The Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN) has formally accepted the nation of Timor Leste as the 11th member of the multi-lateral regional grouping.
The announcement accepting Timor Leste was made on Friday, 11 November 2022, at an ASEAN leadership meeting held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The proclamation stated that ASEAN had reached a principled agreement to accept Timor Leste as the 11th member of ASEAN. The remaining formal steps to bring Timor Leste to full membership in the Association will be discussed at the next ASEAN Summit in 2023.
Indonesia will accept the rotating chairmanship of ASEAN in 2023.
In recent years, the Indonesian government has lobbied to accept Timor Leste into ASEAN membership.
In 2002, Timor Leste was formally acknowledged by the United Nations, making it the youngest democracy in Asia. Former East Timor applied for ASEAN membership in 2011.
Today, Timor Leste has a population of 1.3 million.
Related Links
Timor-Leste Tourism & Travel Guide