AGP Executive Report

Energy Deal for Timor-Leste: Ashurst Perkins Coie says IFC, ADB and JICA are backing Timor-Leste’s first utility-scale solar plus battery storage project—73.7MW of solar and 80.2MWh storage—aimed at cutting reliance on imported diesel and supplying EDTL under a 25-year power deal. Women in Business: The prime minister highlighted women entrepreneurs as a key driver of Timor-Leste’s economic development. ASEAN Trade Push: Timor-Leste is taking part in the 23rd China-ASEAN Expo in Nanning as ASEAN’s 11th member, with the event spotlighting CAFTA 3.0 opportunities, AI-enabled trade and enterprise matchmaking. Regional Health & Policy: WHO’s South-East Asia regional committee adopted the Dili Declaration on health workforce and moves to improve progress toward universal health coverage. International Spotlight: Timor-Leste was among teams affected by a disrupted Asian Games flag hoisting ceremony in Nagoya, after organisers cited “lack of communication” and “trouble” before the event resumed.

Renewables Finance: Ashurst Perkins Coie says Timor-Leste has secured US$85.7m for its first utility-scale solar plus battery storage project, a 73.7MW grid solar plant paired with an 80.2MWh BESS, with power sold to EDTL under a 25-year deal. Regional Trade & Tech: Timor-Leste is also in the spotlight at the 23rd China-ASEAN Expo in Nanning, debuting as a full ASEAN member and co-host as CAFTA 3.0 opportunities and an “AI Marketplace” draw thousands of buyers and firms. Disarmament: Timor-Leste signed on to the Convention on Cluster Munitions at the CCM Review Conference in Vientiane, backing global humanitarian efforts even without a direct cluster-munitions history. Mining Watch: Estrella Resources expands its Timor-Leste copper-gold hunt with two new exploration licences, while noting conditional approval for a maiden manganese export to Indonesia. Sports Note: Timor-Leste’s men’s team opened the 46th Chess Olympiad with a 4-0 win over Liechtenstein’s opponents’ side in the first round, signaling early momentum.

ASEAN Trade & Tech: Timor-Leste joined the 23rd China-ASEAN Expo in Nanning as a full ASEAN member and co-host, with the event spotlighting CAFTA 3.0 opportunities, AI marketplaces, and matchmaking for deals across transport, logistics and industrial parks. Renewables Finance: Ashurst Perkins Coie backed IFC, ADB and JICA on Timor-Leste’s landmark US$85.7m utility-scale solar plus battery storage project, a 73.7MW plant with 80.2MWh storage to supply EDTL under a 25-year power deal. Humanitarian Disarmament: Timor-Leste officially signed on to the Convention on Cluster Munitions at a Vientiane review conference, backing global efforts to reduce harm from unexploded ordnance. Mining & Exports: Estrella Resources expanded its Timor-Leste copper-gold hunt with two new exploration licences and secured conditional approval for a maiden manganese export to Indonesia. Digital Payments: NBC and the Central Bank of Timor-Leste signed an MoU to deepen cross-border digital payment cooperation. Regional Integration: Commerce Minister Filipus Pereira said ASEAN membership is about building local capacity and attracting quality investment, not just opening markets.

Cluster Munitions: Timor-Leste officially signed on Sept 15, 2026 its accession declaration to the Convention on Cluster Munitions at a Vientiane conference, backing humanitarian action and the push to tackle UXO impacts. Digital Payments: Timor-Leste’s central bank and Cambodia’s National Bank signed an MoU in Dili to boost cooperation on digital payments, financial innovation, cross-border connectivity, and research and training, including support for trade in local currencies. Trade & Investment: Timor-Leste’s Commerce Minister Filipus Pereira says ASEAN integration is about building local capacity and attracting quality investment, while improving customs, connectivity, standards and the investment climate to help MSMEs shift beyond raw exports. Mining Watch: Estrella Resources expanded its Timor-Leste copper-gold search with two new exploration licences, alongside conditional approval for a maiden manganese export to Indonesia. Finance & Competitiveness: A Council of Ministers meeting on Sept 16 is listed as “available soon,” as Timor-Leste continues work to diversify its economy and court investment.

Timor-Leste Trade & Investment Push: Timor-Leste’s Minister of Commerce and Industry Filipus Pereira says ASEAN integration is about more than bigger markets. He argues the country must build people, business and domestic institutions, improve customs and connectivity, and shift from raw exports toward higher-value products in agriculture, fisheries and resources—using e-commerce and digital trade to overcome geography. Central Banks on Digital Payments: The National Bank of Cambodia and the Central Bank of Timor-Leste signed an MoU to boost digital payments and cross-border financial connectivity, including information-sharing, joint research and training, and support for trade and investment via domestic-currency transactions. Greater Sunrise Timeline Slips: Timor-Leste’s petroleum minister says the Greater Sunrise gas project has been pushed back, with earliest production now targeted for 2034 (or 2035), tightening a schedule long delayed and crucial for LNG investment momentum. Local Capability Upgrade: Ten F-FDTL members have completed specialist training and began operating two Australian Defence Force M730 Steel Camels, marking a step toward locally licensed, self-reliant operation and maintenance. Government Briefing: A press release is listed for the Council of Ministers meeting on September 16, 2026.

Timor-Leste Economy & Investment: Timor-Leste is pushing for “quality investment” to boost competitiveness, with a focus on moving beyond raw exports and helping small businesses overcome gaps in finance, tech, standards and digital tools. Digital Finance: The National Bank of Cambodia and Timor-Leste’s central bank signed a pact to expand cross-border digital payments, including cooperation on research, training and using local currencies to support trade. Energy & LNG: Timor-Leste’s Greater Sunrise gas project has been pushed back to 2034, tightening an already delayed timeline that investors are watching closely for signals on future LNG development. Security & Capability Building: Ten F-FDTL members have completed specialist training and are now licensed to operate Australian Defence Force M730 Steel Camels, marking a step toward local, self-reliant capability. Regional Diplomacy: Timor-Leste also took part in a forum on the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement in Hong Kong, aiming to strengthen regional digital trade links.

Health Policy: WHO South-East Asia members meeting in Dili adopted the Dili Declaration, pushing stronger action on Universal Health Coverage, human resources for health, and wider access to medical devices, diagnostics and assistive technologies, with plans to review progress in 2027 and 2029. Digital Finance: The National Bank of Cambodia and the Central Bank of Timor-Leste signed an MoU to boost digital payments and cross-border connectivity, including joint research and training and support for trade using domestic currencies. Trade & Investment: Timor-Leste’s Commerce and Industry Minister said ASEAN integration should build capacity for people and institutions, attract quality investment, and help MSMEs move beyond raw exports—using better customs, connectivity, standards and digital trade. Energy & LNG: Timor-Leste’s Greater Sunrise timeline has slipped again, with earliest production now pushed to 2034 as the country seeks investment and a path to commercialising gas discoveries. Security & Capability: Ten F-FDTL members graduated as locally licensed operators for two Australian Defence Force M730 Steel Camels, marking a step toward self-reliant specialist capability.

Digital Payments Pact: Timor-Leste’s central bank and Cambodia’s National Bank signed an MoU to boost digital payments, cross-border connectivity, joint research and training, and support trade using local currencies. Health Policy in Dili: The WHO South-East Asia Regional Committee adopted the Dili Declaration, pushing stronger health workforce planning for equitable specialised care, plus resolutions on medical devices, diagnostics, assistive tech, health financing, ending TB, and vaccine confidence. Energy Timeline Shift: At Gastech in Bangkok, Timor-Leste’s petroleum minister said Greater Sunrise production has been pushed back to 2034, tightening a schedule already hit by long delays. Security Capability Build: Ten F-FDTL members graduated from training and began operating two Australian Defence Force M730 Steel Camels, marking a step toward locally licensed specialist capability. Public Finance Cooperation: Timor-Leste and Indonesia moved to strengthen cooperation on public finance management and accounting system reform. ASEAN Football Boost: Indonesia’s PSSI is positioning the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 as a major cultural showcase, with commercial rights led by IMG.

Health Policy in Dili: The WHO South-East Asia Regional Committee wrapped up in Dili with the Dili Declaration on Human Resources for Health, pushing equity in specialised care and Universal Health Coverage, alongside resolutions on medical devices, diagnostics and assistive technologies, health facility resilience, patient and blood safety, sustainable health financing, and ending tuberculosis. TB Push: Member states also committed to stronger, more integrated action to close TB gaps—earlier diagnosis, wider prevention and treatment access, financial protection for families, and readiness for new TB vaccines. Public Administration: Timor-Leste’s Council of Ministers approved a draft decree-law on extraordinary step progression for civil servants in the general career service, aiming to boost motivation and service delivery. Regional Spotlight: Timor-Leste is also being highlighted as an emerging destination as Dili appears on Intrepid Travel’s 2027 “Not Hot List,” citing new flight routes and major infrastructure upgrades.

WHO Health Push in Dili: The WHO South-East Asia Region wrapped up its 79th session in Timor-Leste, adopting the Dili Declaration on Human Resources for Health and backing moves to improve specialised care, health financing, medical devices, diagnostics and assistive technologies, plus resolutions on ending TB and boosting vaccine confidence. TB Commitments: Member states pledged stronger, more integrated TB action—earlier diagnosis, wider prevention and treatment access, and better financial protection for families—after the region accounted for about a third of global TB cases in 2024. Council of Ministers Update: In Dili, the Council of Ministers approved a draft decree-law on extraordinary step progression for civil servants, aiming to improve motivation and service delivery. Education Safety: In the Philippines, four schools in Davao del Sur received new perimeter fences over two days to strengthen learner and staff security. Tourism Spotlight on Timor-Leste: Intrepid Travel included Dili in its 2027 “Not Hot List,” pointing to new flight routes and growing visitor interest as the country prepares for bigger regional attention.

Health Policy in Dili: WHO South-East Asia member states meeting in Timor-Leste adopted the Dili Declaration on Human Resources for Health, pushing for more equitable access to specialised care and stronger health systems, alongside resolutions on medical devices, diagnostics and assistive technologies, health facility resilience, patient and blood safety, sustainable financing, ending TB, and vaccine confidence. TB Push: The same WHO session backed stronger, more integrated action to close TB gaps—focusing on earlier diagnosis, wider prevention and treatment access, financial protection for families, and readiness for new TB vaccines. Medical Devices Rollout: WHO also adopted a resolution calling for time-bound steps so countries can plan, regulate, procure, manage, and safely decommission quality-assured devices and in vitro diagnostics, with national lead mechanisms by 2027 and baseline assessments by 2028. Government Update (Civil Service): Timor-Leste’s Council of Ministers approved a draft decree-law on extraordinary step progression for general civil service staff, aiming to boost motivation and performance while improving public service delivery. Regional Agriculture Talks: India’s agriculture minister held bilateral meetings with Timor-Leste (and others) on institutional cooperation for agriculture research, technology, food security, and trade.

Health Policy in Dili: WHO South-East Asia ministers meeting in Timor-Leste adopted the Dili Declaration on Human Resources for Health, pushing equity in specialised care and backing moves on health financing, patient safety, and Universal Health Coverage. TB Push: The same WHO session also committed to stronger, more integrated action to end tuberculosis, with emphasis on earlier diagnosis, wider prevention and treatment access, financial protection for families, and readiness for new TB vaccines. Medical Devices Plan: WHO members agreed a time-bound resolution to improve equitable access to quality-assured medical devices, including in vitro diagnostics and assistive technologies, with national lead mechanisms by 2027 and baseline assessments by 2028. Local Governance: The Council of Ministers approved a draft decree-law on extraordinary step progression for civil servants, aiming to boost motivation and performance while improving public service delivery. Regional Economy: Timor-Leste is positioning its ASEAN membership to attract investment and diversify beyond oil and gas, with priorities including energy, tourism, and sustainable development.

Health Policy in Dili: The WHO South-East Asia Regional Committee wrapped up in Timor-Leste with the Dili Declaration on Human Resources for Health, pushing equity in specialised care and backing moves on medical devices, diagnostics and assistive technologies, health financing, TB action, and vaccine confidence. Medical Devices Push: Member states also adopted a resolution calling for time-bound upgrades to national systems for planning, regulating, procuring and managing quality-assured devices, with lead mechanisms by 2027 and baseline assessments by 2028. Timor-Leste Governance: A Council of Ministers meeting in Dili approved a draft decree-law on extraordinary step progression for civil servants, aiming to improve motivation and service delivery. Regional Economy & Tourism: Timor-Leste is positioning itself as an ASEAN bridge to the Pacific, while Dili was highlighted by Intrepid Travel’s 2027 “Not Hot List” as a low-crowd destination ready for more visitors. Regional Agriculture Talks: India’s agriculture minister held bilateral discussions with Timor-Leste on stronger institutional cooperation for food security, research and technology.

Health Policy: The WHO South-East Asia Region wrapped up its 79th session in Dili by adopting the Dili Declaration on Human Resources for Health, pushing for fairer access to specialised care and backing moves on medical devices, diagnostics and assistive technologies, health financing, TB action, and vaccine confidence. Government & Services: Timor-Leste’s Council of Ministers approved a draft decree-law on extraordinary step progression for civil servants, aiming to boost motivation and service delivery while setting eligibility rules and exclusions. Regional Economy & Investment: Timor-Leste is positioning itself as a bridge between Southeast Asia and the Pacific, using ASEAN membership to attract investment and diversify beyond oil and gas, with priorities including energy, tourism and sustainable development. Agriculture Cooperation: On the sidelines of ASEAN-India agriculture talks, Timor-Leste met India to discuss stronger institutional cooperation on agriculture and food security, including potential expert exchanges. Tourism Spotlight: Dili was highlighted by Intrepid Travel in its 2027 “Not Hot List”, pointing to new connectivity and growing visitor readiness.

ASEAN & Regional Ties: Timor-Leste is using its ASEAN membership to push deeper economic links with Southeast Asia and the Pacific, with President José Ramos-Horta highlighting plans to diversify beyond oil and gas through energy, tourism, and stronger connectivity. Agriculture Cooperation: India’s agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan held talks with Timor-Leste’s Marcos Da Cruz, focusing on food security and building an institutional mechanism for cooperation in agriculture, research, and innovation. Tourism Spotlight: Dili has been named on Intrepid Travel’s 2027 “Not Hot List,” with the campaign pointing to new flight routes and growing tourism readiness as the country seeks more visitors without repeating overtourism problems. Digital & Connectivity Push: At a regional digital forum, leaders stressed that ASEAN connectivity must go hand-in-hand with public trust so rural and remote communities are not left behind—an issue Timor-Leste is likely to watch closely as it integrates further.

ASEAN–India Agriculture Talks: India’s Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan held bilateral meetings with Malaysia, Timor-Leste and Myanmar in New Delhi, pushing cooperation on agricultural research, technology, germplasm exchange, trade and market access, with Timor-Leste seeking stronger institutional support to tackle food security challenges. ASEAN Digital Push: At an ASEAN conference in Malaysia, leaders stressed that connectivity and public trust must move together so rural and remote communities are not left behind, with calls for open-access infrastructure and government support where private operators can’t. Timor-Leste’s ASEAN Momentum: Timor-Leste’s President Jose Ramos-Horta said ASEAN membership is helping the country pursue wider economic connectivity and attract investment beyond oil and gas, including energy and tourism, while strengthening domestic production. Tourism Spotlight: Intrepid Travel’s 2027 “Not Hot List” includes Dili, highlighting the capital as a less-visited destination gaining momentum after new flight routes and major infrastructure plans.