Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn (left), with President of Timor-Leste, H.E. Jos茅 Manuel Ramos-Horta (right) during the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025, in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland.

PRESIDENT JOS脡 RAMOS-HORTA ANNOUNCED THAT TIMOR-LESTE AIMS TO ACHIEVE FULL ASEAN MEMBERSHIP BY MAY 2025, WITH ONGOING EFFORTS TO MEET ACCESSION CRITERIA.

On 27 January 2025, President Jos茅 Ramos-Horta revealed that Timor-Leste’s full membership in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is anticipated to be finalized by May 2025. He emphasized that this goal is a national priority during remarks at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

The announcement follows the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat held on 19 January 2025 in Langkawi, Malaysia, where ministers commended Timor-Leste’s progress in implementing the roadmap for full membership. Timor-Leste’s Foreign Minister, Bendito Freitas, attended the retreat as an observer.

Vice-Minister for ASEAN Affairs, Milena Maria da Costa Rangel, stated that Timor-Leste aims to fulfill all accession roadmap criteria by April 2025. Preparations include nationwide advocacy campaigns to raise ASEAN awareness, participation in capacity-building programs, and aligning national policies with ASEAN standards.

Timor-Leste’s Foreign Minister, Bendito Freitas during ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat in Langkawi, Malaysia.

Minister Freitas expressed a desire for Timor-Leste to officially join ASEAN under Malaysia’s chairmanship. He described 2025 as a pivotal year, calling it a “decisive and historic moment” for the country.

Freitas highlighted his country鈥檚 active participation in ASEAN summits since its in-principle admission in 2022 under Cambodia鈥檚 chairmanship. He argued that Timor-Leste鈥檚 inclusion would strengthen ASEAN鈥檚 unity and diplomatic influence, adding, 鈥淲e can be one power, one voice together as ASEAN.鈥 

Source: ASEAN.org & ASEAN BERNAMA