After 14 years of anticipation, Timor-Leste has officially become ASEAN’s 11th member state, marking a historic milestone for both the young nation and the regional bloc.

Tears, cheers, and heartfelt embraces filled the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on October 26, 2025, as Timor-Leste was officially welcomed into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), becoming its 11th member state. The moment, sealed during the opening ceremony of the 47th ASEAN Summit, marked the culmination of a 14-year journey that began with the country’s formal application for membership in 2011.

As Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the 2025 ASEAN Chair, announced the accession, applause and emotional celebrations erupted from the Timor-Leste delegation, symbolising a hard-fought victory for the small nation of just 1.3 million people.

“This is an emotional and unforgettable moment,” said Antonio Guterres, a photographer with Timor-Leste’s Foreign Ministry. “We waited for this day for over a decade. When the announcement was made, many of us were in tears. It is a dream finally realised, and we are deeply grateful to all ASEAN member states for welcoming us.”

A LONG ROAD TO MEMBERSHIP

Timor-Leste’s path to ASEAN has been marked by persistence and steady reform. The young nation first applied for membership in 2011 during Indonesia’s chairmanship, but progress was slow as ASEAN evaluated the country’s readiness to meet the bloc’s political, economic, and administrative benchmarks.

The breakthrough came in 2022, when ASEAN leaders agreed in principle to admit Timor-Leste and granted it observer status in high-level meetings. Over the next three years, the country worked intensively with ASEAN’s Secretariat and technical committees to align with the group’s frameworks on trade, governance, and regional cooperation.

Speaking to Bernama, Augusto Sarmento, a media relations officer with Timor-Leste’s delegation, said the achievement represents not only national pride but also renewed hope for development. “I am deeply moved, as we are now officially a member of ASEAN and part of this larger family. ASEAN has a clear economic vision, which is vital for both our people and the region,” he said.

A HISTORIC SIGNING

The accession, ASEAN’s first expansion in 26 years, was formalised with the signing of the Declaration on the Admission of Timor-Leste into ASEAN. The historic document was endorsed by all 10 current member states, including Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, Brunei, and a representative of Myanmar’s Foreign Ministry.

Timor-Leste’s Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, who led the delegation, described the moment as a powerful symbol of unity and regional inclusion. “This is more than a diplomatic milestone. It is the fulfilment of our people’s aspiration to stand shoulder to shoulder with our Southeast Asian brothers and sisters,” he said in his address to the summit.

The signing was witnessed by ASEAN Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, who praised Timor-Leste’s commitment to integration and reform. “Timor-Leste’s entry into ASEAN strengthens our community and affirms our shared belief in inclusivity, peace, and sustainable growth,” he said.

THE SIGNIFICANCE FOR ASEAN AND THE REGION

Timor-Leste’s admission marks an important moment for ASEAN, whose last enlargement was the inclusion of Cambodia in 1999. The decision underscores ASEAN’s commitment to regional inclusivity and its role in supporting smaller, developing nations through shared frameworks for cooperation.

Analysts note that the move also reflects ASEAN’s strategic interest in strengthening unity amid global uncertainties. Located between Indonesia and Australia, Timor-Leste occupies a geopolitically significant position along vital sea routes. Its membership may also open opportunities for enhanced regional connectivity, labour mobility, and investment.

For Timor-Leste, ASEAN membership represents access to a wider market of more than 700 million people and the chance to benefit from collective economic and social development initiatives. It also provides a platform for the country to amplify its voice in regional diplomacy.

“Now that we are part of ASEAN, our priority is national development and improving the well-being of our people,” said Guterres. “We are ready to contribute meaningfully to the region’s growth and stability.”

CELEBRATIONS AND HOPE

The atmosphere at the International Media Centre in Kuala Lumpur was one of pure celebration. Delegates from across the region congratulated Timor-Leste’s representatives, many of whom were visibly moved by the occasion.

“For 14 years, we have waited for this day,” said Isabel Ermelita, a journalist with the Timor Post. “As a citizen, I am proud and grateful. This has not been an easy journey since 2011, but now we are finally part of the ASEAN family. This will bring progress and positive change for our people.”

The country now faces the task of implementing ASEAN’s agreements and strengthening domestic institutions to align with the bloc’s economic and political frameworks. Still, the mood remains optimistic. For many Timorese, joining ASEAN is not merely a diplomatic milestone, but a validation of the nation’s resilience since its independence from Indonesia in 2002.

As the 47th ASEAN Summit continues in Kuala Lumpur, Timor-Leste’s accession stands as one of its most defining moments, a reminder that persistence, unity, and shared vision remain at the heart of Southeast Asia’s collective journey.

Sources: Bernama, ASEAN Secretariat, The Star