Timor-Leste Joins ASEAN as 11th Member, Giving the Philippines a ‘Christian Brother’ in the Bloc

Timor-Leste has officially joined the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as its 11th member state, marking a historic milestone for the young nation and the regional bloc.

The predominantly Catholic country becomes the second Christian-majority nation in Southeast Asia, alongside the Philippines. According to the 2015 Timor-Leste census, around 97.6% of its population identifies as Roman Catholic, making it the most Christian nation in Asia.

In comparison, about 79.5% of Filipinos are Roman Catholic, and when including other Christian denominations, roughly 88.5% of the population identifies as Christian.

The Philippines, a founding member of ASEAN, now welcomes a fellow Christian-majority nation into the regional alliance. Analysts say this development could strengthen cultural and historical ties between the two nations, both deeply influenced by centuries of Catholic tradition.

Timor-Leste, officially known as the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, has long expressed interest in joining ASEAN since gaining full independence in 2002. The country’s membership was unanimously approved by ASEAN leaders during the recent summit, signaling the bloc’s continued commitment to inclusivity and regional integration.

The inclusion of Timor-Leste expands ASEAN’s reach to 11 nations and underscores the group’s diversity — now encompassing a broader mix of cultures, religions, and histories.

As ASEAN moves forward, Timor-Leste’s participation is expected to enhance regional cooperation, particularly in areas of education, culture, and governance — fields where the Philippines and Timor-Leste already share strong parallels.