ASEAN Ministers Reaffirm Support for Timor-Leste’s Full Membership Ahead of 47th Summit

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 26 (VoM): ASEAN economic ministers have unanimously reaffirmed their support for Timor-Leste’s full membership in the regional bloc, setting the stage for its formal admission as ASEAN’s 11th member state at the upcoming 47th ASEAN Summit in October 2025.

Malaysia’s Investment, Trade, and Industry Minister, Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, said the endorsement reflects ASEAN’s strong commitment to inclusive growth and deeper regional integration.

“Next, we look forward to the historic moment when Timor-Leste will be fully admitted as the 11th Member State of ASEAN at the 47th ASEAN Summit in October 2025,” he said at a press conference following the conclusion of the 57th ASEAN Economic Ministers’ (AEM) Meeting and Related Meetings, which ran for five days in Kuala Lumpur.

He added that Timor-Leste’s entry will strengthen its participation in the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) framework, while ongoing capacity-building programs will ensure the country is ready to meet its obligations under ASEAN economic agreements.

Echoing this view, ASEAN Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn stressed that ministers remain committed to supporting Timor-Leste’s smooth integration through targeted capacity-building initiatives. “These programs will enable Timor-Leste to fully realize the tangible benefits of ASEAN economic integration,” he said.

However, Kao noted that more work is needed to ensure Timor-Leste’s full participation across ASEAN’s economic cooperation mechanisms, especially in engaging with external partners.

Timor-Leste first applied for ASEAN membership in 2011 and was granted observer status in 2022. Since then, ASEAN has adopted a phased approach to its integration, including pilot participation in ministerial-level meetings and technical cooperation initiatives.

On another matter, Kao highlighted that the ministers underscored the importance of transparent dialogue with the private sector to advance ASEAN’s regional economic priorities.

“At these meetings, we encouraged the revival of structured procedures for private sector engagement under the AEC to establish a more efficient framework for public-private collaboration. We call on ASEAN’s sectoral bodies to actively engage with industry stakeholders so that their insights are fully integrated into ASEAN’s policy development process,” he said.