Timor-Leste Officially Becomes ASEAN’s 11th Member: Key Facts You Need to Know

Kuala Lumpur, MINA – Timor-Leste officially joined as the 11th full member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) at the opening of the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Sunday.

This historic step marks a new chapter in efforts to strengthen integration and solidarity across Southeast Asia. Malaysian Prime Minister and ASEAN 2025 Chair, Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, welcomed Timor-Leste’s accession as a symbol of the region’s spirit of unity and inclusivity.

“Timor-Leste’s full membership enriches ASEAN’s diversity and reinforces our commitment towards a more inclusive and competitive community,” Anwar said during the summit’s opening speech.

The process of Timor-Leste’s membership has taken over a decade. Since applying in 2011, the young nation, which gained independence on May 20, 2002, underwent a series of evaluations to meet ASEAN’s administrative and institutional standards.

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Timor-Leste now becomes the least populous country in ASEAN, with around 1.3 million inhabitants. Despite its small geographical size, the nation is recognized for its ambitious drive to develop its economy and regional diplomacy.

The official languages of Timor-Leste are Tetum and Portuguese, and its currency is the US Dollar (USD). The use of these languages and currency reflects the country’s long-standing historical connections with the international community, particularly Europe.

With Timor-Leste’s accession, ASEAN now consists of 11 member states, expanding cooperation in political, economic, social, and cultural fields. The Timor-Leste government expressed readiness to actively contribute to realizing the ASEAN Community 2045 vision, focusing on peace, prosperity, and regional sustainability.

Regional analysts view this membership as both a challenge and a significant opportunity for Timor-Leste to strengthen its national capacity and deepen diplomatic relations with neighboring countries, including Indonesia.

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The 47th ASEAN Summit also marks a crucial moment to reinforce regional cooperation amid ever-changing global dynamics, guided by the shared principle of One Vision, One Identity, One Community.[]

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)

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