Jakarta, Oct. 25 -- Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today joined other Foreign Ministers in a historic and momentous occasion, where the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste deposited its Instrument of Accession to the ASEAN Charter, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, signifying its formal admission to ASEAN, underscoring its commitment to ASEAN's principles and values. Through depositing the Instrument of Accession to the ASEAN Charter, Timor-Leste showcased its readiness to integrate into ASEAN and abide by its processes as a rules-based organisation.

The ASEAN Charter, adopted in 2007 and in force since 2008, serves as the constitution of ASEAN. It provides the organisation with legal personality, establishes ASEAN as a rules-bas...