After more than a decade of anticipation, Timor-Leste has finally been officially accepted as the 11th full member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
The historic decision was formalized during the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur (October 26), where Timor-Leste’s flag was raised alongside those of the ten other member states.
Amid thunderous applause, Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão signed the declaration of membership with tears in his eyes, a deeply emotional moment marking the culmination of a 14-year diplomatic journey filled with challenges and perseverance.
Yet behind the celebration lies a lingering question: why did the admission process take so long?
Read also: Timor-Leste to Officially Become ASEAN Member After 14 Years of Waiting
From a Long-Held Dream to Reality
Since gaining independence in 2002, Timor-Leste has viewed ASEAN membership as an integral part of its geopolitical identity. This aspiration was not new; even during the struggle for independence in the 1970s, Timorese nationalists envisioned a nation closely connected with the broader Southeast Asian region.
However, the country’s turbulent history, most notably the Indonesian invasion and 24-year occupation, delayed this dream for decades.
Following the UN-supervised independence referendum in 1999 and a transitional period that lasted until 2002, Timor-Leste’s new government quickly made regional integration a strategic priority. In 2007, the young nation signed the ASEAN Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, and four years later, in 2011, it formally applied for full membership.
On paper, Timor-Leste had met all membership requirements as early as 2014. The country fulfilled every criterion outlined in Article 6 of the ASEAN Charter: being geographically located in Southeast Asia, recognized by existing member states, committed to upholding ASEAN principles, and possessing the capacity to carry out membership obligations.
However, despite meeting all formal criteria, ASEAN’s door did not immediately open.
Economic Challenges and Political Doubts
The main obstacles to Timor-Leste’s ASEAN membership came from economic limitations and institutional readiness. With a population of only around 1.4 million and a heavy dependence on oil revenues, the country was considered unprepared to face the economic complexities of ASEAN.
Countries like Singapore openly voiced concerns that Timor-Leste lacked the administrative capacity and human resources needed to keep pace with the region’s fast-moving and agenda-heavy organization.
These criticisms were not entirely unfounded. When Timor-Leste first submitted its application in 2011, it was still struggling with limited infrastructure—unstable electricity supply, underdeveloped roads, and inadequate telecommunications networks, all remnants of destruction from the post-occupation era.
Weak bureaucracy and an undiversified economy led some ASEAN members to worry that admitting Timor-Leste might place an additional burden on the organization’s internal mechanisms.
However, for Dili, the delay became an opportunity to strengthen its foundations. The government focused on developing human capital, modernizing administrative systems, and aligning national regulations with international standards.
Timor-Leste’s WTO membership application in 2016 and its eventual completion in 2024 demonstrated the country’s growing readiness to integrate into the global trading system.
ASEAN’s Consensus Dilemma
Beyond Timor-Leste’s internal challenges, ASEAN’s own decision-making dynamics also contributed to the delay. The organization operates on a consensus-based system, where major decisions must be approved by all member states.
While this mechanism reflects ASEAN’s postcolonial spirit of solidarity and equality, it often acts as a double-edged sword—preserving political stability but slowing down the decision-making process.
In Timor-Leste’s case, this principle tested the very essence of the so-called “ASEAN Way.” Some members, such as Myanmar and Singapore, adopted a cautious stance, while others, including Indonesia and Malaysia, strongly supported Timor-Leste’s accession.
The prolonged internal debate reflected the ongoing tension between the spirit of inclusivity and the need for institutional efficiency.
It was not until 2022 that ASEAN finally granted “membership in principle,” allowing Timor-Leste to participate in meetings and undergo internal familiarization processes. The following two years became an intensive adjustment period, culminating in May 2025, when Timor-Leste was officially admitted as a full member of ASEAN.
The Meaning of Membership and Future Challenges
Timor-Leste’s entry into ASEAN carries a twofold significance. For Timor-Leste, it marks a milestone of political and economic maturity—opening access to regional markets, investment opportunities, and strategic forums such as the East Asia Summit and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
For ASEAN, however, the inclusion of a new member also means greater political and economic diversity, which could make it more difficult to achieve consensus in future decision-making.
With the lowest GDP in the region and a heavy reliance on oil revenues, Timor-Leste faces a significant challenge in aligning itself with ASEAN’s economic integration agenda. President José Ramos-Horta has openly acknowledged that building institutional capacity will be a long-term process.
On the other hand, Timor-Leste brings fresh values to the regional bloc—a vibrant democracy, a free press, and a strong commitment to human rights. These qualities could enrich ASEAN’s internal dynamics, which have long been characterized by a mix of diverse political systems and governance models.
