Why in the news?

  • East Timor became the youngest member in the ASEAN grouping.

Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

  • What is it?: It is a regional organization was established to promote political and social stability amid rising tension among Asia – Pacific’s post colonial states.
  • Motto: ” One Vision, One Identity, One Community.
  • ASEAN Secretariat: Jakarta, Indonesia
  • Formation: Based on ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration) on 1967.
  • Founding Members: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.
  • Objectives:
    • To accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development for a prosperous and peaceful community of Southeast Asian Nations.
    • To promote regional peace and stability through abiding respect for justice and the rule of law and adherence to the principles of the United Nations Charter.
    • To promote active collaboration and mutual assistance on matters of common interest in the economic, social, cultural, technical, scientific and administrative fields.
    • To collaborate more effectively for the greater utilisation of agriculture and industries, the expansion of their trade, the improvement of transportation and communications facilities and the raising of the living standards of peoples.
    • To promote Southeast Asian studies.
    • To maintain close and beneficial cooperation with existing international and regional organisations.

East Timor

  • Location: East Timor, officially known as the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, is a small island nation in Southeast Asia.
  • Capital: Dili
  • Geography:
    • Lies in the Lesser Sunda Islands at the eastern end of the Indonesian archipelago.
    • Terrain: Mountainous and tropical, prone to monsoon rainfall and drought cycles.
    • Rich in oil and natural gas reserves under the Timor Sea.
  • Bordering Countries: Bordered by Indonesia to the west and the Timor Sea to the south (across from Australia).
  • Membership in International Bodies: ASEAN (member 2025), UN and CPLP