Timor-Leste Officially Becomes 11th ASEAN Member at Kuala Lumpur Summit

On October 26, 2025, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) formally welcomed East Timor, officially known as Timor-Leste, into its ranks as the newest member. This historic induction took place during the high-level summit held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, spanning October 26–27. The event is particularly noteworthy as it marks the first time the regional bloc has expanded its membership in more than two decades, following the admission of Cambodia on April 30, 1999.

The confirmation of Timor-Leste as the eleventh full member was delivered by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who chaired ASEAN throughout 2025. Ibrahim highlighted that the decision was reached through a unanimous consensus among existing members. “We finally reached a real consensus after many rounds of negotiations,” he stated, clarifying that the aspiring nation had successfully satisfied nearly all prerequisites, especially those pertaining to economic cooperation and integration.

Timor-Leste's pursuit of full membership was a protracted, fourteen-year endeavor. The country first submitted its official application in 2011, a relatively short time after gaining independence. Momentum built in 2022 when the state was granted observer status, enabling its participation in association meetings and activities. Demonstrating unwavering commitment to regional integration, Timor-Leste subsequently established diplomatic missions in the capitals of every ASEAN member state.

Xanana Gusmão, the Prime Minister of Timor-Leste and a revered figure from the nation's independence movement, hailed the accession as a “historical moment and a new beginning.” He underscored the profound impact, stating that joining the regional body would unlock “immense opportunities for trade, investment, and sustainable development” crucial for the young nation's future prosperity.

Adding a layer of historical depth, President José Ramos-Horta of Timor-Leste, the 1996 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, reminded attendees that the ambition to join ASEAN originated decades earlier, specifically in the 1970s, while the territory was still under Portuguese administration. Reflecting on the long wait, he remarked, “When I first signed the letter of intent to join ASEAN, not everyone in my country or the region believed it was possible. Today, that dream has become a reality,” emphasizing the culmination of decades of diplomatic effort.

Economically, membership provides significant advantages for Timor-Leste, a country with a population of approximately 1.4 million people and a GDP of around 2 billion dollars. The new status opens pathways for enhanced economic collaboration and greater political participation within the region. Although its economy is recognized as one of the most modest among ASEAN members, analysts interpret the induction as a vital expression of regional solidarity and a positive sign of the bloc's readiness for internal renewal and growth.

Addressing the broader geopolitical landscape, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, during the earlier May summit in Kuala Lumpur where the accession date was confirmed, reiterated ASEAN's commitment to balancing relations between global powers. He stressed the importance of strengthening dialogue and cooperation with both Washington and Beijing. Ibrahim affirmed that the organization is ready to “work with both China and the US,” a stance that reflects the bloc's collective effort to maintain unity and neutrality amid heightened global geopolitical tensions.

The formal inclusion of Timor-Leste into ASEAN stands out as a defining achievement of the 47th summit. This milestone not only symbolizes the successful conclusion of a long and determined path for the Southeast Asian democracy but also injects a renewed spirit of cooperation and inclusivity into the entire region.