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.
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.
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