AGP Executive Report

Timor-Leste Energy & Investment: Timor Gap says it has signed a binding deal with Osaka Gas to buy a 10% stake in the Greater Sunrise gas project, raising Timor-Leste’s participation to 66.56% and aiming to speed up the path to a final investment decision amid the long-running pipeline dispute. Climate Diplomacy: In Dili, the LDC Group adopted a declaration calling for more predictable, accessible, grant-based support for climate-hit countries, with Nepal’s flood losses and needs highlighted by LDC ministers. Health Milestone: The WHO has validated Timor-Leste’s elimination of trachoma as a public health problem, marking a major step toward preventing blindness in the region. Catholic Homecoming: Three former Church leaders’ remains returned to Dili with full military honours, as Timor-Leste prepares to lay them to rest alongside a fourth bishop. Regional Human Stories: Reports continue of dozens of Punjab youths stranded in Timor-Leste after being promised jobs in Australia, with families urging Indian authorities to secure their return.

Energy & Grid Stability: Cebu’s power woes are worsening, with Visayas under red/yellow alerts as NGCP reports capacity shortfalls tied to plant outages and limited imports—provincial leaders are pushing DOE Visayas to fast-track projects like the Alegria oil and gas redevelopment and tighten outage monitoring. Climate Finance at COP31 Prep: In Dili, the LDC Group backed a push for more financial, technical, and grant-based support for climate-hit countries, with Nepal’s BhoteKoshi flood losses highlighted as a stark example of climate injustice. East Timor Energy Deal: Timor Gap says it signed a binding agreement with Osaka Gas to buy a 10% stake in the Greater Sunrise gas project, aiming to speed up decisions after years of pipeline and export-location disputes. Health Milestone: WHO validated Timor-Leste’s elimination of trachoma as a public health problem, marking a major regional health achievement. Humanitarian/Community: Three Church leaders’ remains returned to Dili with full military honours, as Timor-Leste prepares a national Catholic commemoration.

Health Milestone: The WHO has validated Timor-Leste’s elimination of trachoma as a public health problem, marking a major step toward preventing blindness across the South-East Asia region. Diplomacy & Climate: Timor-Leste brought ministers from Least Developed Countries together in Dili to align common priorities for COP31, with Nepal’s BhoteKoshi flood and climate justice concerns front and center. Church & National Memory: The mortal remains of three former Church leaders returned to Timor-Leste and were received with full military honours, as the country prepares to lay all four prelates to rest together in Dili. Regional Security Context: Japan says it may provide defense equipment to about 12 countries for free in fiscal 2026, with Vietnam and Timor-Leste listed as potential recipients. Public Health Watch: A dengue warning is echoed in regional reporting, noting Timor-Leste among places seeing higher dengue activity and urging travelers to check risks before trips.

Health Milestone: The WHO has validated Timor-Leste’s elimination of trachoma as a public health problem, marking the end of endemic trachoma in the WHO South-East Asia Region and highlighting years of planning, field checks and surveillance. Climate Justice: At the LDC ministerial meeting in Dili, Minister Gita Chaudhary urged urgent, grant-based support for Nepal after the BhoteKoshi flood and landslides, calling it a climate-driven loss and damage crisis and pressing for predictable financing. International Cooperation: Timor-Leste and the United Arab Emirates moved to strengthen ties during a UAE visit focused on digital services, food security and investment. Maritime Talks: Timor-Leste and Indonesia held a fourth round of negotiations on the maritime border. Government Update: The Council of Ministers met in Dili, including a review of rising heavy equipment rental and fuel costs that may require updating reference prices for infrastructure projects, plus presentations for the 2027–2030 medium-term plan. Regional Security Aid: Japan says East Timor is a potential recipient of expanded defense equipment support for like-minded countries.

ASEAN Parliamentary Push: AIPA’s 49th anniversary message from Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III urged parliaments to turn regional cooperation into credible laws and real results that improve daily life. Timor-Leste–UAE Ties: During UAE Minister of State Noura Al Kaabi’s visit, Timor-Leste and the UAE agreed to deepen cooperation on digitising government services, plus food security, water management, and investment, with talks aimed at finalising economic agreements. Maritime Border Talks: Timor-Leste and Indonesia held a fourth round of negotiations on their maritime border. Government–Church Tribute: The Government and the Catholic Church paid tribute to four historic prelates from Timor-Leste. Energy Dealmaking: Finder Energy launched a tender for geophysical and environmental baseline work for its Kuda Tasi and Jahal (KTJ) offshore oil development, targeting an investment decision before year-end. Council of Ministers Update: The Council of Ministers met in Dili, reviewing rising heavy equipment rental and fuel costs for infrastructure projects and presenting the 2027–2030 Medium-Term Plan. Public Safety Reminder: A Timor-Leste-born teenager’s death in Oxford is still under inquest, with community messages urging parents to warn children about open-water swimming dangers.

Energy & Investment: Finder Energy has launched a key tender for geophysical, geotechnical and environmental baseline surveys for its KTJ oil development offshore Timor-Leste, with a final investment decision targeted before year-end and the FPSO work expected to start in early 2027. Digital Cooperation: The UAE and Timor-Leste say they will deepen ties in digitising government services, plus food security, water management and investment, following official meetings in Dili. Regional Climate Diplomacy: Australia’s Anthony Albanese defended the Pacific pre-COP31 process in Fiji and Tuvalu after criticism over low confirmed turnout, with Timor-Leste named among leaders expected to attend. Government Planning: Timor-Leste’s Council of Ministers met in Dili, reviewing updated reference costs for heavy equipment and fuel affecting infrastructure delivery, and presenting the 2027–2030 Medium-Term Plan. ASEAN & Trade Platforms: Timor-Leste is set to debut as a co-organiser at the 23rd China-ASEAN Expo in Nanning, highlighting trade and tech showcases for ASEAN businesses.

ASEAN & Timor-Leste Diplomacy: President José Ramos-Horta says ASEAN should aim for peace in the South China Sea, while noting Timor-Leste’s ASEAN path means meeting treaty and legal changes that can override domestic law. Regional Climate Push (Pre-COP31): Fiji and Tuvalu are lining up Australia-organised UN pre-COP talks, with Timor-Leste named among confirmed leader attendees, as Pacific leaders press for stronger climate action ahead of COP31. Digital Government Cooperation: Timor-Leste launched verify.gov.tl, a national document verification platform built with Cambodian technology, using QR-based checks for credentials like driver’s licences—continuing a regional push to share digital public infrastructure. UAE–Timor-Leste Ties: The UAE and Timor-Leste plan to deepen cooperation in digitising government services, food security, water management, and investment, with talks on finalising economic agreements. Security & Defence Links: Indonesia’s Super Garuda Shield 2026 exercise is underway with Timor-Leste observers, as drills focus on readiness, defence diplomacy, and cyber capability-building. Pacific Partnership 2026: A new wave of Pacific Partnership personnel has arrived in Malaysia for disaster response preparedness, working with regional partners on humanitarian and engineering support.

Digital Government Cooperation: The UAE and Timor-Leste agreed to deepen ties in digitising government services, plus cooperation on water management, food security and investment, with talks led by UAE Minister of State Noura Al Kaabi and Timor-Leste President José Ramos Horta. Regional Digital Infrastructure: Cambodia’s award-winning document verification platform verify.gov.kh is being exported to Timor-Leste, where verify.gov.tl launched on June 1—starting with driver’s licences and planned expansion to education and civil registry records. ASEAN Trade & Tech: Timor-Leste will debut as a co-organiser at the 23rd China-ASEAN Expo in Nanning (Sept 17–21), featuring new AI and “AI marketplace” features aimed at ASEAN businesses. Security Drills With Observers: Indonesia’s Super Garuda Shield 2026 runs Aug 31–Sept 11 with 21 countries participating; East Timor is among those sending observers as the drills include cyber defence and special forces training. Maritime Sanctions Watch: EU forces stopped a tanker linked to the Russian shadow fleet, with claims it was flying the flag of Timor-Leste while transporting Russian oil.

Timor-Leste Digital Identity Boost: Timor-Leste has launched verify.gov.tl, a national document verification platform built with Cambodian technology, starting with driver’s licences and planned next for education certificates and civil registry records—another push for shared digital public infrastructure in the region. Regional Tech Cooperation: Cambodia’s verify.gov.kh won a UN Public Service Award for transparency and accountability, and the same model is now being exported to Timor-Leste. Maritime Security Watch: The EU’s Operation IRINI stopped a sixth shadow-fleet tanker, MV SUN, reportedly flying the flag of Timor-Leste while transporting Russian oil—flag verification and sanctions scrutiny continue. Defence Drills With Timor-Leste Observers: Indonesia, the US and allies kicked off Super Garuda Shield 2026, with 4,700 troops from 21 countries and Timor-Leste among those sending observers. UNGA 2026 Agenda: As world leaders head to New York, UNGA 2026’s agenda is shaped by wars, funding cuts, and US-Iran tensions.

Maritime Security: EU naval forces stopped the sixth suspected Russian shadow-fleet tanker in the Mediterranean for “flag verification,” boarding the MV SUN, which reportedly flew a Timor-Leste flag and was linked to sanctions-bypassing oil shipments. Regional Defence Cooperation: Indonesia’s Super Garuda Shield 2026 kicked off with about 4,700 troops from 21 countries, with Timor-Leste listed among participating observers, as drills also include cyber defence. Diplomacy: Indonesia’s President Prabowo accepted President José Ramos-Horta’s invitation to visit Timor-Leste, with both sides signaling continued cooperation across environment, research, higher education, science and innovation. Public Memory: Timor-Leste marks the 27th anniversary of the 30 August 1999 Popular Consultation, a key milestone in the country’s path to independence. Health & Community: An East Timorese woman in Australia received the Sunshine Coast’s first toe-to-thumb transfer after losing her thumb in a workplace accident, highlighting ongoing links between Timor-Leste families and overseas care.

Timor-Leste–Indonesia diplomacy: President Jose Ramos-Horta met Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in Jakarta, with both sides reaffirming a “good neighbor” approach and discussing cooperation in environment, research, higher education, science and innovation. High-profile science links: Prabowo welcomed Ramos-Horta’s delegation of about 20 Nobel laureates and urged them to collaborate with Indonesian researchers, with BRIN expected to help turn ideas into projects. Visit on the agenda: Ramos-Horta invited Prabowo to visit Timor-Leste; Prabowo accepted and said it will be scheduled, though no date was announced. Regional cooperation: Indonesia’s Papua region officials said Papua could become a “center of gravity” for deeper Timor-Leste ties, especially on connectivity and human resources. Business and investment: Timor-Leste and Australia, with Property Council NT, announced a Darwin-to-Dili business program (Oct 27–30) to connect Australian and Timorese firms and government counterparts.

Indonesia–Timor-Leste diplomacy: Timor-Leste President José Ramos-Horta invited Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto to visit Dili, and Prabowo agreed to put it on the agenda, with both sides pointing to expanded cooperation in environment, research, higher education, science and innovation. Business ties: Timor-Leste and Australia, with Property Council NT, announced a four-day “Darwin to Dili Business & Investment Summit / Invest Timor-Leste 2026” in Dili (27–30 Oct), featuring briefings, site visits and B2B matchmaking. Science & Nobel engagement: Prabowo met Ramos-Horta and a delegation of Nobel laureates, urging collaboration with Indonesian researchers and academics to strengthen the research ecosystem. Regional security cooperation: Japan plans to expand official security assistance to at least 12 “like-minded” countries in FY2026, including East Timor, as part of wider Indo-Pacific maritime and surveillance cooperation. Disaster & environment: Indonesia’s Prabowo ordered village-level education on forest and land fire risks via Babinsa officers, while BRIN said cassava flour is still under testing and not yet ready for large-scale firefighting. ASEAN governance: ASEAN lawmakers concluded a Hainan visit with discussions on shared legislative challenges, environmental protection and digital economy growth, including East Timor participation.

Indonesia–Timor-Leste Diplomacy: Timor-Leste President José Ramos-Horta invited Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto to visit Dili, and Prabowo agreed to put it on the agenda, with talks also pointing to cooperation in environment, research, higher education, science and innovation. Nobel Laureates in Jakarta: Ramos-Horta arrived in Jakarta with around 20 Nobel and Turing Award laureates, and Prabowo urged them to collaborate with Indonesian researchers to strengthen the research ecosystem. Business Links: Timor-Leste and Australia, with Property Council NT, announced a four-day Darwin to Dili Business & Investment Summit and Invest Timor-Leste 2026 in October to connect business and government through briefings, site visits and matchmaking. Maritime Cooperation Reference: Cambodia’s foreign minister cited the Timor-Leste–Australia maritime dispute as an example of how long-running cases can be resolved through international law, while urging other UNCLOS conciliation processes to move forward. Regional Security Aid: Japan said it plans to expand official security assistance to East Timor and other Indo-Pacific partners, including surveillance and monitoring support.

Australia–Timor-Leste Business Push: Timor-Leste and Australia, with Property Council NT, are set to run the Darwin to Dili Business & Investment Summit and Invest Timor-Leste 2026 in Dili from 27–30 October, linking Australian and Timorese firms and government through briefings, site visits and B2B matchmaking. Presidential Diplomacy: Indonesia’s Prabowo has accepted Jose Ramos-Horta’s invitation to visit Timor-Leste, with both sides pointing to expanded cooperation in environment, research, higher education, science and innovation. Science & Research Ties: Prabowo also urged Nobel laureates to work with Indonesian researchers, as Ramos-Horta leads a Nobel delegation in Jakarta after meetings in Dili. Blue Economy Spotlight: The Timor-Leste OceanX Symposium: Science for a Blue Future will be held in Dili on 28 August, using OceanX’s 2025 marine mission findings to support conservation, fisheries, sustainable tourism and marine research. Regional Security Cooperation: Japan says it will expand official security assistance to at least 12 countries in fiscal 2026, including East Timor, focusing on maritime surveillance and monitoring.

Diplomacy & Science Links: Timor-Leste President José Ramos-Horta invited Indonesia’s Prabowo Subianto to visit Dili, and Prabowo accepted, with talks also highlighting cooperation in environment, research, higher education, science and innovation. Nobel Laureates in Jakarta: Prabowo met Ramos-Horta and a delegation of about 20 Nobel and Turing Award laureates, urging them to collaborate with Indonesian researchers to strengthen the research ecosystem. Regional Cooperation Push: Indonesia’s officials said Papua could help deepen Indonesia–Timor-Leste ties through connectivity and human resource development. Blue Economy Research: Timor-Leste and OceanX held a Dili symposium on marine science for a “Blue Future,” aiming to turn new ocean findings into practical conservation and fisheries actions. Security Assistance Watch: Japan plans to expand defense equipment support to at least 12 Indo-Pacific countries, including Timor-Leste, as China concerns grow. Community & Culture: Pacific Partnership 2026 wrapped up its third mission stop in Dili, continuing engineering and disaster-preparedness work with Timorese partners.

Diplomatic Ties: Timor-Leste President José Ramos-Horta has invited Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto to visit Dili, and Prabowo has accepted, saying the trip will be “on the agenda,” with both sides pointing to cooperation in environment, research, higher education, science and innovation. Nobel-Led Science Push: Prabowo also urged Nobel laureates visiting Jakarta to collaborate with Indonesian researchers and academics, framing it as part of a “good neighbor” approach and highlighting priorities like free nutritious meals and environmental conservation. Regional Security/Maritime: Cambodia’s foreign minister Prak Sokhonn said Cambodia and Thailand are engaged in UNCLOS compulsory conciliation over maritime issues, citing the Timor-Leste–Australia case as proof disputes can be resolved through international law. Blue Economy & Research: The Timor-Leste OceanX Symposium: Science for a Blue Future is set for Dili’s convention centre, aiming to turn OceanX marine findings into action for conservation, fisheries management, sustainable tourism and future research. Trade & Investment: Australia, Timor-Leste and Property Council NT are partnering on a Darwin to Dili business summit and Invest Timor-Leste 2026, with matchmaking and site visits planned for late October in Dili. Public Notice: Timor-Leste has announced a day off on September 1 (all day) and September 10, 2026 (afternoon) for the repatriation of Catholic prelates’ mortal remains.