AKP Phnom Penh, October 26, 2025 --

Timor-Leste was officially admitted as the 11th member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in a ceremony held this morning in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, during the opening of the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits.

The Declaration on the Admission of Timor-Leste into ASEAN was signed by ASEAN Heads of State/Government, including Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, and H.E. Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, Prime Minister of Timor-Leste.

This historic milestone marks a proud moment not only for Timor-Leste but for the entire ASEAN Family, as the region continues to move forward together in unity and solidarity amidst a rapidly changing global landscape.

Cambodia has consistently supported Timor-Leste’s bid for ASEAN membership. During its ASEAN Chairmanship in 2022, Cambodia played an active role in leading ASEAN Leaders to agree in principle to admit Timor-Leste as a new member of the bloc.

With the admission of Timor-Leste, ASEAN now comprises 11 member states: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Timor-Leste, Thailand, and Viet Nam.

By C. Nika