Jonathan Frederic De Santos

Timor-Leste, represented by Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão, formally joins the Association of Southeast Asian Nations at the summit in Malaysia on Oct. 26, 2025. ASEAN photo release

Article (news)

Harlene Delgado

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1761460857811571253647_1230940052394593_4796452996828742049_n.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>Timor-Leste, represented by Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, formally joins the Association of Southeast Asian Nations at the summit in Malaysia on Oct. 26, 2025. ASEAN photo release</div>KUALA LUMPUR — Timor-Leste has formally entered the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as its 11th member-state following its formal accession.President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was among the leaders who signed the declaration on the admission of Timor-Leste into ASEAN on the opening day of the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summit in Kuala Lumpur Sunday, October 26.During the ceremony, Timor-Leste Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão joined the regional bloc’s leaders for the customary ASEAN handshake. “Your trust, encouragement and unwavering solidarity have made this historic day possible,” Gusmão told the leaders in a speech.“Our accession is a testament to the spirit of our people – a young democracy born from struggle, now embracing a new era of collaboration and growth within one of the world’s most dynamic regions,” he said.“We pledged to work with all member states to keep our region peaceful, open and prosperous,” Gusmão vowed. <div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2025/10/26/asean-summit-torn-between-china-and-the-us-0947">ASEAN summit: Torn between China and the US </a></div>The entry of Timor-Lester into ASEAN will bring “immense opportunities” in trade, investment education and digital economy, according to the Timorese leader. “We are ready to learn, innovate, and uphold governance, strengthening our institutions as we work together towards sustainable development,” Gusmão added. “This is not the end of a journey. This is a beginning of an inspiring new chapter,” he said. The national flag of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste was officially placed along the roster of flags of ASEAN member-states.Its media delegation at the International Media Center cheered and shed tears as they witnessed the formal accession of their country to ASEAN.Timor-Leste, also known as East Timor, becomes the first country to join ASEAN in the 21st century since the entry of Cambodia in 1999. Its accession to the regional bloc has been decades in the making since it restored independence in 2002 from centuries-long Portuguese colonization and 24 years of Indonesian occupation.It took 14 years for Timor-Leste to be admitted to ASEAN since its official submission of membership application to ASEAN in 2011 and granted an observer status in 2022.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/26/marcos-jr-holds-bilateral-talks-with-canada-thailand-1302">Marcos Jr. holds bilateral talks with Canada, Thailand </a></div>The democratic republic had been engaged in initial engagements since 2002 by conducting series of visits to ASEAN member-states, acceding to treaties and establishing integration mechanisms to show its readiness in joining the regional bloc. Timor-Leste touts several factors in adding value to ASEAN with a population of 1.5 million and $1.9 Billion in GDP.These include regional integration of Southeast Asia and the Pacific being strategically located between Indonesia and Australia.It also cites as “unique” contributions its democratic resilience, maritime resources and even youth engagement with 70% of its population under 35 years old.

“Our accession is a testament to the spirit of our people – a young democracy born from struggle, now embracing a new era of collaboration and growth within one of the world’s most dynamic regions,” Timor-Leste Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão said.

“Our accession is a testament to the spirit of our people – a young democracy born from struggle, now embracing a new era of collaboration and growth within one of the world’s most dynamic regions,” Timor-Leste Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão said.

Timor-Leste, region's youngest nation, formally joins ASEAN

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Timor-Leste, region's youngest nation, formally joins ASEAN

Harlene Delgado,

ABS-CBN News

Published October 26, 2025 02:50 PM PHT

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Association of Southeast Asian Nations

ASEAN

Timor-Leste

Xanana Gusmao

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