Welcome, Timor-Leste: A New Chapter in ASEAN Cooperation and Intellectual Property Development
The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), in the context of the EU-funded SCOPE IPR project, extends their warmest congratulations to the Government and people of Timor-Leste on the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste becoming the 11th Member State of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on 26 October 2025, at the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This historic milestone marks the culmination of years of commitment and preparation by Timor-Leste and its ASEAN partners toward deeper regional integration, cooperation and shared prosperity.
The EUIPO is encouraged by Timor-Leste’s commitment to economic development and regional partnership and looks forward to working alongside the Government to support the advancement of its intellectual property (IP) work through the SCOPE IPR project it implements in close cooperation with the ASEAN Secretariat and ASEAN Member States.
Joining ASEAN opens new opportunities for Timor-Leste’s innovators, creators, entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to engage with a broader regional economy. ASEAN membership connects Timor-Leste to a dynamic community of nations that values collaboration, innovation and competitiveness - and where robust intellectual property systems play an essential role in enabling sustainable growth and trade.
The SCOPE IPR project, which runs until 2028, aims to strengthen IP protection, IP system and capacity improvement, and enhance enforcement across the ASEAN region by collaborating closely with ASEAN Member States IP offices and the ASEAN Secretariat. By improving legal and regulatory frameworks, enhancing IP administrative capacity and raising awareness of the importance of IP, SCOPE IPR helps create environments that protect creativity, support investment and drive innovation.
For Timor-Leste, engagement with SCOPE IPR offers a practical pathway to build IP systems that reflect best practices and standards, while being tailored to the needs of its government, businesses and creative communities. As Timor-Leste continues its journey within ASEAN, SCOPE IPR stands ready to support knowledge exchange, capacity building and collaborative activities that contribute to a strong, inclusive and forward-looking IP environment.
Strong IP frameworks not only protect inventions, designs, trademarks and creative works but also foster confidence among investors, enhance access to regional markets and help local enterprises grow and compete internationally. With Timor-Leste’s accession to ASEAN, these advantages now extend to a broader set of partners, enabling new opportunities for regional cooperation and economic participation.
The EUIPO through the SCOPE IPR project remains committed to working with the ASEAN Secretariat, the Government of Timor-Leste, and ASEAN Member States’ IP offices to support initiatives that strengthen IP systems and empower innovators, SMEs and creative industries across Southeast Asia. Timor-Leste is welcomed into this vibrant regional community to share progress toward a prosperous, innovative and inclusive ASEAN.