Archive · 23 Sep 2025
East Timor to Join ASEAN in October: Bloc Expansion
East Timor, a young country that gained independence in 2002, will join ASEAN, a group of Southeast Asian countries.
This will happen in October at a meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
East Timor's President has wanted this for a long time, submitting an application in 2011.
The current chair of ASEAN is Malaysia.
The addition of East Timor is expected to be a big celebration.
East Timor is also dealing with challenges such as inequality and unemployment.
East Timor will join ASEAN as its 11th member in October 2025.
The formalization will occur in Kuala Lumpur.
Malaysia, the current chair, confirmed the news.
East Timor gained independence from Indonesia in 2002.
President Jose Ramos-Horta has long campaigned for ASEAN membership.
- Who
- East Timor and ASEAN
- What
- East Timor is set to become the 11th member of ASEAN.
- When
- Formalization is scheduled for October 2025.
- Where
- Kuala Lumpur
- Why
- East Timor has long sought membership; it will be a benefit to all members
- New Member
- East Timor
- Accession Date
- October 2025
- Location of Formalization
- Kuala Lumpur
- Current ASEAN Chair
- Malaysia
- East Timor Independence
- 2002
- Original ASEAN Formation
- 1967