• Timor-Leste may join ASEAN as its 11th member state by October 2025.
• The bloc's foreign ministers support Timor-Leste's full membership ambitions.
• Challenges remain regarding Timor-Leste's capability to meet ASEAN's development goals.

Timor-Leste is poised to become the 11th member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) by October 2025, as indicated by Malaysia's foreign minister, Mohamad Hasan. He announced that Dili has made "meaningful progress in implementing a roadmap" for joining the regional bloc during an ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur. Timor-Leste's admission into ASEAN would further enrich the organization's diversity, although the country remains one of the world's poorest, facing challenges in contributing effectively to ASEAN's development agenda, as reported by channelnewsasia, indiatimes, and thejakartapost.

The foreign ministers of ASEAN member states have expressed "strong support" for Timor-Leste's accession, particularly noting the country's progress in meeting outstanding criteria for membership. Mohamad Hasan did not elaborate on specific hurdles yet to be overcome, but he indicated that full membership might be formalized during the next ASEAN gathering in October, when Malaysia is set to chair the summit. This prospect aligns with ongoing efforts to streamline the legal procedures necessary for Timor-Leste's accession process, according to channelnewsasia and indiatimes.

Timor-Leste's journey towards ASEAN membership has a historical backdrop, as it achieved independence from Indonesia in 2002 and was granted observer status in 2022 after submitting its membership application first in 2011. The country's president, Jose Ramos-Horta, has been a long-time advocate for full membership. Despite its aspiration, Timor-Leste faces difficulties, such as high levels of inequality, malnutrition, and reliance on oil, which complicate its integration into ASEAN's economic frameworks. Infrastructure and human resource capacity are also critical areas that need enhancement for effective participation in ASEAN's initiatives, as highlighted by thejakartapost and indiatimes.