@radiotelevisyenmalaysia Selamat datang Timor Leste sebagai ahli negara ASEAN ke-11 secara rasminya! 🫶 #ASEANSummit2025 #ASEANSummit47 #ASEAN ♬ original sound - RTM Malaysia Official

🎶 “Domin” by NYX 15: The Soundtrack of a Rising Nation

“Domin” by NYX 15 is more than just a song—it’s a cultural echo of Timor-Leste’s journey as a rising nation. Released in 2015 as part of the Destroyed Generation – La Interese playlist, the track captures the spirit of a post-independence generation: resilient, expressive, and ready to rise. With its alternative sound, NYX 15 channels the voice of Timorese youth navigating identity, hope, and transformation. The title Domin, meaning “love” in Tetum, speaks to the emotional core of the country’s story—love for its people, its past, and its unfolding future.

🎶 🇹🇱🌏💫🕊️🎤📺🌱🔥🤝📈✨ 🔊 Domin - NYX 15

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In a moment steeped in emotion and history, Timor-Leste has officially become the 11th member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The announcement came on October 26, 2025, during the opening of the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, marking the bloc’s first expansion in over two decades.

🌏 A 14-Year Journey of Determination

Timor-Leste’s path to ASEAN membership began in 2011, nearly a decade after gaining independence in 2002. The road was long and demanding, requiring extensive reforms, capacity-building, and alignment with ASEAN’s political, economic, and legal frameworks. In 2022, ASEAN granted Timor-Leste observer status, and now, in 2025, the dream has become a reality.

Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão, visibly moved, signed the declaration with tears in his eyes. “Today, history is made,” he declared. “This is not only a dream realized, but a powerful affirmation of our journey – one marked by resilience, determination, and hope”.

🤝 A Family Completed

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, chairing the summit, welcomed Timor-Leste warmly: “Your accession completes the ASEAN family, reaffirming our shared destiny and deep sense of regional kinship”.

The symbolic moment when Timor-Leste’s flag was raised alongside the other ten ASEAN nations drew thunderous applause. For the people of this young democracy, it was more than a diplomatic milestone—it was a declaration of belonging.

📈 What This Means for Timor-Leste

Joining ASEAN opens doors to:

•Greater regional trade and investment
•Support for sustainable development
•Stronger diplomatic influence
•Access to ASEAN’s $3.8 trillion economy

With nearly 42% of its population living below the poverty line and a youthful demographic (two-thirds under 30), ASEAN membership offers Timor-Leste a platform to accelerate growth, diversify its economy, and reduce reliance on dwindling oil reserves.

🕊️ A Voice for Justice

Timor-Leste’s leaders, including President José Ramos-Horta, have long championed human rights and democratic values. Their vocal stance on issues like the Myanmar crisis has sometimes clashed with ASEAN’s principle of non-interference. Yet, their inclusion signals a shift—an ASEAN that embraces diversity of thought and moral courage.

✨ The Road Ahead

Timor-Leste’s accession is not the end—it’s the beginning of a new chapter. The country will now work to implement ASEAN agreements, deepen governance reforms, and ensure its institutions are ready to meet the challenges and opportunities of regional integration.

As Prime Minister Gusmão said, “This is the beginning of an inspiring new chapter.”

Timor-Leste has arrived—not as a guest, but as family. And the region is stronger for it.

#TimorLesteJoinsASEAN 🇹🇱 #ASEANFamily 🌏 #NewChapterBegins ✨ #UnityInDiversity 🤝 #TimorLesteRising 📈