Timor-Leste Nears Full ASEAN Membership Following Legal Advances

Timor-Leste is on track to become the 11th full member of ASEAN by October 2025, following significant progress in meeting accession criteria and strong support from existing member states. Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen congratulated Timor-Leste on its forthcoming membership, highlighting the country's dedication and the collective benefits of its inclusion for ASEAN's unity and sustainable development. Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan confirmed that while Timor-Leste has made meaningful advances, it still needs to comply with numerous legal instruments, with ASEAN establishing a special task force and a dedicated unit at the ASEAN Secretariat to assist in this process. The adoption of the draft Addendum to the Treaty on the South-East Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone represents a critical step in integrating Timor-Leste into ASEAN's political and security frameworks. ASEAN is also considering allowing Timor-Leste a timeline, potentially five years, to fulfill all legal requirements while granting membership, reflecting the bloc's commitment to inclusivity and sustainability. These developments underscore ASEAN's strategic goal of strengthening regional cohesion and capacity amid global challenges.