AGP Executive Report

Public Finance & Planning: Timor-Leste launched its National Medium-Term Plan 2027–2030 and a progress report on the 2011–2024 Strategic Development Plan, setting ten national priorities across economic diversification, infrastructure, social/human capital, and institutions—meant to guide budgets and monitoring. Water & Infrastructure Delivery: The government inaugurated a new Laleia water supply system in Manatuto (about 2,700 people/450 households) with groundwater extraction, transmission and distribution networks, and reservoirs—an investment of US$764,900. Education Build-Out Pilot: Ministries visited Tasitolu’s 12 de Outubro Basic School to monitor nine new classrooms and four toilets using modular “Block Solutions” technology, budgeted at US$27,000 with a two-month build timeline. Energy & Offshore Development: Finder Energy cleared a key environmental hurdle for its KTJ offshore oilfields project, moving the project closer to final investment decisions. Climate Diplomacy & Regional Finance: A Reuters report ahead of Pacific pre-COP talks said attendance by non-Pacific leaders is thin, with East Timor among the few confirmed—highlighting how climate finance and ocean impacts are driving regional economic priorities. ASEAN Resilience Work: ERIA and ISPAE convened a workshop on innovative disaster finance for climate-resilient growth, with Timor-Leste participating as a full ASEAN member.

Education & Infrastructure Delivery: Timor-Leste is testing faster, cheaper classroom building with modular “Block Solutions” at Dili’s 12 de Outubro EBF—nine new classrooms and four toilets under a US$27,000 pilot expected to finish in about two months. Water Security: In Laleia, Manatuto, a new groundwater-based water supply system has been inaugurated for around 2,700 people across 450 households, with pipelines, distribution zones and reservoirs plus connections for schools and health services. National Planning & Budgeting: The government launched the 2027–2030 National Medium-Term Plan and the PED 2011–2024 progress report, setting ten national priorities across economic diversification, infrastructure, social/human capital, and institutions. Climate Diplomacy & Regional Finance: World powers are meeting in Fiji ahead of COP31 to push climate finance and ocean-focused action, while a Reuters report notes only a limited set of non-Pacific leaders—including East Timor—are confirmed for the Tuvalu/Fiji pre-COP talks. ASEAN Integration & Risk Financing: ERIA and Vietnam’s ISPAE convened a workshop on innovative disaster finance for climate-resilient growth, with Timor-Leste participating as a full ASEAN member. Child Rights Oversight: The UN Child Rights Committee issued findings on Timor-Leste’s child-rights implementation, alongside other countries, with recommendations aimed at strengthening protections and remedies. Energy/Offshore Business Signals: Fugro’s remote AUV survey model is being used in the region, with Timor-Leste’s offshore campaign for Greater Sunrise and Bayu-Undan moving into its next phase.

Pacific Climate Diplomacy: World powers are sending delegates to Fiji for Oct 5–8 talks to set the agenda for COP31 in Turkey, with Pacific states pushing for a 1.5°C warming limit, faster climate finance, and stronger focus on ocean impacts as sea levels rise and adaptation funding remains far short of needs. Timor-Leste Economic Planning: The government launched the 2027–2030 National Medium-Term Plan and a progress report on the 2011–2024 Strategic Development Plan, outlining ten national priorities across economic diversification, infrastructure, social development, and institutions. Education & Water Infrastructure: A pilot in Tasitolu will build nine new classrooms and four toilets using modular block technology, while Laleia (Manatuto) inaugurated a new water supply system serving about 2,700 people across 450 households. Sovereign Fund Diplomacy: Prime Minister Matthew Wale met President José Ramos-Horta to discuss strengthening ties with Solomon Islands, highlighting Timor-Leste’s sovereign fund as a model for stability and disciplined investment. Energy & Offshore Work: Fugro’s remote AUV survey campaign supports deepwater energy development in Timor-Leste’s offshore phase, signaling a more remote-operations approach for ultra-deepwater surveying. Regional Finance for Resilience: ERIA and ISPAE convened an ASEAN workshop on innovative disaster finance for climate-resilient growth, with Timor-Leste participating as a full ASEAN member. Climate Risk Context: A Reuters report notes limited attendance by non-Pacific leaders at the pre-COP events in Tuvalu and Fiji, underscoring how Pacific priorities still struggle for global attention.

Public Finance & Planning: Timor-Leste launched its 2027–2030 National Medium-Term Plan (PMP) and the PED 2011–2024 progress report, setting ten national priorities across economic diversification, infrastructure, social/human capital, and institutions, with budgets to follow the plan. Water & Utilities: In Laleia (Manatuto), a new water supply system was inaugurated to serve about 2,700 people in 450 households, with groundwater extraction, transmission and distribution networks, and connections for schools, health services, police and community facilities. Education Infrastructure Pilot: Government visited Tasitolu’s 12 de Outubro school to monitor nine new classrooms and four toilets built with modular “Block Solutions” technology, aiming to cut time and transport costs versus conventional construction. Regional Climate Diplomacy: Timor-Leste is among the confirmed non-Pacific leaders attending pre-COP31 talks in Fiji and Tuvalu, as Pacific states push for 1.5°C, better climate finance, and urgent action on rising seas and adaptation gaps. ASEAN Development Finance: ERIA and ISPAE convened a workshop on innovative disaster finance for climate-resilient growth, with Timor-Leste participating as a full ASEAN member.

Infrastructure & Services: The government monitored a pilot classroom build in Tasitolu using modular “Block Solutions” tech, aiming to cut time and cost while easing Dili’s classroom shortage. Water Security: Public Works inaugurated a new Laleia water supply system in Manatuto, delivering water to about 2,700 people across 450 households plus key institutions, with a US$764,900 investment. Economic Planning: PM Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão launched the 2027–2030 National Medium-Term Plan and the PED 2011–2024 progress report, setting 10 national priorities across economic diversification, infrastructure, social development and institutions. Energy & Oil Regulation: ANP approved the EIS for Finder Energy’s KTJ offshore oilfields, clearing a key step toward FID. Regional Climate Diplomacy: East Timor is among the confirmed non-Pacific leaders for pre-COP31 talks in Fiji and Tuvalu, as Pacific states push for 1.5°C, better climate finance, and urgent ocean-focused action. ASEAN Finance & Resilience: ERIA and ISPAE convened a regional workshop on innovative disaster finance for climate-resilient growth, with Timor-Leste participating as a full ASEAN member. Offshore Survey Work: Fugro won additional Timor-Leste survey awards supporting Greater Sunrise TLNG and the Bayu-Undan Pipeline Highway, with fieldwork planned for 2027.

Oil & Gas Regulation: Timor-Leste’s Autoridade Nacional do Petróleo (ANP) has approved the Environmental Impact Statement for Finder Energy’s Kuda Tasi and Jahal (KTJ) offshore oilfields, a key step as the project moves toward final investment decision. Energy & Infrastructure: Fugro has won additional Timor-Leste Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources contracts for heavy geotechnical and metocean surveys supporting the Greater Sunrise gas export pipeline and the Bayu-Undan pipeline highway, with fieldwork planned to start in Q1 2027. Mining & Investment: Estrella Resources says new assays strengthen the case for a porphyry copper-gold system at its Laleno Dome project, including a standout rock-chip result showing high copper plus gold. Sovereign Wealth & Diplomacy: Prime Minister Matthew Wale met President José Ramos-Horta to discuss deepening ties with Solomon Islands, highlighting Timor-Leste’s sovereign fund model as a stabiliser for economic performance. ASEAN Climate Focus: ASEAN should prioritise a regional power grid, climate finance and resilience, Singapore’s Grace Fu said ahead of its 2027 chairmanship. Payments & Trade Links: Vietnam’s first resident ambassador to Timor-Leste presented credentials, signalling fresh momentum for bilateral cooperation. Business & Culture: Viking Sunset Studios is bringing two films—Bandit and Semusim—to the Dili International Film Festival, boosting cultural and creative exchange.

Sovereign Wealth & Diplomacy: Prime Minister Matthew Cooper Wale met President José Ramos-Horta at the UNGA margins to discuss deepening ties with Solomon Islands, with Ramos-Horta highlighting Timor-Leste’s sovereign fund as a stabiliser that funds priorities through the national budget. Oil & Gas Development: Timor-Leste’s Autoridade Nacional do Petróleo approved Finder Energy’s Environmental Impact Statement for the Kuda Tasi and Jahal (KTJ) offshore oilfields, clearing a key regulatory step as the project heads toward final investment decision. Pipeline Survey Contracts: Fugro won additional Timor-Leste Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources awards for heavy geotechnical and metocean surveys supporting Greater Sunrise TLNG and the Bayu-Undan pipeline route, with fieldwork planned for early 2027. ASEAN Energy & Climate Focus: Singapore’s Grace Fu urged ASEAN to prioritise a regional power grid, climate finance and resilience during its 2027 chairmanship, as regional concerns also include unemployment and economic recession. Payments Cooperation: Indonesia and Timor-Leste central banks strengthened payment cooperation, reflecting wider moves toward cross-border digital payments. Regional Business & Culture: Viking Sunset Studios brought Bali films Bandit and Semusim to the Dili International Film Festival, spotlighting cross-border creative links.

Oil & Gas Investment Push: Timor-Leste’s Autoridade Nacional do Petróleo approved Finder Energy’s Environmental Impact Statement for the Kuda Tasi and Jahal (KTJ) offshore oilfields, clearing a key step toward final investment decision and setting out environmental management for development through decommissioning. Energy Project Pipeline Work: Fugro won additional Timor-Leste survey contracts for the Greater Sunrise TLNG and Bayu-Undan Pipeline Highway, including heavy geotechnical and metocean studies planned to start in early 2027, with remote operations support from Kuala Lumpur. Government & Procurement: The Council of Ministers endorsed Timor-Leste’s Universal Periodic Review State Report for UN submission and authorised budget spending to launch procurement for the Tasi Mane Project on the south coast. Regional Business Links: Vietnam’s first resident ambassador to Timor-Leste presented credentials, signaling deeper cooperation with ASEAN integration plans. Tech & Language Access: A new discussion highlights how AI can widen linguistic inequality, while also pointing to community-built tools—relevant for Tetun and other local languages in Timor-Leste. Tourism & Trade Context: Broader regional coverage points to growing focus on cross-border digital payments and trade deals that could shape future business conditions for Timor-Leste.

Oil & Gas Investment: Timor-Leste’s petroleum authority has approved the Environmental Impact Statement for Finder Energy’s Kuda Tasi and Jahal (KTJ) offshore oilfields, clearing a key regulatory step as the project moves toward final investment decision, with the EIS covering development through decommissioning. Offshore Survey Push: Fugro won additional geotechnical and metocean survey contracts supporting Greater Sunrise TLNG and the Bayu-Undan pipeline route, with fieldwork planned to start in early 2027 and remote operations based in Kuala Lumpur. Payments & Trade Facilitation: Bank Indonesia and Timor-Leste’s central bank signed an MoU to explore cross-border QRIS payments, aiming to deepen payment cooperation and improve connectivity for travelers and businesses. Diplomacy & Regional Business Links: Vietnam appointed its first resident ambassador to Timor-Leste, signaling deeper bilateral cooperation and support for Timor-Leste’s ASEAN integration. Energy & Industry Context: A separate report highlights how deepwater survey work is increasingly being run from shore, pointing to a remote-operations model relevant to Timor-Leste’s offshore projects.

Oil & Gas Regulation: Timor-Leste’s Autoridade Nacional do Petróleo (ANP) approved Finder Energy’s Environmental Impact Statement for the Kuda Tasi and Jahal (KTJ) offshore oilfields, clearing a key step toward final investment decision and setting out environmental management from build to decommission. Pipeline Surveys: Fugro won additional Timor-Leste Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources contracts for heavy geotechnical and metocean seabed studies supporting the Greater Sunrise TLNG pipeline route and the Bayu-Undan Pipeline Highway, with fieldwork planned for 2027. Mining Update: Estrella Resources says new assays at its Laleno Dome project in Timor-Leste confirm copper mineralisation in porphyritic rocks and report strong gold results, strengthening the case for a copper-gold porphyry system. Diplomacy & Business Links: Vietnam’s first resident ambassador to Timor-Leste presented credentials to President José Ramos-Horta, pledging deeper cooperation and support for Timor-Leste’s ASEAN integration. Regional Payments: Bank Indonesia signed a MoU with Timor-Leste’s central bank to explore cross-border QRIS payments, aiming to improve payment connectivity and digital finance cooperation. Energy Demand Management (Regional): NGCP urged consumers in the Visayas to shift high-power activities to daytime to ease grid pressure, while officials said power supply could improve by mid-November but not without risk.

Offshore Energy Watch: Timor-Leste’s petroleum authority (ANP) has approved the Environmental Impact Statement for Finder Energy’s Kuda Tasi and Jahal (KTJ) offshore oilfields, a key step toward final investment decision as the project moves from regulatory groundwork to commercial and financing work. Pipeline Survey Push: Fugro also won additional Timor-Leste contracts for heavy geotechnical and metocean seabed surveys supporting the Greater Sunrise gas export pipeline and the Bayu-Undan pipeline highway, with fieldwork planned to start in early 2027. Payments & Connectivity: Bank Indonesia and Banco Central de Timor-Leste (BCTL) signed an MoU to deepen payment and settlement cooperation, including exploring cross-border QRIS use—aimed at making transactions more convenient and secure for people and businesses. Digital Inclusion Angle: A new analysis warns AI can widen inequality by leaving minority languages out, but highlights how communities are using AI-assisted tools to document and preserve local languages—relevant for Timor-Leste’s Tetun and broader language access. Regional Business Context: A UNGA-linked “Changemakers” spotlight also recognized UAE envoy Badr Jafar for bridging business and philanthropy, underscoring how partnerships are being framed as a development lever.

Oil & Gas Investment: Finder Energy says Timor-Leste’s Autoridade Nacional do Petróleo has approved the Environmental Impact Statement for its Kuda Tasi and Jahal (KTJ) project, clearing a major regulatory step as the venture moves toward final investment decision. Payments & Fintech: Bank Indonesia and Banco Central de Timor-Leste signed an MoU to deepen payment and settlement cooperation, with potential cross-border QRIS connectivity on the table. Energy Infrastructure Surveys: Fugro won additional Timor-Leste contracts for geotechnical and metocean work supporting Greater Sunrise pipeline routes and the Bayu-Undan Pipeline Highway, with field work planned to start in early 2027. Regional Business & Trade: Timor-Leste’s admission to ASEAN is highlighted in discussions on the ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement and broader “economic sovereignty” themes. Diplomacy with Economic Angle: President José Ramos-Horta welcomed Morocco’s Western Sahara autonomy proposal at the UN, while Timor-Leste also renewed support for India’s UN Security Council bid—both signals that can shape future partnerships. Media & Soft Power: A report says Australia’s public broadcasters are partnering with Indo-Pacific outlets including Timor-Leste as part of wider influence efforts.

Central Visayas Wages: Labor groups in Cebu say the ₱42 minimum wage hike is “not enough” as prices keep rising, urging further sector talks and legislative action. UN Recognition: Timor-Leste President José Ramos-Horta was among honorees at the UN General Assembly-linked 2026 Changemakers Awards, while UAE’s Badr Jafar received a business-philanthropy leadership award. Cross-Border Payments: Bank Indonesia and Banco Central de Timor-Leste signed an MoU to explore payment and settlement cooperation, including potential cross-border QRIS connectivity. Regional Digital Finance Momentum: Indonesia reported strong inbound cross-border QR transactions driven by QRIS Antarnegara, highlighting growing tourist and SME spending via interoperable payments. Energy Infrastructure Work: Fugro won new Timor-Leste contracts for heavy geotechnical and metocean surveys supporting the Greater Sunrise TLNG pipeline and Bayu-Undan Pipeline Highway, with fieldwork planned for early 2027. Diplomacy & Trade Links: Kazakhstan and Timor-Leste established diplomatic relations, with talks covering trade, education, tourism, agriculture, and cooperation through multilateral forums. Tourism & Business Ecosystem: Timor-Leste’s Dili was listed by Intrepid as a “Not Hot” destination for 2027, while regional visa and travel facilitation updates continue to shape mobility for business travelers.

Cross-Border Payments: Bank Indonesia is pushing QRIS interoperability further, signing MoUs to explore cross-border QR payments with Banco Central de Timor-Leste (BCTL) and also with Hong Kong’s HKMA, aiming for more convenient, secure transactions that can boost tourism and trade. Tourism Money Flows: Indonesia reported strong inbound cross-border QRIS activity—17.8 million transactions worth about US$345.7m through August 2026—showing how easier payments can lift visitor spending. Energy & Infrastructure: Offshore services firm Fugro won new Timor-Leste contracts for geotechnical and metocean surveys supporting the Greater Sunrise TLNG and Bayu-Undan Pipeline Highway routes, with fieldwork planned to start in Q1 2027. Labour Mobility: Australia confirmed Timor-Leste is eligible for the PALM work placement scheme, opening legal pathways for Timorese workers to fill roles in Australian industries. Diplomacy & Trade Links: Timor-Leste’s growing regional engagement continues, including Kazakhstan formalizing diplomatic relations and discussing cooperation across trade, tourism, and agriculture.

Central Banking & Payments: Bank Indonesia and Banco Central de Timor-Leste signed an MoU to deepen payment and settlement cooperation, including exploring cross-border QRIS links between the two countries. Cross-Border QR Expansion: BI also signed a separate MoU with Hong Kong’s monetary authority, while Indonesia reported a surge in inbound cross-border QR transactions (17.8 million, Rp6.2tn) driven by QRIS adoption across regional visitor markets. Energy Infrastructure Surveys: Fugro won new Timor-Leste contracts for heavy geotechnical and metocean surveys supporting the Greater Sunrise TLNG pipeline and the Bayu-Undan Pipeline Highway, with field work planned to start in early 2027. Diplomacy & Trade Links: Timor-Leste’s President José Ramos-Horta renewed support for India’s UN Security Council bid, and Timor-Leste also continued pushing regional engagement through ASEAN-related trade platforms. Labour Mobility: Australia confirmed Timor-Leste as eligible for its PALM work placement scheme, reinforcing legal pathways for workers into Australian industries. Regional Policy Context: UNGA coverage highlighted how middle powers and ASEAN are trying to keep dialogue and multilateral action alive when major powers clash.

Central Bank Payments: Bank Indonesia and Banco Central de Timor-Leste (BCTL) signed an MoU to deepen payment innovation and explore cross-border QRIS connectivity, aiming for more convenient, efficient, inclusive and secure transactions. Cross-Border QR Push: Indonesia reported a surge in inbound cross-border digital payments—17.8 million transactions worth about $345.7m through August 2026—driven by QRIS Antarnegara links with partner countries, including a new payment footprint with Timor-Leste. Energy Infrastructure Contracts: Fugro won additional Timor-Leste offshore survey work for the Greater Sunrise TLNG and Bayu-Undan Pipeline Highway, including heavy geotechnical and metocean surveys starting in Q1 2027 after earlier geophysical work. Trade & Diplomacy: Timor-Leste’s President José Ramos-Horta renewed support for India’s UN Security Council bid, while Kazakhstan and Timor-Leste moved ahead on diplomatic relations and sector cooperation. Business & Skills: Australia’s PALM scheme confirmed Timor-Leste as an eligible source for legal work placements, and Timor-Leste also encouraged women to scale up locally based enterprises to strengthen domestic production. Heritage Protection: Timor-Leste designated Tutuala’s cultural landscape and Portuguese-origin architecture in Dili and Liquiçá as National Cultural Heritage.