan, and India. On the sidelines, the Prime Minister will attend and speak at the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit, the Bloomberg ASEAN Business Summit, and hold bilateral meetings with leaders from various countries and international organizations.