Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão hails full membership as a new beginning for East Timor, promising stronger trade, diplomacy, and regional cooperation.
East Timor’s Long-Awaited ASEAN Membership Officially Confirmed
In a moment of immense pride and celebration, East Timor (Timor-Leste) has officially become the 11th member state of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The announcement was made during the opening ceremony of the 47th ASEAN Summit held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on October 26, 2025, marking the culmination of a 14-year journey toward regional integration.
At the symbolic ceremony, the flag of Timor-Leste was raised alongside the other ten ASEAN member states, drawing resounding applause from delegates. Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, visibly emotional, described the event as the realization of “a national dream” and “a new chapter” for Asia’s youngest nation.
“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,” Gusmão declared. “This is the beginning of an inspiring new chapter.”
Regional Leaders Welcome East Timor to the ASEAN Family
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who currently chairs ASEAN, welcomed Timor-Leste’s admission as a landmark step in strengthening Southeast Asian unity and cooperation.
“East Timor’s accession completes the ASEAN family — reaffirming our shared destiny and regional kinship,” Anwar said.
Also present were ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn and East Timorese President José Ramos-Horta, who has long championed his nation’s ASEAN aspirations. The event was hailed as one of the crowning achievements of Malaysia’s ASEAN chairmanship.
A Journey Rooted in Resilience: From Occupation to Independence
East Timor’s accession to ASEAN is the culmination of decades of struggle and perseverance. Once a Portuguese colony for over 300 years, the nation experienced a turbulent path to sovereignty. Following Portugal’s abrupt withdrawal in 1975, Indonesia annexed East Timor, leading to a brutal occupation marked by widespread violence and human rights abuses.
After a long and painful struggle, East Timor gained full independence in 2002, becoming Asia’s youngest democracy. Since then, the country’s leadership — including Nobel Peace Prize laureate José Ramos-Horta — has sought regional integration as a cornerstone of peace and economic progress.
Ramos-Horta, now 75, has advocated for ASEAN membership since the 1970s, believing it would secure Timor-Leste’s future through diplomatic and economic partnerships.
“We are proud to finally stand alongside our regional brothers and sisters,” Ramos-Horta said. “ASEAN membership will strengthen our stability and allow us to share our experience in peacebuilding and dialogue.”
Economic Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
While the ceremony was filled with optimism, East Timor faces significant socio-economic challenges as it enters ASEAN. With a population of 1.4 million, the country remains one of Asia’s poorest, with 42 percent living below the national poverty line and nearly two-thirds of citizens under 30 years old.
East Timor’s GDP stands at approximately $2 billion, a fraction of ASEAN’s combined $3.8 trillion economy. Its government revenue is heavily reliant on the oil and gas industry, a sector now facing depletion.
Nevertheless, leaders are confident that ASEAN membership will accelerate economic diversification, providing access to free trade agreements, regional investment frameworks, and infrastructure development programs.
“Our entry into ASEAN brings immense opportunities for trade, investment, and knowledge exchange,” Gusmão said. “We aim to contribute to the region’s peace, stability, and sustainable growth.”
ASEAN Integration: A New Role for East Timor
Timor-Leste’s inclusion marks ASEAN’s first expansion in more than two decades — the last being Cambodia in 1999. With its membership, East Timor gains a platform to engage in regional diplomacy, security cooperation, and economic development initiatives.
The nation also brings valuable experience in conflict resolution and post-war reconstruction, lessons that could enrich ASEAN’s dialogue-based approach to regional disputes.
In an earlier interview with Channel News Asia, President Ramos-Horta emphasized that his country aims to be a responsible and constructive member:
“We must maintain stability and not burden ASEAN. If we can in the future contribute toward strengthening ASEAN’s conflict mechanisms, that is key.”
A Defining Moment for ASEAN and Southeast Asia
East Timor’s admission into ASEAN reflects the bloc’s enduring commitment to inclusivity, cooperation, and shared progress. As Asia’s youngest democracy steps into the regional stage, it symbolizes the enduring spirit of resilience that defines Southeast Asia’s identity.
From independence to integration, East Timor’s journey stands as a testament to determination — and a reminder that even small nations can play a significant role in shaping the future of the region.
“Our story is one of hope,” Gusmão said. “And today, that hope shines brighter than ever.”
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