AGP Executive Report

Timor-Leste’s ASEAN Transition: A year after joining the bloc, Dili is seeing new buildings, cafes and roads, with a major conference centre planned ahead of its 2029 ASEAN chairmanship. But poverty and malnutrition remain serious challenges. Regional Links: Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão’s visit to Thailand produced plans to speed up an air services agreement for possible Bangkok–Dili flights, begin rice-trade talks and deepen cooperation on investment and online scams. Food and Fisheries: Timor-Leste and Vietnam are exploring cooperation in rice, coffee and fisheries, including technology transfer and training, as Dili seeks to strengthen local production and food security. Digital Identity: ASEAN is working toward cross-border digital credentials; Timor-Leste has a national system, but its capabilities remain limited.

Thailand ties: Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão’s first official visit to Thailand in 13 years brought pledges to speed up talks on direct Bangkok–Dili flights, open rice-trade negotiations and deepen cooperation on food security and online scams. Regional cooperation: Timor-Leste and Vietnam are exploring joint work in rice, coffee and fisheries, including technology transfer and training to strengthen local production. Trade and energy: Timor-Leste has begun exporting Laga salt to New Zealand, while a second LNG project has been proposed. Crime: Authorities detained 16 suspects in Timor-Leste over an alleged Japanese police impersonation scam operation. Climate: President José Ramos-Horta has urged Pacific leaders to turn climate commitments into action ahead of COP31.

Thailand ties: Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao’s visit to Bangkok produced plans to negotiate a rice-trade deal, advance direct flights and strengthen cooperation against online scams. Thailand also pledged support for Timor-Leste’s participation in ASEAN. Food and fisheries: Timor-Leste and Vietnam are exploring cooperation in rice, coffee and fisheries, including technology transfer and training, to boost local production and food security. New export market: Timor-Leste has begun exporting Laga salt to New Zealand, opening a new overseas market for the product. Climate diplomacy: President José Ramos-Horta urged leaders to turn Pacific climate promises into action ahead of COP31. Crime: Police detained 16 suspects in Timor-Leste over an alleged scam operation impersonating Japanese police.

Thailand Ties: During Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão’s visit on October 9, Thailand and Timor-Leste agreed to begin talks on a rice trade deal, push for direct flights and strengthen cooperation against online scams. Agriculture and Fisheries: Timor-Leste and Vietnam are exploring collaboration on rice, coffee and fisheries, including training and technology to boost local production and food security. Public Safety: Authorities in Timor-Leste detained 16 suspects in a scam operation involving people impersonating Japanese police. Climate Action: President José Ramos-Horta urged COP31 leaders to turn climate pledges into accessible funding and practical support for vulnerable Pacific nations.

Thailand Ties: Timor-Leste and Thailand agreed to start talks on a rice-trade deal, advance direct flights and strengthen cooperation against online scams. A new bilateral consultation mechanism will support broader cooperation, with Thailand backing Timor-Leste’s participation in ASEAN. Climate Finance: President José Ramos-Horta urged COP31 to turn climate pledges into accessible funding and practical support for vulnerable Pacific states, warning that those least responsible for climate change face the heaviest toll. Trade and Investment: Timor-Leste has begun exporting Laga salt to New Zealand, while a second LNG project has been proposed. Security: Authorities detained 16 suspects in Timor-Leste over an alleged Japanese police impersonation scam operation.

Thailand Ties: Timor-Leste and Thailand agreed to begin talks on a rice-trade deal, pursue direct flights and deepen cooperation against online scams. Their foreign ministries also established a consultation mechanism, with its first meeting due in Timor-Leste. Climate Finance: President José Ramos-Horta urged COP31 leaders to turn climate promises into funding for vulnerable nations, calling for faster access to finance and more support for adaptation. Regional Links: Foreign Minister Bendito Freitas said Dili is open to discussing air links with Russia, though direct flights would be technically difficult. Timor-Leste and Indonesia are also exploring cooperation in tourism, agriculture, livestock and trade. Green Transition: Timor-Leste remains one of only two ASEAN countries without a national net-zero pledge, according to advocates at a regional conference. Justice: Amnesty International lists Timor-Leste among ASEAN’s three countries that have abolished the death penalty in law.

Thailand ties: Timor-Leste and Thailand agreed to deepen cooperation in five areas, signing a memorandum for regular consultations and seeking to speed up direct flights between Bangkok and Dili. Russia links: Foreign Minister Bendito Freitas said Dili is open to discussing air connections with Russia, though direct flights would be technically difficult; his October visit was the first by a Timor-Leste foreign minister. Climate action: President José Ramos-Horta urged COP31 to turn promises into climate funding that vulnerable Pacific communities can access, calling for more support for adaptation and least-developed countries. Regional economy: Timor-Leste and Indonesia are exploring closer cooperation in tourism, agriculture, livestock and trade, building on existing travel links with Bali. Trade and security: Timor-Leste has begun exporting Laga salt to New Zealand, while police detained 16 suspects in an alleged Japanese police impersonation scam operation.

Climate Diplomacy: President José Ramos-Horta urged COP31 to turn climate pledges into funding and action, warning that Pacific nations face severe risks and struggle to access finance. Regional Ties: Timor-Leste and the Philippines agreed to strengthen higher-education cooperation, while Indonesia and Timor-Leste explored business links in tourism, agriculture, livestock and trade. Trade: Timor-Leste has begun exporting Laga salt to New Zealand. Public Safety: Police detained 16 suspects in a scheme impersonating Japanese officers. Development: The government launched its 2027–2030 national plan and opened a water system in Laleia serving about 2,700 people. Energy: A second LNG project has been proposed for Timor-Leste.

Climate Diplomacy: President José Ramos-Horta urged COP31 to turn promises into climate finance and practical support for vulnerable island nations, warning that funding remains too slow and hard to access. Foreign Affairs: Foreign Minister Bendito Freitas met Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Moscow; Lavrov’s comments on NATO drew attention, but no specific outcomes from the talks were reported. Trade: Timor-Leste has begun exporting Laga salt to New Zealand, with a first shipment of 300 tonnes marking a step toward diversifying exports and supporting local production. Education: A new agreement with the Philippines aims to expand scholarships, student and faculty exchanges, research and cooperation between universities. Public Safety: Authorities detained 16 people in Dili over an alleged phone scam targeting people in Japan, seizing a fake police uniform and materials used to stage calls.

Climate Action: President José Ramos-Horta urged COP31 to turn promises into funding and practical support for Pacific nations, warning that climate finance remains too slow and hard to access. Diplomacy: Foreign Minister Bendito Freitas met Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Moscow, with both sides discussing closer ties. Trade: Timor-Leste has begun exporting Laga salt to New Zealand, with an initial 300-tonne shipment; officials are also exploring stronger trade, tourism and agricultural links with Indonesia’s Bali province. Public Safety: Authorities detained 16 people in Dili in a raid on an alleged phone-scam operation targeting people in Japan.

ASEAN Sports: The ASEAN Club Championship Shopee Cup 2026/27 kicks off again, with 14 teams in two groups and Buriram United looking like the team to beat after past wins and Indonesia’s return. Timor-Leste & Security: Timor-Leste investigators detained 16 people in Dili over a telecom scam allegedly impersonating Japanese police, with seized fake uniforms and Japanese-language call scripts. Timor-Leste & Diplomacy: Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met Timor-Leste’s Bendito Freitas in Moscow, stressing vigilance over NATO statements and highlighting ongoing bilateral cooperation. Timor-Leste & Economy: Timor-Leste begins exporting Laga salt to New Zealand—300 tonnes—marking a push to grow local production and jobs. Timor-Leste & Regional Links: Timor-Leste and the Philippines signed an MoU to expand higher-education cooperation, including scholarships, research, quality assurance, and credit transfer. Climate & Pacific Politics: At pre-COP31 in Fiji and Tuvalu, Pacific leaders warned that climate finance is failing to move fast enough, while Australia’s pre-COP diplomacy faces scrutiny over limited leader turnout.

Pre-COP31 Climate Push: Pacific leaders used the Fiji-Tuvalu pre-COP31 run-up to warn that climate finance is too slow, too small, and too poorly structured—after seeing sea-level impacts firsthand in Tuvalu. Timor-Leste Diplomacy: Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met East Timor’s Bendito Freitas in Moscow, saying Russia is “keeping its guard up” while also stressing broader bilateral ties. Timor-Leste in the Spotlight at Pre-COP: Australia’s climate summit in the Pacific is drawing scrutiny over cost and guest list, with Timor-Leste’s president among the few non-Pacific leaders confirmed for the Tuvalu leg. Education Cooperation: Timor-Leste and the Philippines signed a higher-education MoU in Cebu to expand mobility, scholarships, research, quality assurance, and credit transfer. Trade and Jobs: Timor-Leste began exporting Laga salt to New Zealand—300 tonnes—aimed at boosting local production and private-sector growth. Cybercrime Crackdown: Timor-Leste detained 16 people in Dili over a telecom scam allegedly impersonating Japanese police to target victims in Japan. Energy and Infrastructure: A second LNG project is being discussed for Timor-Leste’s south coast, even as the first LNG push is still awaiting key decisions. Local Governance: Davao’s VRU is deputizing 100 personnel to crack down on smoking and liquor code violations, including smoking while driving.

Diplomacy: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met Timor-Leste’s Bendito Freitas in Moscow, with both sides discussing deeper political dialogue, trade, and humanitarian cooperation. Climate diplomacy: At Australia’s Pre-COP31 push in Fiji and Tuvalu, only two non-Pacific leaders are confirmed for the Tuvalu leaders’ event—Timor-Leste’s José Ramos-Horta among them—while Tuvalu urges world leaders to turn promises into action as it carries out land-reclamation work against rising seas. Education ties: Timor-Leste and the Philippines signed an MoU to expand higher-education cooperation, including scholarships, research, quality assurance, curriculum work, and credit transfer. Exports and jobs: Timor-Leste began exporting Laga salt to New Zealand—300 tonnes—marking a first step for the national salt industry and private-sector growth. Security: Timor-Leste detained 16 people in Dili over an alleged scam targeting Japan, accused of impersonating Japanese police using staged materials and call scripts. Energy and industry: Timor-Leste is also considering a second LNG project on the south coast, even as plans for its first LNG development continue.

Telecom Crime Crackdown: Timor-Leste investigators in Dili dismantled a cross-border “digital arrest” scam run by people impersonating Japanese police, detaining 16 suspects and seizing fake uniforms and Japanese-language fraud scripts. Climate Diplomacy: Pre-COP31 climate talks in Fiji are drawing limited non-Pacific leaders, with Timor-Leste’s José Ramos-Horta among the few confirmed, as leaders push for stronger action on sea-level rise and climate finance ahead of COP31 in Turkey. Energy & Trade Pressure: A proposed second LNG project for Timor-Leste is being discussed alongside the larger Greater Sunrise push, while Maersk announced new peak-season surcharges on Southeast Asia–Oceania shipping that include Timor-Leste. National Planning & Services: The government launched the 2027–2030 National Medium-Term Plan and monitoring results for the PED, while ministries visited a Tasitolu classroom pilot using modular block technology and inaugurated a new Laleia water supply system for about 2,700 people. Regional Governance: Thailand is set to host Timor-Leste’s PM for talks focused on trade, food security, health training, sustainable tourism, and maritime security cooperation.

Climate Diplomacy in the Pacific: Australia’s pre-COP31 push in Fiji and Tuvalu is drawing far fewer top leaders than hoped, with only a small set of non-Pacific countries (including East Timor) confirmed—raising questions about whether global attention will match the scale of sea-level and extreme-weather threats. ASEAN Energy Worries: A regional survey says rising energy prices and cost of living are the top concern across ASEAN, while energy shortages are also climbing—Timor-Leste included in the poll. Timor-Leste Development Updates: The government launched the 2027–2030 National Medium-Term Plan and reviewed progress under the 2011–2024 Strategic Development Plan, setting new priorities for budgets. Water and Classrooms: New water supply infrastructure in Laleia will serve about 2,700 people, and a pilot in Tasitolu is building nine classrooms and four toilets using modular “Block Solutions” technology. UN Police Training: Pacific and Timor-Leste police officers graduated from a UN Police peacekeeping program in Brisbane, boosting mission readiness. Regional Climate Resilience Model: Delegates from ASEAN and Europe visited a nature-based coastal protection project in the Philippines, including Timor-Leste, as a potential model for tidal flooding and storm surge protection.

Climate diplomacy in the Pacific: World powers are sending delegates to Fiji for pre-COP31 talks in Nadi (Oct 5–8), with Timor-Leste listed among the leaders expected to attend as island states push for stronger action on sea-level rise, 1.5°C limits, and climate finance. Energy and cost-of-living pressure: A regional survey says rising energy prices and living costs are the top worry in Southeast Asia (44.6%), with energy shortages also climbing (26.1%); Timor-Leste is included for the first time. Timor-Leste government delivery: The government launched the 2027–2030 National Medium-Term Plan and the PED progress monitoring report, setting priorities across economic diversification, infrastructure, social development, and institutions. Water and schools for communities: New classroom construction is being piloted in Tasitolu using modular “Block Solutions” tech, while a new water supply system in Laleia (Manatuto) is set to serve about 2,700 people. Regional cooperation and training: UN Police peacekeeping training graduated Pacific and Timor-Leste officers in Brisbane, and UNSW/partners trained UNTL staff and students on water catchment surveying for food and water security. Diplomatic ties: Timor-Leste’s foreign ministry met UAE officials in Abu Dhabi, focusing on digitisation, people-to-people links, and water security ahead of the UN Water Conference.