The country’s admission caps off a 14-year journey toward accession, but also presents new challenges for the Southeast Asian bloc.

ASEAN is a regional bloc of 11 Southeast Asian nations, including founding members Indonesia and Malaysia, with Timor-Leste being the newest addition in 2025.

Anwar signed the declaration first, followed by other Asean leaders and Timor-Leste. Timor-Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao said becoming Asean’s 11th member marks the beginning of an inspiring new chapter for the nation. “Timor-Leste joins with humility and pride,” he said.

This week's ASEAN Summit in Malaysia has brought an enhanced ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia and the induction of Timor-Leste as a new member state. But much attention has shifted to US-China trade talks taking place on the sidelines,

The World Bank is looking to evaluate the readiness of ASEAN Member States for cross-border digital identity and verifiable credential interoperability.

Timor-Leste has been welcomed into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) as the grouping's 11th member, following an official cerem

ASEAN members were “meeting at a time when global order is undergoing profound changes”, said Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan at a rare joint meeting on Saturday (Oct 25).

Kuala Lumpur Hosts ASEAN Summit In Kuala Lumpur, foreign ministers from Southeast Asia convened on Saturday in anticipation of a significant ASEAN summit. This event will officially welcome East Timor as the 11th member of the bloc and marks US President Donald Trump's inaugural visit to Asia since his return to the White House.