AGP Executive Report

ASEAN & Diplomacy: Timor-Leste’s leadership is leaning into ASEAN unity and resilience as Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão flies to Vietnam and attends the ASEAN Future Forum 2026 in Hanoi, with officials framing the event as a people-centred push for peace and prosperity after Timor-Leste’s ASEAN accession. Bilateral Ties (Vietnam): The Vietnam visit is set to deepen cooperation in education, higher education, and other strategic areas, with agreements expected to be signed alongside high-level meetings. Tourism Skills Push: Dili’s Ministry of Tourism has launched a Timor-Leste Tourism Ambassador Programme, offering free certified training for hospitality workers on customer service, professionalism, and local heritage, with more sessions planned through July to September. Regional Peacebuilding: President José Ramos-Horta says full ASEAN membership is already bringing faster infrastructure and investment, while also stressing reconciliation and dialogue as the route to stability. Foreign Affairs (Myanmar): Timor-Leste is urged to avoid statements that could harm Myanmar’s image, after Myanmar raised concerns over remarks made by Ramos-Horta at regional forums.

ASEAN & Diplomacy: Timor-Leste’s President José Ramos-Horta used an ERIA lecture in Jakarta to stress reconciliation, dialogue, and ASEAN integration, saying full membership is already accelerating infrastructure and investment while Timor-Leste prepares to align laws ahead of its 2029 ASEAN chair role. Regional Engagement: Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão is set to visit Vietnam and attend ASEAN Future Forum 2026 in Hanoi, with both sides pointing to deeper trade and investment in telecoms, digital transformation, agriculture, energy, and skills—building on the Telemor/Viettel partnership. Tourism & Skills: The Ministry of Tourism launched the Timor-Leste Tourism Ambassador Programme, a free certified training for hospitality workers in Dili, with 59 participants in the first phase and more sessions planned through September. Foreign Affairs: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged Timor-Leste to avoid statements that could harm Myanmar’s image, after remarks by Ramos-Horta were criticised by Myanmar as violating ASEAN non-interference principles. Justice & Business: Timor-Leste and the EU signed agreements to modernize the justice system and promote sustainable business. Digital Services: Timor-Leste officially launched verify.gov.tl to advance digital public services and socio-economic growth. Energy & Investment: Finder Energy submitted key documents for the Kuda Tasi and Jahal (KTJ) oil fields in the Timor Sea, including the EIS and field development plan, as approvals move forward.

Digital Government Push: Timor-Leste officially launched verify.gov.tl in Dili, a national document verification portal built with Cambodia’s technical support under a 2025 digital transformation MoU—aimed at improving public service delivery and socio-economic growth. ASEAN Momentum: President José Ramos-Horta said full ASEAN membership is already speeding up infrastructure and investment, while Timor-Leste prepares to align laws with ASEAN treaties ahead of its 2029 rotating chairship. Regional Diplomacy & Security: At the Shangri-La Dialogue, Timor-Leste’s President drew Myanmar criticism; the Foreign Ministry later urged Timor-Leste to avoid misleading statements that could harm Myanmar’s image and ASEAN unity. Bilateral Trade & Investment: Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão will visit Vietnam (June 7–10) and attend the ASEAN Future Forum, with both sides targeting deeper cooperation in telecoms, digital transformation, agriculture, energy and human resources, building on the Telemor/Viettel partnership. Maritime Boundary Lessons: A lecture in Jakarta highlighted Ramos-Horta’s view of reconciliation and dialogue, pointing to Timor-Leste’s own peacebuilding experience as a model for regional disputes.

Digital Government: Timor-Leste officially launched verify.gov.tl in Dili, a national document verification portal built with Cambodia’s technical support under a 2025 digital transformation MoU, aiming to improve public service delivery and socio-economic growth. ASEAN & Diplomacy: President José Ramos-Horta used an ERIA lecture in Jakarta to argue that full ASEAN membership is already boosting Timor-Leste’s infrastructure and investment, while stressing reconciliation and dialogue as the only way to handle regional flashpoints like Myanmar. Bilateral Ties: Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão will visit Vietnam and attend the ASEAN Future Forum 2026, with both sides pushing deeper cooperation in telecoms, digital transformation, agriculture, energy, and human resources—building on the Telemor/Viettel partnership. Foreign Policy: Timor-Leste’s Foreign Ministry urged restraint after remarks by President Ramos-Horta on Myanmar, saying they were seen as interference and undermined ASEAN unity and bilateral relations. Energy & Industry: Finder Energy reported progress on the KTJ oil fields in the Timor Sea, submitting its EIS and field development plan as approvals move forward.

Digital Government: Timor-Leste officially launched verify.gov.tl in Dili, a national document verification portal built with Cambodia’s technical support, using QR-based proof of authenticity to strengthen public service delivery and transparency. ASEAN & Peacebuilding: President José Ramos-Horta told an ERIA lecture in Jakarta that Timor-Leste’s reconciliation experience can help ASEAN’s future, saying full membership is already bringing faster infrastructure and investment while the country works to align laws ahead of the 2029 chairship. Maritime Dispute Watch: Cambodia moved to start UNCLOS compulsory conciliation against Thailand after Bangkok scrapped a 2001 MoU, pointing to the Timor-Leste–Australia maritime case as a model for peaceful resolution. Regional Mobility Welfare: A Sydney homelessness case involving former Pacific Australia Labour Mobility workers—including people believed to include Timor-Leste nationals—has raised fresh concerns about worker welfare and support systems.

Digital Government: Timor-Leste officially launched verify.gov.tl in Dili, a national portal to verify government documents using Cambodia’s verify.gov model and QR-based authenticity checks, marking a milestone under a 2025 digital transformation cooperation deal. ASEAN Momentum: President José Ramos-Horta said full ASEAN membership is already speeding up infrastructure and investment—hotels, conference venues, road expansion and urban renewal—while Timor-Leste prepares to align laws with ASEAN rules ahead of its 2029 rotating chair role. Regional Security Debate: At the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Ramos-Horta pushed back on the idea that hardware matters most, arguing prevention and dialogue are key to peace. Maritime Diplomacy: Cambodia moved to start compulsory conciliation under UNCLOS in its maritime dispute with Thailand after Thailand terminated a 2001 hydrocarbon MoU, citing international law and pointing to Timor-Leste–Australia’s 2018 maritime settlement as a reference point. Energy & Investment Pipeline: Finder Energy reported progress on the KTJ oil fields in the Timor Sea, submitting its environmental impact statement and field development plan as approvals continue.

Digital Government: Timor-Leste officially launched verify.gov.tl in Dili, a national portal for verifying government documents using a Cambodia-developed model with QR-code authenticity, under a Jan 2025 cooperation deal that aims to improve public services and socio-economic growth. ASEAN & Infrastructure: President José Ramos-Horta says full ASEAN membership is already speeding up infrastructure and investment—hotels, conference halls, road expansion and urban renewal—while Timor-Leste prepares to align laws with ASEAN rules ahead of its 2029 rotating chair. Energy & Industry: Finder Energy submitted key documents for the Kuda Tasi and Jahal oil fields project in the Timor Sea, including the environmental impact statement and field development plan, with further engineering and tender steps underway for a 2027 development push. Regional Security Debate: Ramos-Horta used the Shangri-La Dialogue to argue that prevention and diplomacy matter as much as defense spending, warning that missiles and tanks can’t rebuild trust or stop conflict drivers. Regional Sports Note: Timor-Leste’s recent Asian Cup qualifier results show a tough run of defeats, underscoring pressure on the national team ahead of upcoming matches.

Digital Government: Timor-Leste officially launched verify.gov.tl, a national portal to verify government documents using a QR-code system, built with Cambodia’s technical support under a 2025 cooperation deal—aimed at improving public service delivery and transparency. ASEAN & Investment: President José Ramos-Horta said full ASEAN membership is already bringing faster infrastructure and investment, from hotels and conference halls to road expansion and urban renewal, with legal alignment work targeted to be finished before Timor-Leste takes the ASEAN chair in 2029. Regional Security Diplomacy: At the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Ramos-Horta pushed back on “hardware-first” thinking, arguing prevention and trust-building matter as much as defense spending. Regional Defense Deals: India’s defense chief said a BrahMos missile agreement with Vietnam is signed (not yet publicly announced) and a similar deal with Indonesia is in final stages—showing how regional security procurement is accelerating.

Digital Government: Timor-Leste officially launched verify.gov.tl, a national portal to check the authenticity of government documents, built with Cambodia’s technical support and based on a QR-code verification model. Regional Security Diplomacy: At Singapore’s Shangri-La Dialogue, Timor-Leste President José Ramos-Horta argued that “prevention” matters as much as defense, urging practical diplomacy and even floated the idea of a retired four-star Southeast Asian general to guide Myanmar peace talks “under a tent.” Offshore Energy: Finder Energy submitted key documents for the Kuda Tasi and Jahal (KTJ) Project in the Timor Sea, including an environmental impact statement and field development plan, as approvals move forward. Peacekeeping Remembrance: Nepal marked UN Peacekeepers Day and noted that a Timorese peacekeeper was among those honored posthumously for service in East Timor in 2000.

Digital Services Boost: Timor-Leste officially launched verify.gov.tl in Dili, a national portal to verify government-issued documents using a Cambodia-developed model with QR-based authenticity, under a Jan 20, 2025 cooperation deal; the launch drew senior officials and about 500 guests. Regional Security Debate: At Singapore’s Shangri-La Dialogue, Timor-Leste President José Ramos-Horta pushed back on “hardware-first” thinking, arguing that missiles and tanks can’t replace diplomacy and trust-building. Diplomacy and Peace Talks: Ramos-Horta also floated a plan to guide Myanmar’s conflict by placing a retired four-star Southeast Asian general “under a tent” with all sides, to enable humanitarian access. Education Support (Regional Spillover): While not Timor-Leste-focused, coverage highlights how governments are preparing for school openings with large-scale supply drives, underscoring the wider regional push to keep education running smoothly.

Shangri-La Diplomacy: Timor-Leste President José Ramos-Horta used the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue to argue that peace needs prevention as much as defence, warning that missiles and tanks can’t rebuild trust or stop conflict at sea. ASEAN Ties: Ramos-Horta also met Vietnam’s President Tô Lâm in Singapore, with both leaders stressing deeper cooperation after Timor-Leste’s ASEAN membership in 2025. Regional Security Push: Vietnam President Tô Lam said solutions to global crises should come from the Asia-Pacific, where US-China rivalry is increasingly shaping the region’s security and development pressures. Budget Watch: Timor-Leste’s Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão presented a proposed first amendment to the 2026 General State Budget, citing global energy-market shocks and proposing a national strategic fuel reserve worth US$174.3 million. Energy Outlook: A report says Woodside’s Greater Sunrise gas project could still end up on Australian soil, while Timor-Leste and Woodside continue work under a cooperation agreement to mature the TLNG development concept.

Shangri-La Diplomacy: Timor-Leste President José Ramos-Horta used the 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue to push back on “more hardware” thinking, arguing missiles and submarines can’t replace trust-building and prevention, and urging bolder diplomacy to reduce conflict. ASEAN Engagement: Ramos-Horta also met Vietnam’s President Tô Lâm in Singapore, with both sides stressing deeper Timor-Leste–Vietnam cooperation as Timor-Leste settles into ASEAN. Regional Peace Proposal: Ramos-Horta floated a plan for Myanmar talks led by a retired four-star Southeast Asian general, calling for all sides to meet “under a tent” with humanitarian access. Budget and Energy Security: Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão presented a proposed amendment to the 2026 General State Budget, including a planned national strategic fuel reserve to cushion Timor-Leste’s vulnerability to global energy shocks. Blue Economy and Development: Timor-Leste hosted a regional forum on youth entrepreneurship and economic cooperation, alongside efforts to advance the Blue Economy and ASEAN integration.

ASEAN Diplomacy at Shangri-La: Timor-Leste President José Ramos-Horta urged a “retired four-star general” to guide Myanmar peace talks “under a tent,” calling for humanitarian access and no pre-conditions. ASEAN-Vietnam Ties: Ramos-Horta met Vietnam’s President Tô Lâm in Singapore, with both sides stressing deeper cooperation after Timor-Leste’s ASEAN entry. Regional Security Message: Vietnam President To Lam told the Shangri-La Dialogue that solutions to global crises must come from the Asia-Pacific, warning of mounting pressure from US-China rivalry. Greater Sunrise Gas Uncertainty: Woodside said Greater Sunrise LNG plans with Timor-Leste are progressing, but timing remains unclear as the company weighs future commitments. National Budget Update: Timor-Leste’s PM Xanana Gusmão presented a proposed 2026 GSB amendment, including a US$174.3m strategic fuel reserve to cushion energy shocks. Ocean Science: A global Ocean Census reported 1,121 new marine species found in one year, highlighting the scale of undiscovered life.

Greater Sunrise gas talks: Woodside says the Greater Sunrise LNG concept with Timor-Leste could still end up on Australian soil, but declined to give a timeline as it weighs other commitments. Budget resilience: Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão has tabled the first amendment to the 2026 General State Budget, citing global energy-market shocks and proposing a US$174.3m national strategic fuel reserve. ASEAN diplomacy: President José Ramos-Horta met Vietnam’s President Tô Lâm in Singapore, with both leaders stressing deeper cooperation after Timor-Leste’s ASEAN accession. Regional security forum: Timor-Leste’s president is set to speak at Singapore’s Shangri-La Dialogue as leaders push for solutions from the Asia-Pacific amid great-power rivalry. UN peacekeeping push: UN officials marked International Day of UN Peacekeepers, warning that growing conflict makes sustained political and financial support more urgent than ever. Local development and governance: The Council of Ministers reported 30% execution of the 2026 GSB as it tackles procurement and capacity challenges. Mining update: Tivan says stream sediment sampling at its Turiscai project in Timor-Leste returned anomalous copper and gold, with work moving to prospect-scale exploration.

Human Rights: Progressive groups in Southern Mindanao say they will file a case with the Commission on Human Rights after a deleted police social media post allegedly tagged members as “Active Wanted Persons,” calling it intimidation that endangers rights workers. Budget & Energy Security: Timor-Leste’s Prime Minister submitted the first amendment to the 2026 General State Budget, citing global energy-market shocks and proposing a US$174.3 million national strategic fuel reserve to protect stability. Regional Diplomacy: President José Ramos-Horta met Vietnam’s To Lam in Singapore, with both sides stressing deeper cooperation as Timor-Leste moves further into ASEAN. Peacekeeping Focus: The UN marked International Day of UN Peacekeepers with renewed calls to “Invest in Peace,” highlighting missions including Timor-Leste. ASEAN & Youth Economy: Timor-Leste hosted a regional forum on youth entrepreneurship and economic cooperation, linking young business talent to wider regional integration. Governance Watch: An Extraordinary Council of Ministers meeting reported 30% execution of the 2026 GSB as of May 26, with procurement capacity and the new public contracts code flagged as key challenges.

National Budget Talks: Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão has submitted the first amendment proposal to the 2026 General State Budget in the National Parliament, launching debate on a supplementary budget aimed at protecting Timor-Leste from shocks tied to global energy market instability, including a proposed US$174.3 million national strategic fuel reserve. Government Oversight: An Extraordinary Council of Ministers meeting on May 27 reviewed 2026 budget execution, reporting about 30% implementation as of May 26 (around US$736 million spent out of US$2.445 billion including social security), with procurement and capacity to deliver programmes flagged as key challenges. Youth & Economic Cooperation: Timor-Leste hosted a regional forum focused on youth entrepreneurship and economic cooperation, spotlighting partnerships for jobs and growth. Peacekeeping Reminder: The UN marked Peacekeepers’ Day by stressing that demand for peacekeeping is rising amid global conflict, and called for sustained political and financial support. ASEAN & Tourism Infrastructure: Timor-Leste broke ground on a new International Convention Centre in Dili, designed to boost tourism and events capacity ahead of the 2029 ASEAN Chairmanship. Regional Diplomacy: President José Ramos-Horta addressed academics on preparing for globalization and free trade, while also visited ETO Tower and discussed World Cup broadcasting plans for Timor-Leste.