East Timor joins ASEAN, signs nuclear-weapon-free zone treaty
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East Timor becomes ASEAN’s 11th member and joins the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone treaty, marking the bloc’s first expansion in 25 years.
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Foreign ministers and economic ministers of ASEAN member countries pose for a group photo during the ASEAN Joint Foreign and Economic Ministers' Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Saturday, October 25, 2025 (AP)
East Timor has officially deposited its instruments of accession to the ASEAN Charter and the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone during the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations announced.
“Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today joined other Foreign Ministers in a historic and momentous occasion, where the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste deposited its Instrument of Accession to the ASEAN Charter, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, signifying its formal admission to ASEAN, underscoring its commitment to ASEAN’s principles and values,” ASEAN said in a statement on X.
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today joined other Foreign Ministers in a historic and momentous occasion, where the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste deposited its Instrument of Accession to the ASEAN Charter, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, signifying its formal… pic.twitter.com/b2DKtTj156
— ASEAN (@ASEAN) October 25, 2025
The official accession ceremony of East Timor, formally known as Timor-Leste, is set for Sunday, marking the country’s full membership in ASEAN as its 11th member, the bloc’s first expansion in 25 years.
In addition to joining ASEAN, East Timor has also become a party to the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (SEANWFZ), which prohibits nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction within the region.
“Through this accession, Timor-Leste reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening regional peace, security, and stability, and support for ASEAN’s long-standing vision of a Southeast Asia free of nuclear weapons,” ASEAN added.
East Timor, home to about 1.4 million people, 75% of whom are under 35, gained independence in 2002. Earlier this year, President José Ramos-Horta said his government hoped to open an embassy in Moscow, signaling the young nation’s growing global engagement.
