A HISTORIC milestone was achieved today as Timor-Leste was formally admitted as the 11th member of ASEAN after submitting its Instrument of Accession to the ASEAN Charter and the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ).
The ceremony, held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC), was witnessed by Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan alongside foreign ministers from other ASEAN member states.
In his address, Mohamad said Timor-Leste’s formal accession signified the expansion of ASEAN’s scope to include all sovereign nations in the region.
“Today we welcome Timor-Leste into the ASEAN family. This is not merely a diplomatic event, but a symbol of regional strength and unity,” he said during the ceremony.
He congratulated the government and people of Timor-Leste, describing their membership as the culmination of a long and determined struggle to become part of the ASEAN community.
“Timor-Leste is a nation built on courage, patience, and unwavering hope. Today, you join a family that has long awaited your presence,” he added.
Mohamad noted that the ASEAN Charter represents more than a foundational document — it is the lifeblood of the region’s shared vision grounded in trust, respect, and solidarity for peace and prosperity.
“With the accession to the Charter and SEANWFZ, Timor-Leste demonstrates its commitment to walk alongside fellow member states while ensuring Southeast Asia remains peaceful and free from the threat of nuclear weapons,” he said.
“This step reflects Timor-Leste’s confidence in ASEAN’s values and ideals, and its belief in a harmonious and mutually respectful shared future.”
He added that Timor-Leste’s inclusion would enrich ASEAN’s identity not only demographically, but also politically, culturally, and economically.
“ASEAN’s strength has always lain in its diversity, and with Timor-Leste’s participation, our regional unity will grow even stronger,” he said.
According to Mohamad, the accession also reinforces ASEAN’s role as an inclusive, resilient organisation prepared for the future through cooperation and shared progress.
“May we continue to move forward together as a united, prosperous region, standing firm against the challenges ahead,” he said.
Since gaining independence in 2002, Timor-Leste has expressed its aspiration to join ASEAN as part of its regional integration efforts. The country officially applied for membership in 2011, but the process took considerable time due to factors such as economic readiness, institutional capacity, and the need for consensus among member states.
At the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, in November 2022, ASEAN leaders agreed in principle to admit Timor-Leste as the bloc’s 11th member. The decision also granted the country observer status and outlined a roadmap for full membership, including capacity-building support.
Meanwhile, Malaysia continues to strengthen regional cooperation to ensure ASEAN remains peaceful, stable, and resilient.
Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan said current efforts were focused on finalising the End-Term Review of the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) Blueprint 2025.
“The findings from this report are crucial as we transition from the APSC Blueprint 2025 to the implementation of the APSC Strategic Plan under the ASEAN Community Vision 2045: Our Shared Future,” he said at the 30th ASEAN Political-Security Community Council (APSC) Meeting earlier today.
Under the new strategic plan, ASEAN has identified measures to strengthen its legal framework, judicial foundation, and security cooperation to ensure the safety of the region’s people.
As chair, Malaysia is also intensifying efforts to enhance trust and confidence among security agencies, including through the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the defence sector.
Regional cooperation against transnational crime is being bolstered through the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime (SOMTC), while the ASEAN Prosecutors-General Meeting (APAGM) is expected to further enhance collaboration in prosecution and cross-border crime prevention.
Mohamad stressed that strengthening the rule of law and safeguarding human rights remain central to ASEAN’s community-building efforts.
“This is a true manifestation of our collective commitment to reinforce the ASEAN Political-Security Community as one grounded in rules, shared values, and regional norms,” he said. - October 25, 2025
