Doors Closed for Bangladesh, PNG’s ASEAN Bids
ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn has confirmed that Bangladesh and Papua New Guinea will not be admitted to the bloc. The decision is based on the ASEAN Charter, which limits membership to countries within the Southeast Asian geographical region.
Why it matters
This clarifies the geopolitical boundaries of ASEAN and sets a precedent for future regional expansion efforts.
July 31, 2026 | 8:45 am SHARE URL berhasil di salin. From left, Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, President Prabowo Subianto, and Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet hold hands for a group photo during the opening ceremony of the 48th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings in Cebu, Philippines, on Friday, May 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila, Pool) Manila. Chances are slim to none for Bangladesh and Papua New Guinea (PNG) to be ASEAN members, according to the bloc's top official, citing that these countries do not meet the geographical requirements.
Bangladesh and PNG aspire to join ASEAN, with Port Moresby even receiving Indonesian backing. However, ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn recently confirmed that Timor-Leste would be the last country the group would bring into its fold.
"We have come to an end to the enlargement," Kao told the 10th ASEAN Media Forum in Manila.
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