AGP Executive Report

Blue Economy Push: Timor-Leste marked National Sea Day and Ocean Week 2026 with nationwide ocean conservation events, marine education activities, and Blue Economy programming, culminating on World Ocean Day (8 June). Digital Ocean Governance: The government also launched the Timor-Leste Blue Economy Website, a new national hub for ocean and maritime information, policies, research, and sustainable development plans under the 2025–2035 action plan. Regional Climate & Biodiversity Watch: A new global report on the Coral Triangle says many major insurers still won’t rule out LNG expansion across the biodiversity-rich region that includes Timor-Leste—raising fresh pressure for a “no-go” approach to new fossil gas. ASEAN Integration: Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão wrapped up his Vietnam visit tied to ASEAN Future Forum 2026, with Vietnam backing Timor-Leste’s full participation in ASEAN cooperation mechanisms—seen as a pathway to support sustainable development. Conservation Recognition: UNESCO added 14 new biosphere reserves worldwide, including Timor-Leste’s Nino Konis Santana, expanding the protected-area network to 797 sites.

Blue Economy Push: Timor-Leste marked National Sea Day and Ocean Week 2026 with nationwide ocean conservation events, marine education and sustainable development activities, culminating on World Ocean Day (June 8). Digital Ocean Governance: On June 5, Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão launched the Timor-Leste Blue Economy Website, a central online hub for ocean and maritime policies, research and sustainable development under the 2025–2035 action plan. Regional Policy Link: Timor-Leste’s Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão met Vietnam’s leaders in Hanoi and the National Assembly chairman said Vietnam will help create conditions for signing and implementing bilateral agreements—an ASEAN integration step that also points to longer-term sustainable development cooperation. Coral Triangle Climate Risk: A global insurance watchdog says most major insurers still won’t rule out LNG coverage in the Coral Triangle (including Timor-Leste waters), despite biodiversity concerns—only one insurer (SCOR) moved to add restrictions. Biodiversity Protection Milestone: UNESCO added new biosphere reserves worldwide, including Timor-Leste’s Nino Konis Santana, expanding the global network to 797 sites across 145 countries.

Blue Economy & Ocean Conservation: Timor-Leste marked National Sea Day and Ocean Week 2026 with nationwide ocean conservation events, marine education activities, and Blue Economy promotion, starting with a Dili waterfront blue economy photo exhibition and a major Ocean Parade led by the Ministry of Tourism and Environment. Policy & Access to Ocean Data: The government also launched the Timor-Leste Blue Economy Website, a new national platform for ocean and maritime information, linked to the 2025–2035 plan to support policymaking, public access, and stakeholder cooperation. UNESCO Biodiversity Boost: UNESCO added 14 new biosphere reserves worldwide, bringing the network to 797 sites; Timor-Leste joins for the first time with Nino Konis Santana, strengthening ecosystem protection and conservation science. Regional Integration for Sustainability: Timor-Leste’s participation in the ASEAN Future Forum 2026 in Hanoi highlights its push for ASEAN unity and resilience, with Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão attending and engaging on regional cooperation. Tourism Skills for Cleaner Growth: The Tourism Ambassador Programme was launched to train hospitality workers in customer service and destination knowledge, aiming to improve visitor experiences while supporting sustainable tourism growth.

Coral Triangle LNG finance pressure: A regional campaign says major insurers and reinsurers still won’t rule out support for LNG expansion in the Coral Triangle, despite biodiversity risks for Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste; only SCOR reportedly added new restrictions. Ocean Week and Sea Day push: Timor-Leste rolled out National Ocean Week 2026 leading to World Ocean Day, with nationwide ocean conservation, marine education and Blue Economy events starting 3 June and a Dili Ocean Parade on 5 June. Blue Economy online hub: The Prime Minister launched Timor-Leste’s Blue Economy website, meant to centralize ocean and maritime information, support the 2025–2035 Blue Economy plan, and improve public access for policy and cooperation. UNESCO biodiversity boost: UNESCO added 14 new biosphere reserves worldwide, including Timor-Leste’s Nino Konis Santana, expanding the global network to 797 sites. Tourism skills for sustainability: The Ministry of Tourism launched a Tourism Ambassador Programme to train hospitality workers in customer service and destination knowledge, with more sessions planned through 2026. ASEAN integration momentum: Timor-Leste’s leaders are set to engage regional processes around the ASEAN Future Forum, as the country deepens ASEAN unity and cooperation.

Blue Economy & Ocean Week: Timor-Leste kicked off National Ocean Week 2026 with nationwide ocean conservation events, ending on World Ocean Day (8 June). The programme includes a Blue Economy photography exhibition in Dili and a National Day of the Sea Ocean Parade aimed at building ocean stewardship among schools, youth, civil society and communities. Digital Marine Governance: On 5 June, Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão launched the Timor-Leste Blue Economy Website, a central online hub for ocean and maritime policies, research and sustainable development under the 2025–2035 Blue Economy plan. Biodiversity Protection: UNESCO added 14 new biosphere reserves worldwide on World Environment Day, bringing the network to 797 sites; Timor-Leste’s Nino Konis Santana was among the new additions, strengthening ecosystem protection. Tourism Skills for Sustainability: The Ministry of Tourism launched the Timor-Leste Tourism Ambassador Programme to train frontline workers in customer service and destination knowledge, supporting more professional, heritage-focused tourism. Regional Integration: Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão is in Vietnam (8–10 June) for bilateral talks and to speak at the ASEAN Future Forum, with agreements planned in education and higher education.

UNESCO Biosphere Reserves: UNESCO added 14 new biosphere reserves worldwide, bringing the network to 797 sites in 145 countries, and for the first time includes Timor-Leste’s Nino Konis Santana—a boost for biodiversity protection and sustainable community management. Tourism Skills for Sustainability: Timor-Leste’s Ministry of Tourism launched the Tourism Ambassador Programme, a free certified training for hospitality workers to improve customer service and deepen knowledge of Timor-Leste’s culture and attractions. ASEAN Integration: Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão is in Vietnam for talks and the ASEAN Future Forum 2026, with expectations of new cooperation agreements—supporting regional resilience and people-centred development. Health & Capacity Building: A partnership between the GX Foundation and Fiji National University focuses on public health training and youth development, highlighting shared regional needs tied to environmental health and disaster preparedness. Water & Flood Readiness (Region): Cebu City stepped up canal dredging and daily drainage clearing as rainy season storms begin, underscoring how waste and clogged waterways can quickly turn into public health risks.

World Ocean Day cleanup: Moalboal’s freediving community (MFA) led a beach and coastal cleanup at Panagsama Beach, stressing that trash keeps washing into the sea through people, tourism and currents. Global climate urgency: A Cebu World Environment Day exhibition warned that the world is in a “polycrisis” — climate change piling onto hunger, inflation and conflict — with Paris Agreement progress still far below what’s needed. Biodiversity protection: UNESCO added 14 new biosphere reserves worldwide, including Timor-Leste, expanding the network to 797 sites and highlighting “living laboratories” where conservation and sustainable development work together. Tourism skills for sustainability: Timor-Leste launched a Tourism Ambassador Programme to train hospitality workers in customer service and destination knowledge, targeting better visitor experiences and stronger local capacity. Marine governance & fisheries compliance: EU-linked food safety rules are pushing capacity-building for Pacific authorities, with Timor-Leste in the wider regional push to keep access to EU seafood markets. Energy & environment planning: Finder Energy submitted environmental and field development documents for the KTJ oil project in the Timor Sea, moving through approval steps.

UNESCO Biosphere Boost: UNESCO added 14 new biosphere reserves worldwide, including Timor-Leste, expanding the protected-area network to 797 sites and highlighting “living laboratories” where biodiversity and local livelihoods can coexist. ASEAN Integration & Environment Links: Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão heads to Vietnam for talks and will speak at the ASEAN Future Forum 2026, with analysts saying Timor-Leste’s ASEAN role can help attract investment and strengthen resilience—key for climate and disaster planning. Tourism Skills for Greener Growth: Timor-Leste launched a Tourism Ambassador Programme to train hospitality workers in customer service and destination knowledge, aiming to lift visitor quality and support the sector’s wider economic role. Marine & Food Safety Pressure: EU rules on freezer-vessel temperatures are set to affect most Pacific Island-flagged vessels exporting to the EU; regional training is building compliance capacity to protect market access. Timor Sea Energy With Environmental Steps: Finder Energy reported progress on the KTJ oil fields, submitting an environmental impact statement and field development plan as approvals move forward.

Flood Risk & Resilience: Mandaue City in Cebu is pushing flood-control and river drainage works ahead of the habagat season, with officials saying completed drainage openings have cut complaints of flooding—though heavy mountain runoff and climate change still pose challenges. Tourism & Local Jobs: Indonesia reports foreign tourist arrivals rising through April 2026, with Timor-Leste among the top source markets—good news for regional travel demand. ASEAN Integration: Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão is in Vietnam for talks and to speak at the ASEAN Future Forum 2026, with agreements on education and higher education expected. Tourism Skills: Timor-Leste launched a Tourism Ambassador Programme to train frontline staff in customer service and destination knowledge, with free registration and more sessions planned. Marine & Food Safety: EU rules on freezer-vessel temperatures are set to affect most Pacific Island-flagged vessels exporting to the EU, prompting regional training for national food-safety authorities. Environment & Wildlife Compliance: A resort case in the Philippines highlights illegal keeping of protected wildlife species without permits, with animals seized and management failing to show legal documents.

ASEAN & Regional Diplomacy: Timor-Leste’s push for ASEAN unity gets a boost as Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão heads to Vietnam and is set to speak at the ASEAN Future Forum 2026, with new education and higher-education agreements planned. Tourism Skills & Service Quality: Timor-Leste’s Ministry of Tourism launched a Tourism Ambassador Programme in Dili to train frontline hospitality workers on customer service, professionalism, and local heritage—free of charge, with more sessions planned through 2026. Tourism Demand Signals: Indonesia reports foreign tourist arrivals rising through April 2026, with Timor-Leste among the top source markets—an indirect read-through for regional visitor flows. Biosecurity Focus: Indonesia is moving to position itself as a regional biosecurity hub with FAO support, aiming to strengthen surveillance, early warning, traceability, and lab capacity. Environment & Oceans (Regional): Brunei’s Ocean Week 2026 kicks off under a blue-economy theme, spotlighting marine conservation and sustainable ocean livelihoods. Energy & Environment (Timor Sea): Finder Energy submitted key documents for the Kuda Tasi and Jahal oil fields, including an environmental impact statement and field development plan, as approvals progress.

Tourism Skills Boost: Timor-Leste’s Ministry of Tourism launched a certified Timor-Leste Tourism Ambassador Programme in Dili (June 1–2), training 59 frontline workers on customer service, professionalism, and local heritage—free of charge—with more sessions planned July to September for about 300 participants. Justice & Business Reform: Timor-Leste and the European Union signed agreements to modernize the justice system and promote sustainable business, linking governance upgrades to longer-term economic sustainability. Regional Peacebuilding: President José Ramos-Horta delivered lectures in Jakarta and shared Timor-Leste’s reconciliation experience as a model for peacebuilding and ASEAN integration, stressing dialogue over confrontation. Biosecurity Push (Indonesia): Indonesia’s quarantine agency, with FAO support, is moving to strengthen biosecurity systems, lab modernization, and early warning/traceability to protect food security and safer trade. Ocean & Blue Economy (Region): Brunei launched Ocean Week 2026, spotlighting blue economy growth alongside marine conservation, pollution control, and biodiversity protection. Oil & Environment Risk (Timor Sea): Finder Energy submitted key documents for the KTJ offshore Timor Sea project, including an environmental impact statement and field development plan, as approvals move forward.

Biosecurity & trade: Indonesia’s quarantine agency Barantin says it wants to become a regional biosecurity hub with FAO support, aiming to strengthen surveillance, early warning, lab systems, and traceability to protect food security and safe trade. Ocean & marine conservation: Brunei launched Ocean Week 2026 under a “blue economy” theme, spotlighting marine conservation, sustainable ocean livelihoods, and biodiversity protection—an approach that matters for the region’s coastal resilience. Water security & climate resilience: A new report warns climate change is reshaping Asia’s water cycle, hitting rural farms first and worsening gender inequality as women and girls spend more hours collecting water. Wildlife protection crackdown: In Cebu, authorities seized multiple exotic animals from a resort for alleged illegal keeping and display without permits, with animals valued at about P3.5 million. Timor-Leste diplomacy & peacebuilding: President José Ramos-Horta’s remarks at regional forums drew a response from Timor-Leste’s foreign ministry, while he also reiterated reconciliation and dialogue as the path to stability in ASEAN. Timor Sea environment review: Finder Energy says it has submitted environmental and field development documents for the Kuda Tasi and Jahal oil fields, moving the approval process forward.

Biosecurity & food safety push: Indonesia’s quarantine agency Barantin, with FAO support, is moving to position the country as a regional biosecurity hub—aiming to modernize labs, strengthen surveillance and early warning, and improve traceability for safer trade. Ocean economy momentum: Brunei launched Ocean Week 2026 under a “blue economy” theme, spotlighting marine conservation, sustainable fisheries, eco-tourism and environmental protection as part of future ocean opportunities. Water resilience focus: A UN-backed report highlights how climate change is reshaping Asia’s water cycle—driving droughts, floods and sea-level rise—and stresses that water security is inseparable from gender equality and rural livelihoods. Timor-Leste justice & business ties: Timor-Leste and the European Union signed agreements to modernize the justice system and promote sustainable business. Marine life discovery: Ocean Census work reports finding 1,121 new marine species in one year, boosting conservation and future ocean research. Timor-Leste diplomacy ripple: Ramos-Horta’s remarks at regional security meetings drew a response from Myanmar’s foreign ministry, which said the comments undermined ASEAN unity and bilateral relations.

Blue Economy & Ocean Conservation: Brunei’s Ocean Week 2026 kicked off at Universiti Brunei Darussalam, spotlighting a “blue economy” built on marine conservation, sustainable fisheries, eco-tourism, and community livelihoods. Water Security & Climate Resilience: A new regional focus highlights how climate-driven shifts in rainfall and rising seas are worsening water shortages across Asia, with rural communities and women and girls hit hardest as daily water collection steals time and increases health risks. Timor-Leste–ASEAN Diplomacy: President José Ramos-Horta used an ERIA lecture series in Jakarta to stress reconciliation and dialogue as tools for stability, while also positioning Timor-Leste to contribute to ASEAN integration. Maritime Law & Sovereignty: Cambodia formally moved to trigger UNCLOS compulsory conciliation over overlapping maritime claims with Thailand, with parliament backing the step—an issue that echoes wider regional pressure over sea rights and resources. Offshore Development Watch (Timor Sea): Finder Energy reported progress on its Kuda Tasi and Jahal oil fields, submitting an environmental impact statement and field development plan as approvals continue. Wildlife Crime Crackdown: Philippine authorities seized multiple exotic animals from a resort for operating without required permits, with protected species valued at about P3.5 million.

Timor-Leste–Vietnam diplomacy: President José Ramos-Horta met Vietnam’s President Tô Lâm in Singapore, with both sides stressing deeper cooperation after Timor-Leste officially joined ASEAN in October 2025—covering development experience, institution building, human resources, and regional connectivity. Offshore environment watch: Finder Energy submitted its environmental impact statement and field development plan for the Kuda Tasi and Jahal oil fields in the Timor Sea, with approvals now moving through the regulatory process. Climate resilience and water security: A new report highlights how rising temperatures and shifting rainfall are worsening water insecurity across Asia, hitting rural communities and deepening gender inequality as women and girls spend more time collecting scarce or unsafe water. Ocean conservation push: Ocean Week Brunei 2026 is set to spotlight a “blue economy” agenda, linking marine ecosystem protection with fisheries, tourism, pollution control, and climate resilience. Regional security context: At the Shangri-La Dialogue, leaders—including Timor-Leste’s Ramos-Horta—argued for renewed diplomacy and stronger international cooperation as Asia-Pacific tensions grow.

Climate Resilience & Water Security: A new report warns that rising temperatures and shifting rainfall across Asia are breaking water cycles, driving droughts, floods, and sea-level rise that threaten drinking water and crops—hurting rural communities first and deepening gender inequality as women and girls spend hours collecting water. Sustainable Tourism Data: The Pacific Tourism Organisation and Niue Tourism Office released key findings from the 2024 International Visitor Survey under the Pacific Tourism Data Initiative, highlighting visitor sources and the need for resilient, sustainable tourism planning across Pacific states including Timor-Leste. Ocean & Blue Economy: Brunei’s Ocean Week 2026 kicks off with a focus on a “blue economy for a sustainable future,” linking healthy marine ecosystems to fisheries, coastal livelihoods, climate resilience, and marine pollution and biodiversity pressures. Marine Life Discovery: The Ocean Census project reports finding 1,121 marine species in one year, boosting momentum for ocean conservation and biodiversity knowledge. Timor-Leste in Regional Diplomacy: José Ramos-Horta delivered remarks at the Shangri-La Dialogue and met Vietnam’s President Tô Lâm in Singapore, underscoring ASEAN ties and regional cooperation as Timor-Leste deepens its integration. Offshore Environment Review: Finder Energy submitted an environmental impact statement and field development plan for the KTJ project in the Timor Sea, advancing approvals for oil-field development.