Manila:The ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC) has confirmed that Timor-Leste will assume the ASEAN chairmanship in 2029, following Thailand, in line with the alphabetical rotation system. This decision was announced by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the decision was made during a meeting where both Timor-Leste and Myanmar expressed their interest in hosting ASEAN in that year. Minister Mohamad highlighted that while the alphabetical order is typically followed, Myanmar's opportunity to chair ASEAN might be considered after Vietnam's turn, based on special merit, although no final decision has been reached on this matter.

Minister Mohamad outlined the upcoming ASEAN chair rotation, stating that Singapore will chair next year, followed by Thailand in 2028, Timor-Leste in 2029, and subsequently Vietnam. He also mentioned a related development where Slovenia, Slovakia, and Cyprus signed the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), which is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

The Foreign Minister emphasized the growing interest of external countries in forging ties with ASEAN, as evidenced by the applications from various countries to accede to the TAC and to become sectoral or full dialogue partners, based on the value they can offer to the association.