Forging a New Era: Timor-Leste Admitted into ASEAN

In a historic occasion for the region, the Signing of the Declaration on the Admission of Timor-Leste into ASEAN took place at the Opening Ceremony of the 47^th ASEAN Summits and Related Summits, held on 26 October 2025. The Declaration was signed by ASEAN Leaders together with the Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, marking the ASEAN Leaders' consent to accept Timor-Leste as the 11^th Member State of ASEAN. This achievement is the result of years of close cooperation between ASEAN and Timor-Leste.

Timor-Leste officially applied for ASEAN membership in 2011. In 2022, ASEAN Leaders agreed in principle to admit Timor-Leste as a Member State, granting it Observer Status in ASEAN meetings. This was followed by the adoption of the Roadmap for Timor-Leste's Full Membership in 2023, which guided its preparations to meet ASEAN's membership criteria, including accession to ASEAN legal instruments and participation in meetings across all three ASEAN Community pillars. Today's ceremony represents the culmination of this dedicated journey and ASEAN's collective support in welcoming Timor-Leste into the ASEAN family.