Timor-Leste was accepted as a full ASEAN member state during a formal ascension ceremony in Kuala Lumpur on October 26, 2025. The moment marks the realisation of Timor-Leste’s longstanding aspiration to join the regional body. Timor-Leste submitted its initial application to join ASEAN in 2011 and was granted observer status in 2022. Timor-Leste’s ascension marks the first expansion of ASEAN since Cambodia joined in 1999 and has been broadly lauded as the crowning moment of Malaysia’s 2025 chairmanship.
Timor-Leste’s achievement of member status represents a promising opportunity for the nation’s future. Timor-Leste continues to face development challenges, particularly in creating employment opportunities, achieving sustainable economic growth, diversifying its economy, and reducing its reliance on oil exports. Integration into ASEAN’s regional economy presents Timor-Leste with a potential economic lifeline and fosters favourable trade and labour mobility relations.
Becoming the 11th member of ASEAN fully incorporates Timor-Leste into a regional community with enormous potential. With a population of 1.4 million and a total GDP of approximately $2 billion USD, Timor-Leste joins a much larger bloc, ASEAN, with a total population greater than 680 million and a combined GDP of $3.8 trillion USD. Membership in this regional economy opens the door for Timor-Leste to pursue broader economic opportunities, which can be achieved through active collaboration with ASEAN members and external partners.
The attainment of ASEAN membership is undoubtedly a positive outcome and an important step in Timor-Leste’s national development, strengthening its position as a sovereign state in the region. While Timor-Leste must continue to work with its ASEAN peers and other partners to overcome challenges such as youth unemployment, slow growth, and poverty, its ascension to ASEAN membership certainly provides a glimmer of hope and is certainly a long-awaited “dream realised”, as described by Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao.
Writer: Edward Atkinson
Editor: Mellyana Nungki Pramitha