Timor-Leste Becomes ASEAN’s 11th Member State

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (Oct. 26, 2025) — Timor-Leste has been officially welcomed as the 11th member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), marking a historic milestone in the region’s journey toward greater unity and cooperation.

During the opening ceremony of the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on Sunday, ASEAN leaders, including Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., signed the Declaration on the Admission of Timor-Leste into ASEAN as a full member state.

Timor-Leste Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão and President Jose Ramos-Horta subsequently presented the signed declaration to ASEAN Secretary-General Kap Kim Hourn, symbolizing the country’s formal entry into the regional bloc.

In a moment rich with symbolism, the national flag of Timor-Leste was raised alongside those of the 10 other ASEAN member states, signifying its equal standing within the organization.

The admission of Timor-Leste is seen as a major step in strengthening ASEAN’s inclusivity and regional solidarity, expanding the group’s reach to encompass all nations in Southeast Asia.

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