Diplomatic Correspondent; Dbarta24 — Bangladesh’s long-standing ambition to join the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has hit a major legal roadblock. ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn stated that membership for both Bangladesh and Papua New Guinea (PNG) remains virtually impossible without fundamental revisions to the bloc’s charter.
Speaking at the 10th ASEAN Media Forum in Manila—as reported by Indonesian media outlet Jakarta Globe—Kao emphasized that geographical boundaries strictly define the expansion limits of the 11-nation regional organization.
Geographic Boundaries and Charter Rules
According to the ASEAN Charter, which serves as the legal foundation for the bloc, candidate nations must be officially located within the recognized geographical boundaries of Southeast Asia.
Because Bangladesh is classified geographically under South Asia and Papua New Guinea falls within Oceania, neither nation meets the foundational criteria required for membership.
“With Timor-Leste’s inclusion, ASEAN’s geographical expansion is practically complete,” Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn clarified during the forum, noting that all 11 recognized Southeast Asian nations are now part of the bloc.
He further noted that admitting countries outside Southeast Asia would require a formal amendment to the ASEAN Charter, which mandates unanimous consensus from all existing member states.
Diplomatic Push and Regional Hurdles
Despite these strict legal limitations, both Bangladesh and PNG have actively pursued closer integration and membership:
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Bangladesh’s Diplomatic Efforts: Dhaka has consistently engaged in diplomatic outreach to secure support, including dialogue with Malaysia during its ASEAN chairmanship.
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PNG’s Support: Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto previously voiced support for Papua New Guinea’s inclusion during the 2025 Kuala Lumpur ASEAN summit, suggesting PNG could help strengthen regional stability.
However, the rigorous accession process is well documented. Expressing frustration over Timor-Leste’s decade-long wait before finally securing membership, Timor-Leste President José Ramos-Horta once remarked:
“Getting into ASEAN is harder than getting into heaven!”
Unless member states unanimously decide to alter the charter’s definition of the region, ASEAN’s boundaries will remain set at 11 members, leaving external applicants like Bangladesh to rely on sector-specific partnerships rather than full structural membership.