AGP Executive Report

WHO Regional Committee in Dili: Timor-Leste hosted the 79th WHO South-East Asia Regional Committee session, with Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão urging health equity so “no person is denied” a healthy life, and member states stressing solidarity and stronger health systems. Public health wins: WHO also recognised Nepal’s sustained elimination of maternal and neonatal tetanus during the same Dili meeting, while Timor-Leste’s own trachoma elimination was highlighted through a public health achievement award. Cross-border cooperation: Indonesia and Timor-Leste agreed to deepen border research and Portuguese-language education in East Nusa Tenggara, including joint work on watershed issues and possible new border crossings. Peace education push: Timor-Leste is accelerating the institutionalisation of peace education across its education system after 25 months of cooperation with HWPL, expanding from higher education to wider public education. Regional health leadership: Sri Lanka’s health minister Nalinda Jayatissa led the regional committee chair delegation, warning that climate change, dengue, ageing, and workforce shortages demand stronger cooperation.

Peace Education Push: Timor-Leste is accelerating the rollout of peace education nationwide, expanding a partnership that began with the 525 Peace Walk in Dili in May 2023 and is now moving from higher education into primary, secondary and wider public learning. Regional Health Spotlight: The 79th WHO Regional Committee for South-East Asia opened in Dili, with Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão urging health equity so no one is denied a healthy life due to where they live or what they can afford. Diplomacy & Cooperation: Northern Territory Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro is set to visit Timor-Leste for talks under the 2023-27 Strategic Partnership Agreement, focusing on workforce development, skills, training and stronger jurisdiction links. Maritime Science Diplomacy: UP Marine Science Institute and maritime law experts gathered to discuss science diplomacy for shared environmental challenges in the Sulu-Sulawesi-Timor region. Energy Deal: Timor GAP is increasing its stake in the Greater Sunrise project by buying Osaka Gas’ 10% interest, aiming to fast-track steps toward the Timor LNG concept.

WHO Regional Committee in Dili: The 79th WHO South-East Asia Regional Committee session is underway in Timor-Leste, with health ministers and senior officials meeting to set regional priorities on climate-linked health risks, dengue, ageing populations, chronic disease burdens, workforce shortages, and the impact of digital platforms on children. Rubella milestone: Thailand has been verified as having eliminated rubella as a public health problem, becoming the seventh country in the WHO South-East Asia Region to reach the goal, joining Timor-Leste among those that have eliminated both measles and rubella. Greater Sunrise push: Timor-Leste’s state oil firm Timor GAP is buying Osaka Gas’ 10% stake in the Greater Sunrise joint venture, raising its ownership to 66.56% and aiming to speed up decisions for the Timor LNG development concept. Maritime cooperation focus: A UP Marine Science Institute roundtable in the Philippines brought together maritime law and science diplomacy experts to explore new pathways for marine scientific cooperation in the Sulu-Sulawesi-Timor region. Diplomatic appointments: New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters announced five postings, including Stephen Wong as Ambassador to Timor-Leste.

Diplomacy & Health: East Timor is set to host the 79th WHO Regional Committee for South-East Asia in Dili from Sept. 7–10, with Sri Lanka’s Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa leading a delegation and taking over as committee chair until a successor is elected. Energy & Regional Economy: Timor-Leste’s state oil firm Timor GAP has signed a binding deal to buy Osaka Gas’ 10% stake in the Greater Sunrise project, lifting Timor GAP’s ownership to 66.56% and aiming to speed up decisions on the Timor LNG concept. Climate Justice: The LDC Group adopted a declaration in Dili calling for more predictable, grant-based support for climate-hit countries, highlighting the urgent need for capacity and technical help. Migration & Safety Concerns: Reports say 33 Punjab youths (plus one from Rajasthan) have been stranded in Timor-Leste for months after being promised jobs in Australia, with families alleging agents took large sums and that passports were seized. Regional Security: Indonesia deployed Vampire MLRS rockets during Super Garuda Shield 2026, part of a wider 21-country exercise running through Sept. 11.

WHO in Dili: Sri Lanka Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa is heading to Timor-Leste for the 79th WHO Regional Committee for South-East Asia, running Sept. 7–10, with WHO chief Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expected to attend. Greater Sunrise push: Timor-Leste’s Timor GAP has signed a binding deal to buy Osaka Gas’ 10% stake in the Greater Sunrise gas project, lifting Timor GAP’s ownership to 66.56% and aiming to speed up decisions on the Timor LNG concept. Climate finance at LDC talks: LDC ministers meeting in Dili adopted a declaration calling for more predictable, grant-based support for climate-hit countries, with Nepal’s flood losses highlighted. People-to-people diplomacy: East Timor PM Xanana Gusmao met former Indonesian President Joko Widodo in Solo, saying Jokowi’s vision for jobs and development continues beyond borders. Stranded youths SOS: Reports say 33–34 youths from Punjab were allegedly sent to Timor-Leste on promises of Australian jobs, and families are urging help to bring them home.

Greater Sunrise LNG: Timor-Leste’s state oil firm Timor GAP says it has signed a binding deal to buy Osaka Gas’ 10% stake in the Greater Sunrise project, lifting Timor GAP’s share to 66.56% and keeping Woodside at 33.44%—a move aimed at speeding up decisions on the Timor LNG concept. Bilateral ties: Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão met former Indonesian President Joko Widodo in Solo, saying Jokowi’s vision for cooperation still extends beyond Indonesia to East Timor, including jobs and economic development. Regional security drills: Indonesia’s Super Garuda Shield 2026 continues with live-fire rocket and night-flight training, plus parachuting drills involving the US, Japan, India and France—showing deepening defence cooperation across the region. People on the move: Reports say dozens of Punjab youths were promised jobs in Australia but ended up stranded in Timor-Leste, with families urging Indian authorities to secure their return. Climate support push: LDC ministers meeting in Dili urged more grant-based, predictable support to tackle climate crises, highlighting impacts on vulnerable communities.

Energy Deal: Timor-Leste’s state oil firm Timor GAP has signed a binding agreement to buy Osaka Gas’ 10% stake in the Greater Sunrise gas project, lifting Timor GAP’s share to 66.56% and leaving Woodside with 33.44%, a move aimed at speeding up decisions on the Timor LNG concept. Climate Diplomacy: The LDC Group adopted a declaration in Dili calling for more predictable, grant-based support for climate-vulnerable countries, with Timor-Leste hosting the ministerial-level meeting that also highlighted disaster impacts and the need for deeper global emissions cuts. Church & National Memory: The mortal remains of three Church leaders who served Timor-Leste through war and independence efforts returned to Dili with full military honours, ahead of a September 10 commemoration at the Metropolitan Cathedral. Regional Talks: Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão met former Indonesian President Joko Widodo in Solo, saying Jokowi’s vision for “no one left behind” continues to shape opportunities and cooperation between Indonesia and Timor-Leste. People in Need: Reports say dozens of Punjab youths were stranded in Timor-Leste after being promised jobs in Australia, with families urging Indian officials to secure their return.

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.