The milestone was marked by the signing of the declaration on the admission of Timor-Leste into ASEAN, witnessed by the leaders of all ten existing member nations.

This is a historic moment for Timor Leste, opening a new beginning with countless opportunities for trade and investment, said Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão of Timor-Leste during the signing ceremony.

A step toward a more inclusive and cohesive ASEAN

Timor-Leste’s official membership is not only a diplomatic and political achievement but also a reflection of ASEAN’s long-standing commitment to regional integration and inclusivity.

The decision represents an important step toward realising the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 - a vision of a more united, resilient, and inclusive Southeast Asia.

According to Sarah Al Bakri Devadason, Malaysia’s Permanent Representative to ASEAN, the event reinforces ASEAN’s unity and centrality amid shifting geopolitical dynamics and opens up new avenues for cooperation across all pillars of the ASEAN Community.

She drew parallels to the entry of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam in the late 1990s, emphasising that each of these countries has since demonstrated remarkable development and constructive contributions to the ASEAN community, expressing confidence that Timor-Leste will follow a similar path.

Beyond symbolism, the admission also holds strategic importance. It reflects ASEAN’s maturity and ongoing effort to narrow development gaps, uphold the principle of “leaving no one behind,” and strengthen Southeast Asia’s collective identity which now encompasses 11 nations united by shared aspirations for stability, prosperity, and sustainable growth.

Timor-Leste - A young nation with regional aspirations

With a land area of around 24,000 square kilometers and a population of nearly 1.2 million, Timor-Leste gained independence in 2002, becoming one of the youngest nations in Asia.

Its economy is largely based on oil, natural gas, and coffee exports, though the country has been actively pursuing economic diversification and institutional reforms to ensure long-term sustainability.

Joining ASEAN fulfills a long-held aspiration of Timor-Leste -  a goal articulated since its independence, rooted in the desire to reintegrate into the regional community and pursue national development through cooperation and partnership.

In a keynote address delivered at the ASEAN Secretariat in August 2025, President José Ramos-Horta stressed that regional cooperation is the key to overcoming shared challenges and shaping a sustainable future for all.

As a full-fledged member, Timor-Leste will gain access to ASEAN’s wide-ranging cooperation frameworks in trade, investment, capacity building, and human resource development, helping accelerate its economic transformation and strengthening its diplomatic presence through consensus-based regional dialogue.

New horizons for Vietnam–Timor-Leste cooperation

Timor-Leste’s entry into ASEAN also brings new momentum for cooperation with existing members, particularly Vietnam, which maintains long-standing and friendly ties with the young nation.

The two countries share a history of solidarity in their respective struggles for independence and have since built positive relations in politics, trade, and people-to-people exchanges.

Vietnam is one of Timor-Leste’s key trading partners, exporting mainly rice and textiles, while Viettel, Vietnam’s leading telecommunications group, is among the most successful foreign investors in Timor-Leste, currently ranking as the country’s third-largest mobile operator.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Indonesia and Timor Leste Ta Van Thong said, Viettel’s success could pave the way for other Vietnamese enterprises to expand their footprint in the country.

With Timor-Leste’s official admission to ASEAN, Vietnamese businesses can leverage ASEAN’s trade frameworks and investment mechanisms to enhance their presence in this promising market, he said.

Beyond trade and investment, Timor-Leste’s membership is expected to foster closer ties in tourism, cultural exchange, and education.

Ambassador Thong affirmed that Vietnam will continue to support Timor-Leste’s integration process within ASEAN and the broader international community, contributing to the building of a connected, resilient, and prosperous Southeast Asia.

Vietnamese PM arrives in Kuala Lumpur for 47th ASEAN Summit

VOV.VN - Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh arrived in Kuala Lumpur early on October 26 (local time) to attend the 47th ASEAN Summit and related meetings at the invitation of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the ASEAN Chair for 2025.