With the accession of Timor‑Leste as a full member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the door to further expansion of the regional bloc seems more open than ever.
One country that stands out as the most likely candidate to follow is Papua New Guinea (PNG).
While hurdles still remain, PNG has both the ambition and some favorable conditions to make a serious bid for membership.
Below, we examine the background of PNG’s bid, its motivations, the criteria and challenges it faces, and what its membership might mean for ASEAN.
Papua New Guinea’s Aspirations and The Current State of Play
Papua New Guinea has made clear its desire to join and become a full and active member of ASEAN.
Its foreign affairs ministry reaffirmed that PNG intends to transition from its long-held status as an ASEAN Special Observer (since 1976) and become a full member, noting that it offers strategic geography and economic potential.
At a summit in May 2025, as reported by ANTARA News, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto publicly supported PNG’s bid, proposing that PNG join the bloc alongside Timor-Leste.
Meanwhile, as reported by Philippine News Agency, ASEAN officials indicated that the bloc may soon begin deliberations over PNG’s accession, provided consensus among current members.
This momentum suggests that PNG’s candidacy is well on its way from aspiration toward a more concrete process.
Why Does PNG Wants to Join ASEAN?
The motivations for PNG are multi-faceted. Situated on the eastern border of Indonesia and sharing a land boundary with the Indonesian province of Papua, PNG is physically adjacent to Southeast Asia and has long served as a bridge between Asia and the Pacific.
PNG’s leadership maintains that membership would better link it to the fast-growing economies of Southeast Asia, open new trade and investment pathways, and strengthen its international standing, according to The National.
From ASEAN’s perspective, including PNG would extend the bloc’s reach into the Pacific, deepen its economic connectivity, and enhance its strategic position amid shifting global dynamics.
PNG’s abundant natural resources, large exclusive economic zone and population of over 10 million are all cited as added value.
Criteria, Obstacles, and the Membership Pathway
Despite PNG’s clear interest and some support, significant challenges remain. One key issue is the membership criteria of ASEAN.
The ASEAN Charter stipulates that candidates must be located in the geographical region of Southeast Asia, must be recognized by all current member states, and must be prepared to assume the rights and obligations of membership.
Geographically, PNG is often classified as part of the Pacific island region rather than strictly Southeast Asia, and this creates a discussion point among ASEAN members.
Economically and institutionally, PNG will need to demonstrate that it can align with ASEAN’s frameworks for economic integration, harmonize statutes, invest in diplomatic infrastructure and meet standards of the bloc.
In fact, PNG has yet to submit a formal full membership application formally, though it is preparing a cabinet policy submission for the National Executive Council.
Moreover, membership requires the unanimous support of all ASEAN member states, and any hesitation or unresolved concerns among the ten would delay or block accession.
Thus, the process for PNG will likely be deliberate, taking time for bilateral engagements, capacity-building and consensus-building.
Further Implications
Should Papua New Guinea become a full member of ASEAN, the implications would be substantial.
ASEAN’s membership would widen beyond its current core Southeast Asian geography into the Pacific fringe, enhancing the bloc’s regional footprint and influence in the Indo-Pacific.
PNG’s inclusion could facilitate deeper integration between Pacific island economies and Southeast Asia, opening new trade corridors and amplifying people-to-people links across the two regions.
At the same time, adding another member brings additional complexity to ASEAN’s consensus-based model of decision-making.
A larger membership means more stakeholders, more diverse economic capacities and more varied political systems, which could slow collective action or require even more institutional coordination.
For PNG, accession would bind it to ASEAN’s obligations in economic, security and socio-cultural pillars, demanding sustained domestic reforms and alignment with regional norms.
What Comes Next
In the coming months and years, the key variables will be: PNG’s formal submission of a membership application, the response of the ASEAN Secretariat and member states, and the timetable for accession negotiations.
Given that Timor-Leste’s membership was years in the making, stakeholders expect that PNG’s accession will not be immediate but rather a multi-year process. ASEAN’s own statements acknowledge the need for study and consensus before moving forward.
Meanwhile, PNG can advance its candidacy by strengthening its legal and diplomatic frameworks, deepening bilateral cooperation with ASEAN nations and improving institutional readiness.
For ASEAN, the group will assess not only the political will but also practical readiness of PNG to contribute to—and benefit from—the community.
If all aligns, PNG could become ASEAN’s next member in the medium term, further cementing the bloc’s role as a central forum in the Asia-Pacific era.
