Enlargement of ASEAN

The ASEAN Charter defines the following criteria for membership:{{Cite book |date=January 2008 |title=The ASEAN Charter |url=https://asean.org/wp-content/uploads/images/archive/publications/ASEAN-Charter.pdf |publisher=The ASEAN Charter |page=9 |isbn=9789793496627}}{{Cite journal |last=Thuzar |first=Moe |date=June 2, 2017 |title=What does it take to join ASEAN? |url=https://www.iseas.edu.sg/images/pdf/ISEAS_Perspective_2017_36.pdf |journal=ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute |issue=2017}}

• The state must be geographically located in Southeast Asia.
• The state must be recognized by all ASEAN member states.
• The state must agree to be bound by the ASEAN Charter.
• The state must be able and willing to carry out the obligations of membership.

One of the obligations of membership is that a prospective member must agree to subscribe or accede to all the treaties, declarations and agreements in ASEAN, starting with those outlined in the Bangkok Declaration of 8 August 1967 and those elaborated and developed in various subsequent treaties, declarations and agreements of ASEAN. One common concern that must be addressed through negotiations is the ability of a prospective member to participate in ASEAN Free Trade Area and all other economic co-operation arrangements. One important means of orientation for a prospective member is its attendance at ASEAN meetings and participation in co-operation projects.[http://www.ibiblio.org/obl/reg.burma/archives/199612/msg00022.html Preparations for the Membership of ASEAN] Retrieved 14 May 2011 Other obligations of membership are that a state must maintain embassies in all current member countries of the bloc,[http://www.interaksyon.com/article/2969/aquino-to-back-east-timors-bid-for-asean-membership Aquino to back East Timor's bid for ASEAN membership] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120327071517/http://www.interaksyon.com/article/2969/aquino-to-back-east-timors-bid-for-asean-membership|date=27 March 2012}} Retrieved 14 May 2011 and the country must attend all ministerial meetings and summits.

The Bangkok Declaration lays down no conditions for membership other than location in Southeast Asia and the usual principles of inter-state relations. ASEAN has no membership criteria related to the character of government, ideological system and orientation, economic policy, or level of development. If there were such criteria for membership, a regional association would not be possible in Southeast Asia, given its diversity.Severino, Rodolfo (2006) Southeast Asia in search of an ASEAN community: insights from the former ASEAN secretary-general, Institute of Southeast Asian Studies.

ASEAN senior officials agreed in 1983 that observer status should be granted only to potential members of ASEAN who satisfy the criteria set for ASEAN membership.

ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), the multilateral dialogue among Asia Pacific countries is aimed for fostering dialogue and consultation, also promoting confidence-building and preventive diplomacy throughout the region.[http://www.aseanregionalforum.org/Default.aspx?tabid=49 About Us] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070225060912/http://www.aseanregionalforum.org/Default.aspx?tabid=49 |date=25 February 2007 }}, [http://www.aseanregionalforum.org/ ASEAN Regional Forum official website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130725021423/http://www.aseanregionalforum.org/ |date=25 July 2013 }}. Retrieved 12 June 2006. The membership criteria for ARF, as well as other Dialogue Partners, were outlined during the second ARF in 1996, in Jakarta, Indonesia. ARF ministers adopted the criteria that ARF participants must be sovereign states, which, at China's behest, was evidently meant to exclude Taiwan. They must "abide by and respect fully the decisions and statements already made by the ARF". The criteria stress that ASEAN members "automatically" take part in the ARF.

ASEAN was established on 8 August 1967, when foreign ministers of five countries – Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand – met at the Thai Department of Foreign Affairs building in Bangkok and signed the ASEAN Declaration, more commonly known as the Bangkok Declaration. The five foreign ministers: Adam Malik of Indonesia, Narciso Ramos of the Philippines, Abdul Razak of Malaysia, S. Rajaratnam of Singapore, and Thanat Khoman of Thailand are considered as the organisation's Founding Fathers.{{cite book |title=The Asia-Pacific Profile |author1=Bernard Eccleston |author2=Michael Dawson |author3=Deborah J. McNamara |year=1998 |publisher=Routledge (UK) |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l07ak-yd6DAC&q=%22Bangkok+Declaration%22+ASEAN&pg=RA1-PA311|isbn=0-415-17279-9 }}

File:ASEAN Enlargement 1967-1999.svg

File:ASEAN Nations Flags in Jakarta 3.jpg

In 1976, the Melanesian state of Papua New Guinea was accorded observer status.{{cite web|url=http://www.asean.org/3839.htm |title=ASEAN secretariat |publisher=ASEAN |date=23 July 1999 |access-date=12 January 2009}} The bloc then grew when Brunei Darussalam became the sixth member after it joined on 8 January 1984, barely a week after the country became independent on 1 January.{{cite web |title=Background Note:Brunei Darussalam/Profile:/Foreign Relations |publisher=United States State Department |url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2700.htm |access-date=6 March 2007 }}

Vietnam became an ASEAN observer state in 1993{{cite web |title=Vietnam's Membership of ASEAN: Issues and Implications |url=http://www.aph.gov.au/binaries/library/pubs/cib/1995-96/96cib03.pdf |website=Department of the Parliamentary Library}} and the seventh full member on 28 July 1995.{{cite web |url=http://www.asean.org/10098.htm |title=Vietnam in ASEAN : Toward Cooperation for Mutual Benefits |work=ASEAN Secretariat |year=2007 |access-date=28 August 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130705153429/http://www.asean.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5 |archive-date=5 July 2013 |df=dmy-all }}

The latest three members of ASEAN began their application in joining the bloc in the 1990s.

Laos became an ASEAN observer at the 25th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM) in Manila, Philippines, in July 1992. At the 28th AMM in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, the Lao foreign minister announced that he wished to see Laos join ASEAN in 1997, stated in a letter of application for membership dated 15 March 1996.

Cambodia was accorded observer status at the 28th AMM in July 1995. The Cambodian foreign minister applied for membership in a letter dated 23 March 1996. Like Laos, Cambodia also wished to join ASEAN in 1997.

The foreign minister of Myanmar attended the 27th and 28th AMM as a guest of the host governments. During the 28th meeting, Myanmar acceded to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia and applied for observer status.

The heads of government of Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia met with those of ASEAN during the Fifth ASEAN Summit in Bangkok on 15 December 1995. The representative of Myanmar expressed hope that his country would be accorded observer status at the 29th AMM in 1996.

The ASEAN Security Committee (ASC) established a working group, chaired by ASEAN Deputy Secretary-General Mr. Mahadi Haji Wasli, to look into all issues on the potential membership of Cambodia and Laos. On 17 July 1996, the working group held consultations with the director-general of the ASEAN Department of Laos in Jakarta.

At the 29th AMM, Myanmar was accorded observer status, and participated in the ARF for the first time. On 12 August 1996, Myanmar submitted application for membership in ASEAN, with hopes for joining by 1997 along with Cambodia and Laos. The ASC then extended the mandate of the Working Group on the Membership of Cambodia and Laos to also include the membership of Myanmar.

Laos and Myanmar became members of ASEAN on 23 July 1997.{{cite book|title=ASEAN Enlargement: impacts and implications|author1=Carolyn L. Gates |author2=Mya Than |year= 2001|publisher=Institute of Southeast Asian Studies|isbn=981-230-081-3}} Cambodia's membership was deferred due to the country's internal political struggle; following the stabilisation of its government, Cambodia joined on 30 April 1999.{{cite web|url=http://www.asean.org/3338.htm |title=Statement by the Secretary-General of ASEAN Welcoming the Kingdom of Cambodia as the Tenth Member State of ASEAN : 30 April 1999, ASEAN Secretariat |work=ASEAN Secretariat |year=2008 |access-date=28 August 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511153639/http://www.asean.org/3338.htm |archive-date=11 May 2011 |df=dmy }}

In addition to the growth in membership, the bloc experienced a drive for further integration in the 1990s. In 1990, Malaysia proposed the creation of an East Asia Economic Caucus[http://www.asean.org/9303.htm East Asia Economic Caucus] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302193928/http://www.asean.org/9303.htm |date=2 March 2012 }}. ASEAN Secretariat. Retrieved 14 March 2007. composing the then-members of ASEAN and the People's Republic of China, Japan, and South Korea, with the intention of counterbalancing the growing influence of the United States in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and in the Asian region as a whole.[https://digital.library.unt.edu/govdocs/crs//data/1993/upl-meta-crs-66/93-633f_1993Jun30.txt?PHPSESSID=f7a7ec622077fa19bfce9ec9def6f3d9 UNT.edu], Asia's Reaction to NAFTA, Nancy J. Hamilton. CRS - Congressional Research Service. Retrieved 14 March 2007. This proposal failed, however, due to heavy opposition from the United States and Japan.{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20070411012405/http://www.asiaviews.org/?content=ger53rger567664&voices=20060125184254 Asiaviews.org]}}, Whither East Asia? Retrieved 14 March 2007.[http://www.iht.com/articles/1994/07/26/caucus.php IHT.com], Japan Straddles Fence on Issue of East Asia Caucus. International Herald Tribune. Retrieved 14 March 2007. Despite this failure, member states continued to work for further integration and ASEAN Plus Three was created in 1997.

In 1992, the Common Effective Preferential Tariff (CEPT) scheme was signed as a schedule for phasing tariffs and as a goal to increase the "region's competitive advantage as a production base geared for the world market". This law acted as the framework for the ASEAN Free Trade Area. After the East Asian Financial Crisis of 1997, a revival of the Malaysian proposal was established in Chiang Mai, known as the Chiang Mai Initiative, which calls for better integration between the economies of ASEAN and the ASEAN Plus Three countries.{{cite web|title=Regional Financial Cooperation among ASEAN+3|publisher=Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs|url=http://www.mof.go.jp/english/if/regional_financial_cooperation.htm#CMI|access-date=29 September 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081009153256/http://www.mof.go.jp/english/if/regional_financial_cooperation.htm#CMI|archive-date=9 October 2008|df=dmy-all}}

[[File:ASEAN Enlargement.svg|350px|thumb|

{{legend|#3f48cc|Member states}}

{{legend|#86fdf1|Candidates: Papua New Guinea and Timor-Leste}}

{{legend|#fff200|Potential candidates for observer status: Bangladesh and Fiji}}]]

{{main|Accession of Papua New Guinea to ASEAN}}

Papua New Guinea (PNG) has been an observer of the regional bloc since 1976, earlier than any other non-original member of ASEAN. Its leaders have been pushing for full membership since at least the 1980s.{{cite web|url=http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/commentary/is-png-ready-to-join-asean-not-quite-yet/560037|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130216213342/http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/commentary/is-png-ready-to-join-asean-not-quite-yet/560037|url-status=dead|archive-date=16 February 2013|title=Is PNG Ready to Join Asean? Not Quite Yet|last=Jacobs|first=Sean|date=6 December 2012|access-date=26 January 2013|publisher=Jakarta Globe}} During the 29th AMM in 1996, PNG Foreign Minister Kilroy Genia proposed that Papua New Guinea be accorded permanent associate membership with ASEAN.{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20030429224957/http://www.aseansec.org/4005.htm OPENING STATEMENT BY H.E. AMBASSADOR LEONARD LOUMA SPECIAL ENVOY OF THE PAPUA NEW GUINEA GOVERNMENT]}} PNG Prime Minister Michael Somare stated during his visit to the Philippines in 2009 that his country was considering applying for full membership.{{cite web|url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/154860/news/nation/papua-new-guinea-asks-rp-support-for-asean-membership-bid|title=Papua New Guinea asks RP support for Asean membership bid|date=30 March 2009|access-date=26 January 2013|publisher=GMA News and Public Affairs}} In March 2012, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono expressed his support for PNG membership in ASEAN.{{cite web|url=http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/2010/09/20/opinion/Is-an-Asean-12-possible--with-Timor-Leste-30138306.html|title=Is an Asean 12 possible - with Timor-Leste?|last=Chongkittavorn|first=Kavi|date=20 September 2010|access-date=7 July 2013|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304071945/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/2010/09/20/opinion/Is-an-Asean-12-possible--with-Timor-Leste-30138306.html|url-status=dead}} In June 2013 PNG Foreign Minister Rimbink Pato reiterated that the country was "very interested" in joining ASEAN.{{cite web|url=http://www.bt.com.bn/news-asia/2013/06/30/png-keen-full-asean-membership|title=PNG keen on full ASEAN membership|date=30 June 2013|access-date=3 October 2013|publisher=The Brunei Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005012419/http://www.bt.com.bn/news-asia/2013/06/30/png-keen-full-asean-membership|archive-date=5 October 2013|url-status=dead}}

An obstacle to PNG's admission to ASEAN has been its geographical location. Although located no farther away from ASEAN's Jakarta headquarters than northern Myanmar, PNG is usually considered to be outside Southeast Asia according to Wallace line and thus ineligible for membership. When the country was granted the observer status in 1976, it was acknowledged that PNG shares the same political and economic region with ASEAN's member, and was connected geographically, because the country forms half of the island of New Guinea, with the other half consisting of Indonesia's provinces of Papua and West Papua.

In 2015, PNG appointed a special envoy to deal with matters related to ASEAN, reflecting its determination to expedite becoming a full member of the ASEAN bloc. PNG was also taking the necessary steps to prepare itself for integration.{{cite web|url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/280670/png-to-appoint-special-envoy-for-asean|title=PNG to appoint special envoy for ASEAN|work=Bernama|publisher=Radio New Zealand|date=6 August 2015|access-date=6 August 2015}}

{{main|Accession of East Timor to ASEAN}}

File:José Ramos-Horta, USAID 2009.jpg

In March 2011 Timor-Leste submitted a membership application to ASEAN,{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12644608|title=East Timor applies to join Asean|work=BBC News|last=McGeown|first=Kate|date=4 March 2011|access-date=27 March 2012}} a move which was supported by Indonesia, its former colonialist turned partner-ally, and the Philippines, its only Catholic ally in Asia.{{cite web|url=http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2011/11/19/i-have-my-own-view-sby-tells-pm-lee-hsien-loong.html|title=I have my own view, SBY tells PM Lee Hsien Loong|access-date=27 March 2012|date=27 March 2012|publisher=Jakarta Post|last=Dua|first=Nusa}}

Timor-Leste gained its independence in 2002, and from the following year took part in the Southeast Asian Games, a multi-sport event associated with ASEAN. In 2005, the country became the 25th to join the ARF. The biggest struggle toward joining ASEAN had been for the young and war-torn country to maintain embassies in all ten ASEAN member countries.{{Cite web |url=http://www.interaksyon.com/article/2969/aquino-to-back-east-timors-bid-for-asean-membership |title=Aquino to back Timor-Leste's bid for ASEAN membership |access-date=14 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120327071517/http://www.interaksyon.com/article/2969/aquino-to-back-east-timors-bid-for-asean-membership |archive-date=27 March 2012 |url-status=dead }} Timorese President José Ramos-Horta hoped to gain membership before 2012.{{Cite web |url=http://www.acp-eucourier.info/Timor-s-key-concern.162.0.html |title=Timor's key concern: preparing for ASEAN membership |access-date=14 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110817233119/http://www.acp-eucourier.info/Timor-s-key-concern.162.0.html |archive-date=17 August 2011 |url-status=dead }}

Lack of consensus has prevented ASEAN from arriving at decisions on observer status for Timor-Leste and its accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation. The treaty makes clear distinctions between the rights of regional and non-regional signatories, but whether Timor-Leste a part of the region is debatable.

Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong objected in late 2011 to Timor-Leste's membership, due to his desire to achieve economic integration by 2015, which the relatively less-developed Timor-Leste would make difficult.{{cite news|url=http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2011/11/19/i-have-my-own-view-sby-tells-pm-lee-hsien-loong.html |title=I have my own view, SBY tells PM Lee Hsien Loong |publisher=Jakarta Post |date=19 November 2011 |access-date=3 April 2012}} Some member states are concerned that, having experienced the entry of four relatively underdeveloped members, ASEAN would be admitting an even poorer one. Although ASEAN has no membership criteria regarding political ideology, some ASEAN countries have difficulties with Timor-Leste's eventual membership.{{Citation needed|date=September 2011}}

In 2015, Timor-Leste's ambassador to Malaysia said the country was ready to join ASEAN, having fulfilled the two major requirements of being located in the region and having opened embassies in ASEAN member countries.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=98869|title=Timor Leste is ready to join Asean grouping|work=Bernama|publisher=Daily Express|date=11 April 2015|access-date=11 April 2015}} In 2016, Indonesia announced that Timor-Leste's membership bid could be realized in 2017, since the feasibility studies conducted by both countries on Timor-Leste's stability, security, economy, and culture would be finished by the end of 2016. The Philippines, a close ally of Timor-Leste, would be the ARF host for 2017.{{cite news|url=https://thediplomat.com/2016/05/east-timor-hopes-for-asean-membership-by-2017/|title=East Timor Hopes for ASEAN Membership by 2017|first=Luke|last=Hunt|work=The Diplomat|date=27 May 2016|access-date=24 February 2017}}{{update inline|date=November 2018}}

In November 2022, following the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summit in Phnom Penh, the organization issued statement agreeing "in principle" to East Timor's membership, granting East Timor observer status at high-level meetings and stating that a roadmap to full membership would be submitted in the 2023 summit.{{cite news |title=ASEAN agrees in principle to admit East Timor as 11th member |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asean-agrees-principle-admit-east-timor-11th-member-2022-11-11/ |access-date=11 November 2022 |work=Reuters |date=11 November 2022 |language=en}}

At the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo in May 2023 a roadmap to Timor Leste's accession was adopted.{{Cite web |title=Milestone of ASEAN-Timor Leste Relations |url=https://www.kompas.id/baca/english/2023/05/13/milestone-of-asean-timor-leste-relations |access-date=2023-05-24 |website=Kompas English Edition |language=en}}

A number of countries had expressed an interest in becoming part of ASEAN despite being outside the geographical limits of Southeast Asia.

Laos in 2011 supports Bangladesh gaining observer status in ASEAN.{{cite web|url=http://www.newstoday.com.bd/index.php?option=details&news_id=30287&date=2011-06-14|title=Lao to back Bangladesh for getting observer status of ASEAN|publisher=The News Today|date=14 June 2011|access-date=16 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111117144040if_/http://www.newstoday.com.bd/index.php?option=details&news_id=30287&date=2011-06-14|archive-date=17 November 2011|url-status=dead}} In 2024, Muhammad Yunus sought Indonesia and Malaysia support for Bangladesh to join ASEAN. https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/yunus-seeks-indonesias-support-bangladeshs-asean-membership-3743686 https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3277348/will-bangladesh-join-asean-maritime-arbitration-wins-and-cultural-links-favour-dhakahttps://asianews.network/bangladesh-chief-adviser-yunus-seeks-malaysias-support-for-asean-membership/https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/malaysia-openly-support-bangladeshs-bid-asean-membership-high-commissioner-3703551

Fiji has expressed an interest in be granted observer status at ASEAN. In 2011, the President of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, reportedly advised the Prime Minister of Fiji, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, that he would advocate for consideration of this request during Indonesia's chairmanship of ASEAN.{{cite news |url=https://fijisun.com.fj/2011/04/07/indonesia-backs-fijis-asean-bid/ |title=Indonesia Backs Fiji's ASEAN Bid |date=April 7, 2011 |work=Fiji Sun }}

{{Main|Accession of Sri Lanka to ASEAN}}

Sri Lanka was initially invited by Malaysia to join ASEAN as a founding member on 8 August 1967,{{Cite book |last1=Nathan |first1=S. R. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=60Lqcx1ytckC |title=An Unexpected Journey: Path to the Presidency |last2=Auger |first2=Timothy |date=2011 |publisher=Editions Didier Millet |isbn=978-981-4260-73-2 |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Suryanarayan |first=V. |date=2022-10-18 |title=The myth and reality of ASEAN unity |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/opinions/2022/Oct/17/the-myth-and-reality-of-asean-unity-2509184.html |access-date=2024-05-13 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}} however the country did not proceed as ASEAN was pro-Western and Sri Lanka was then pursuing a policy of non-alignment.{{cite book |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=McwfCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA455 |title=The Oxford Handbook of Indian Foreign Policy|date=23 July 2015|editor= David M. Malone |editor2=C. Raja Mohan |editor3=Srinath Raghavan |page=455 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=9780191061189}}{{cite web |url=http://www.eurasiareview.com/27122011-sri-lanka-fresh-insights-on-attempts-to-join-asean-analysis/ |title=Sri Lanka: Fresh Insights On Attempts To Join ASEAN – Analysis|date= December 27, 2011|work=Eurasia Review |author=V. Suryanarayan}} There was also objection from Singapore over concerns of domestic instability from tensions between the two main ethnic groups of Sri Lanka.{{cite news|url= http://asiantribune.com/node/6856 |title=Singapore's Rajaratnam prevented Sri Lanka joining ASEAN – The Nation |date=August 7, 2007|work=Asian Tribune }} Interest from within the country later became evident and it attempted to join ASEAN by 1981.{{cite news |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/sri-lanka-expresses-wish-to-join-asean-eyebrows-raised-in-new-delhi/1/401849.html |title=Sri Lanka: Operation ASEAN |author=Mervyn De Silva|date=May 31, 1981 |work=India Today}}{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OdDZy2fdZmMC&pg=PA341 |title=ASEAN-South Asia Economic Relations |year=1985 |editor= Charan D. Wadhva |editor2=Mukul G. Asher|page=341 |publisher=Institute of Southeast Asian Studies |isbn=9789971902988 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.dailynews.lk/2016/12/01/features/100742 |title=Let Us Join ASEAN |work=Daily News |date=December 1, 2016 }} In both cases, Malaysia has been a supporter of Sri Lanka's accession into ASEAN, while Singapore opposes it.{{cite news |date=6 August 2007 |title=Asean's birth a pivotal point in history of Southeast Asia |url=http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/08/06/headlines/headlines_30043849.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130614200718/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/08/06/headlines/headlines_30043849.php |archive-date=14 June 2013 |publisher=The Nation |df=dmy-all}} In 2007, Sri Lanka was among the 27 participants in the ARF.{{cite web |url=http://www.mfa.gov.lk/index.php/media/news-archive/239-sri-lanka-becomes-the-27th-participant-to-join-asean-regional-forum-arf |title=Sri Lanka becomes the 27th participant to join ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) |work=Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sri Lanka |access-date=8 December 2017 |archive-date=8 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171208175159/http://www.mfa.gov.lk/index.php/media/news-archive/239-sri-lanka-becomes-the-27th-participant-to-join-asean-regional-forum-arf |url-status=dead }} On 15 March 2025, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Hearth announced that Sri Lanka applied for ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partnership.{{Cite web |title=Sri Lanka seeks ASEAN sectoral partnership, not membership: Minister |url=https://www.dailymirror.lk/breaking_news/Sri-Lanka-seeks-ASEAN-Sectoral-Partnership-not-membership-Minister/108-304464 |access-date=2025-03-15 |website=www.dailymirror.lk |language=en}}

In February 2018, independent think tank Australian Strategic Policy Institute recommended that Australia seek ASEAN membership by 2024.{{cite web|last1=Dobell|first1=Graeme|title=Australia as an ASEAN Community partner|url=https://www.aspi.org.au/report/australia-asean-community-partner|publisher=Australian Strategic Policy Institute|access-date=15 March 2018}} In 2016, former Australian prime minister Paul Keating suggested that Australia join ASEAN.{{cite news|last1=Karp|first1=Paul|title=Paul Keating calls for more independent Australian foreign policy after US election|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/nov/10/paul-keating-calls-for-more-independent-australian-foreign-policy-after-us-election|access-date=15 March 2018|work=The Guardian|date=10 November 2016}} During a 2018 interview with Fairfax Media, Indonesian President Joko Widodo stated that Australia should join the organization.{{cite news|last1=Grigg|first1=Angus|title=Indonesian President Jokowi wants Australia in ASEAN, said free trade deal is close|url=http://www.afr.com/news/economy/trade/indonesian-president-jokowi-wants-australia-in-asean-says-trade-deal-is-close-20180315-h0ximd|access-date=15 March 2018|work=Australian Financial Review|date=15 March 2018}} In March 2024, Philippine President Bongbong Marcos also expressed openness for Australia to join.{{cite news |last1=Dantes |first1=Charles |title=Australia as ASEAN member OK—PBBM |url=https://www.manilastandard.net/news/314423836/australia-as-asean-member-ok-pbbm.html |access-date=9 March 2024 |work=Manila Standard |date=7 March 2024}}

In May 2017, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said that Mongolia had expressed a desire to join ASEAN. He then stated that he would push for the other member states to include them.{{cite news|title=Turkey, Mongolia could join ASEAN: Duterte|url=https://www.gulf-times.com/story/548236/Turkey-Mongolia-could-join-ASEAN-Duterte|access-date=19 June 2019|work=Gulf Times|date=16 May 2017}}

In February 2018, independent think tank Australian Strategic Policy Institute recommended that Australia and New Zealand should join ASEAN by 2024.

In June 2019, a researcher at Johns Hopkins University recommended that Palau has the potential to meaningfully participate in ASEAN. He then argued that the United States should try to persuade Thailand to push for observer status for Palau during its chairmanship of ASEAN.{{cite news|last1=Walsh|first1=Michael|title=Rethinking Palau's Place in the Free and Open Indo-Pacific|url=https://thediplomat.com/2019/06/rethinking-palaus-place-in-the-free-and-open-indo-pacific|access-date=19 June 2019|work=The Diplomat Magazine|date=18 June 2019}} In 2018, Palau and the Philippines began re-connecting their economic and diplomatic relations. As a way to enhance and expand cooperation, the country has expressed its intent to back Palau if ever it wishes to join ASEAN, as Palau also has Southeast Asian ethnic origins.{{Cite web |date=2019-12-22 |title=PH, Palau agree to enhance ties » Manila Bulletin News |url=https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/02/16/ph-palau-agree-to-enhance-ties/ |access-date=2023-07-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191222040232/https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/02/16/ph-palau-agree-to-enhance-ties/ |archive-date=22 December 2019 }}

In November 2022, Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabić said that Serbia would seek to cooperate with ASEAN. She also said that Serbia will have Singapore support for this.{{Cite web |last=Babsek |first=Jelena |date=2022-11-16 |title=PM Brnabic: Singapore will support Serbia's membership in ASEAN |url=https://n1info.rs/english/news/pm-brnabic-singapore-will-support-serbias-membership-in-asean/ |access-date=2023-08-30 |website=N1 |language=sr-RS}}{{Cite web |title=Serbia Ingin Gabung ASEAN, Singapura Mendukung |url=https://kumparan.com/kumparannews/serbia-ingin-gabung-asean-singapura-mendukung-1zI4xvFHvmj |access-date=2024-09-25 |website=kumparan |language=id-ID}} In July 2023, Serbia's accession request to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia was unanimously approved.{{Cite web |last=srbija.gov.rs |title=Serbia's ASEAN accession request unanimously approved |url=https://www.srbija.gov.rs/vest/en/209658/serbias-asean-accession-request-unanimously-approved.php |access-date=2023-08-30 |website=www.srbija.gov.rs |language=en}} In 16 September 2024, The Serbian parliament formally requests for an associate membership in the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), citing historical cooperation in the Non-Aligned Movement.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-09-16 |title=ASEAN receives Serbia’s request to join AIPA |url=https://n1info.rs/english/news/asean-receives-serbia-s-request-to-join-aipa/ |access-date=2024-09-25 |website=N1 |language=sr-RS}}

In May 2017, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said that Turkey had expressed a desire to join ASEAN. He then stated that he would push for the other member states to include them.

In September 26 2024, The Türkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made these comments before departing from New York, where he attended and delivered a speech at the 79th United Nations General Assembly.

“BRICS and ASEAN offer opportunities to enhance our economic cooperation. Being part of these structures does not mean abandoning NATO. We do not view these alliances as alternatives to each other,” Erdogan said.

“Those who say ‘Don’t join BRICS or any other structure’ are the same people who kept Türkiye waiting at the EU’s door for years,” he added.

He emphasized that Türkiye’s inclusion in regional partnerships like BRICS and ASEAN would shift regional dynamics.

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