Timor-Leste joins ASEAN as 11th member: What this means for the country and the bloc

The nation’s long-awaited membership reflects years of reform, preparation, and commitment to regional cooperation, as it takes its place alongside the ten ASEAN Member States.

Timor-Leste has become the newest member of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), joining the fifth largest economic bloc in the world and achieving a long-held national goal.

Following years of work, reforms, and regional engagement, Timor-Leste and ASEAN Member States signed the Declaration of Accession during the 47^th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur on 26 October, formally welcoming Timor-Leste as the 11^th member of the ASEAN family as one of the biggest highlights of the summit.

Xanana Gusmão, Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, said during the signing ceremony: "For the people of Timor-Leste, this is not only a dream realised, but a powerful affirmation of our journey – one marked by resilience, determination and hope."

He added that Timor-Leste is ready to learn, innovate, and uphold good governance by strengthening its institutions, adding that this marks the start of an inspiring new chapter toward sustainable development.

Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia and the current Chair of ASEAN said the accession of Timor-Leste completes the ASEAN family, reaffirming the region’s shared destiny and strong sense of kinship.

The milestone marks the culmination of extensive national efforts supported by international partnerships. A central role was played by the International Trade Centre (ITC) through the EU-funded project ‘Supporting Regional Integration and Trade’, which assisted the government and technical team led by H.E. Milena Rangel, Vice-Minister for ASEAN Affairs in preparing for membership.

The project offered training and capacity-building for the national team, technical support during negotiations, and assistance in preparing initial offers to join ASEAN’s key economic agreements in goods (ATIGA), services (AFAS/ATISA), and investment (ACIA). It also supported the drafting of technical documents required to complete domestic procedures.

Beyond the technical aspects, the project assisted the national Parliament through seminars and the creation of an ASEAN handbook and a manual for the public sector in Tetum and English, ensuring national institutions are equipped to understand and implement ASEAN frameworks. Other ministries, including the Ministry of Tourism, Trade and Industry, also received targeted support to invest in specific sectors.

To raise public awareness, the Cabinet of the Vice-Minister rolled out a national campaign to engage civil society, with outreach materials and one-pagers in Tetum, Portuguese and English. The business community likewise benefited from targeted training to help micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) prepare for the opportunities and challenges of ASEAN membership.

As Timor-Leste embarks on this new chapter, continued work will be needed to implement ASEAN agreements and deepen governance, legal and economic reforms. The EU and ITC have reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the country through this critical phase to ensure that institutions, businesses and communities are fully equipped to participate effectively and benefit from regional integration.

Timor-Leste’s accession marks not only a milestone for the nation but also a moment of renewal for ASEAN, highlighting the region’s commitment to inclusiveness, unity, and shared growth. Membership opens new avenues for trade, investment, connectivity and cooperation while affirming Timor-Leste’s role in shaping Southeast Asia’s future.

Global messages of congratulations

The United States' Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, congratulated Timor-Leste on the accession, calling it "an important step in Timor-Leste’s ongoing pursuit of regional integration and cooperation." The US affirmed its support for ASEAN centrality and said it looks forward to working closely with Timor-Leste as a full member.

Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan called it “a historic and emotional moment,” noting that it had been a long and challenging journey, while extending their best wishes to the people of Timor-Leste for a bright and peaceful future.

Over in Australia, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Senator Penny Wong also extended the nation's congratulations, describing the accession as “an important milestone for ASEAN and a significant step for Timor-Leste’s regional integration and economic development.” PM Albanese joined Prime Minister Gusmão and ASEAN leaders at the summit to mark the occasion, acknowledging the leadership that made the milestone possible.

Australia reaffirmed its commitment to work closely with Timor-Leste and ASEAN to ensure the membership brings tangible benefits to the Timorese people and the broader region.

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Lead image / Association of Southeast Asian Nations