HANOI, February 26- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim welcomes Timor-Leste's participation as a full member of ASEAN this year.

He emphasized that membership in ASEAN is not merely a right, but a privilege that must be earned through unity and the ability to collectively address global challenges.

"We hope Timor-Leste will continue to play an active role in ASEAN and strengthen the spirit of regional integration," he said this in his keynote address at the ASEAN Future Forum in Hanoi, Vietnam, today.

According to Anwar, ASEAN is committed to ensuring no country is left behind, in line with the goal of strengthening inclusive development in the region.

The second edition of the ASEAN Future Forum emphasized the importance of strong diplomatic relations to ensure ASEAN remains a competitive economic bloc on the global stage.