Southeast Asia continues to be a region of strategic importance, drawing the attention of many countries not just for economic reasons, but also in the realms of politics and diplomacy. As the central body for maintaining stability, strengthening cooperation, and opening up trade and investment opportunities among its members, ASEAN plays a key role in the region.
Over time, several nations in and outside the region have expressed interest in getting closer to ASEAN, either through dialogue cooperation or potential full membership. This trend underscores ASEAN’s strategic value as a strong regional bloc, recognized on the global stage.
Timor Leste's Strengthening Role in ASEAN’s Global Influence
Timor Leste will officially become a full ASEAN member in October 2025, after more than a decade-long accession process. Timor Leste first applied for membership in 2011, and its application has been thoroughly evaluated by all ASEAN member countries.
The final decision was made during the 46th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur in May 2025. With Timor Leste’s membership, ASEAN will now have 11 full members, enhancing the regional position and boosting the group’s global influence.
The accession process emphasizes that new members must meet the criteria outlined in the ASEAN Charter. This includes receiving approval from all member states and committing to the obligations and provisions of the ASEAN Charter. Indonesia also highlighted that with a projected ASEAN population of around 700 million by 2025, the bloc represents a significant economic and diplomatic force, nearly equivalent to the population of Europe.
Papua New Guinea and Other Countries Interested in Joining ASEAN
Apart from Timor Leste, Indonesia has also expressed support for Papua New Guinea (PNG) to join ASEAN. According to the official website of the Indonesian Ministry of State Secretariat, President Prabowo Subianto has supported PNG's accession, highlighting that its inclusion could strengthen regional resilience and expand ASEAN's influence on the global stage.
Geographically, PNG shares a direct border with Indonesia’s eastern region, making its presence in ASEAN strategic for regional stability.
However, there are some challenges to consider. According to the ASEAN Charter, one of the requirements for membership is geographic location within Southeast Asia. PNG, located in the Oceania region, does not meet this criterion, which would require further deliberation and possibly an amendment to the charter. Any potential inclusion of PNG would also require consensus from all existing ASEAN members.
This situation is reminiscent of other countries outside Southeast Asia, such as Bangladesh, which has also shown interest in strengthening ties with ASEAN, though not necessarily through full membership.
Bangladesh is currently aiming for a "sectoral dialogue partner" status as a first step to enhancing economic cooperation, investment, and technological exchange with ASEAN countries. While not yet on the path to full membership, this interest reflects the growing appeal of ASEAN as a regional bloc with a large market and mature trade networks.
Economic and Strategic Benefits of ASEAN Membership for New Countries
ASEAN membership offers significant economic benefits. The bloc represents a market valued at approximately USD 3.8 trillion, making it one of the largest regional markets globally.
Additionally, ASEAN’s experience in free trade and cross-border supply chains presents opportunities for new members to expand exports and attract foreign investment. For instance, Vietnam has leveraged its ASEAN membership to become a global manufacturing hub, particularly for electronics, while Malaysia has developed its advanced semiconductor industry.
For Bangladesh, which excels in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and light engineering, ASEAN membership would offer the chance to grow its high-value industries and integrate into ASEAN’s thriving economic landscape. Access to ASEAN’s trade networks would allow Bangladesh to diversify its export markets and increase foreign investment.
For Timor Leste, full membership will enable it to modernize its economy, actively participate in regional forums, and strengthen its diplomatic standing amid Southeast Asia’s geopolitical dynamics. For PNG, integration into ASEAN would enhance regional stability and provide access to broader economic opportunities, although the geographic challenge remains.
Timor Leste and the Future of ASEAN Membership
Timor Leste’s full membership in October 2025 is a historic milestone for ASEAN. It signals the potential for new members to join the bloc while also highlighting the interest of countries like Papua New Guinea and Bangladesh in becoming part of this powerful regional entity.
This decision has political, economic, strategic, and social implications, reinforcing ASEAN’s role as a respected and influential force on the international stage.
