AGP Executive Report

Education Infrastructure: Timor-Leste’s government is monitoring a pilot at 12 de Outubro Filial Basic School in Tasitolu, Dili, building nine new classrooms and four toilets using Block Solutions modular technology made from recycled materials—aimed at cutting time and transport hurdles; the US$27,000 project targets completion in about two months. Climate & Resilience Diplomacy: World powers are meeting in Nadi, Fiji (Oct 5–8) to set the agenda for COP31 in Turkey, with Pacific states pushing for the 1.5°C warming limit, better ocean-focused climate action, and a major boost to adaptation finance. Disaster Finance in ASEAN: ERIA and Vietnam’s ISPAE convened a regional workshop in Ho Chi Minh City on moving from risk management to climate-resilient growth through innovative disaster finance, with Timor-Leste participating as a full ASEAN member. Offshore Energy Surveys: Timor-Leste’s petroleum ministry has selected TDI-Brooks (with Taka Hydrocore Indonesia) for a light geotechnical and environmental baseline survey offshore to support TLNG pipeline routing to Natarbora; fieldwork is set to start mid-January 2027. Water Security Research Training: UNSW Engineering and Permatil trained UNTL staff and students to survey water catchment topography for catchment modelling under an ACIAR-linked project to improve food and water security. AI & Language Inclusion: A new report highlights how AI can widen linguistic inequality, while communities are using AI-enabled tools to document and preserve local languages—relevant for Tetun and other Timor-Leste language ecosystems.

Timor-Leste Water Security Training: UNSW Engineering and Permatil trained staff and students at UNTL to survey water catchment topography for catchment modelling, supporting an ACIAR-linked push to improve food and water security in rural areas. Offshore Energy Survey Moves Ahead: Timor-Leste’s Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources selected TDI-Brooks (with Taka Hydrocore Indonesia) for a light geotechnical and environmental baseline survey to support TLNG pipeline routing to Natarbora; field work is set to start mid-January 2027. Regional Climate Focus: ASEAN leaders urged practical cooperation on a regional power grid, climate finance, and resilience, while a Southeast Asia climate outlook survey shows people are worried about jobs and the economy alongside climate and extreme weather. Deep-Sea Tech Demonstration: Fugro’s remote AUV survey model—proving seabed work can be guided from far away—was highlighted as a proof-of-concept for Timor-Leste’s upcoming offshore campaign. Human Rights & Governance: The UN Child Rights Committee issued findings including on Timor-Leste, alongside a Timor-Leste Council of Ministers update endorsing a Universal Periodic Review state report for UN submission. Gender Equality Pressure: UN Women warned gender equality progress is far too slow, with the current pace putting it at 171 years—fueling renewed debate on leadership and inclusion.

UNSW x UNTL Water Survey Training: Staff and students from Universidade Nacional Timor Lorosa’e (UNTL) joined hands-on surveying training with UNSW Engineering and Permatil to map water catchment topography for catchment modelling under an ACIAR-linked project aimed at improving rural water access. Timor-Leste TLNG Offshore Survey Picks: The Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources selected TDI-Brooks (with Taka Hydrocore Indonesia) for a light geotechnical and environmental baseline survey offshore Timor-Leste to support pipeline routing for Greater Sunrise TLNG and the Bayu-Undan Pipeline Highway; fieldwork is set to start mid-January 2027. Fugro Adds More Timor-Leste Seabed Work: Fugro won additional heavy geotechnical and metocean survey contracts for Greater Sunrise and Bayu-Undan, with fieldwork planned for early 2027 and remote support from its Kuala Lumpur operations centre. ASEAN Climate Priorities: Singapore’s Grace Fu says ASEAN should focus on a regional power grid, climate finance, and resilience as the region weighs energy shocks and climate risks. Gender Equality Pressure at the UN: UN Women warns it will take 171 years to reach gender equality at the current pace, as debate grows over who should lead the UN next. ASEAN Digital Connectivity Angle: Coverage highlights how cross-border QR and digital payment interoperability are expanding across the region, with Timor-Leste mentioned in regional central bank cooperation.

Council of Ministers Update: Timor-Leste’s Council of Ministers endorsed the State Report for the UN Universal Periodic Review 2022–2026 and approved major budget spending for the Tasi Mane Project on the south coast, including procurement for project management and supervision services for the Suai Supply Base. Deepwater Survey Push for TLNG: Fugro secured additional Timor-Leste contracts tied to Greater Sunrise TLNG and the Bayu-Undan Pipeline Highway, including heavy geotechnical and metocean surveys planned to start in early 2027, supported by remote operations from Kuala Lumpur. Offshore Baseline Work for TLNG Routing: TDI-Brooks was selected to run a light geotechnical and environmental baseline survey offshore Timor-Leste to support pipeline routing to Natarbora, with field operations scheduled for mid-January 2027. Tech & Inclusion at the UN: Timor-Leste advocated for inclusive development and equitable access to new technologies at the United Nations, aligning tech policy with broader social goals. AI and Minority Languages: A new report highlights how AI can leave minority languages behind, while some communities are using AI-assisted tools to document and preserve local languages—relevant to Timor-Leste’s Tetun and broader regional language equity.

Deepwater Survey Push for Sunrise/TLNG: Fugro has won additional Timor-Leste Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources contracts, including heavy geotechnical and metocean surveys to map seabed and subsurface conditions for the Greater Sunrise Gas Export Pipeline and the Bayu-Undan Pipeline Highway toward Natarbora, with fieldwork planned to start in early 2027 and supported by remote operations from Kuala Lumpur. Offshore Baseline Work Starts Next: TDI-Brooks, with Taka Hydrocore Indonesia, was selected for a light geotechnical and environmental baseline survey offshore Timor-Leste to support TLNG pipeline routing, including seabed tests and sediment/water sampling, with operations scheduled to begin mid-January 2027. AI and Minority Languages: A new report highlights how generative AI can miss minority languages, while communities are using AI-enabled tools to document and preserve local languages—an issue directly relevant to Tetun and other Timor-Leste language ecosystems. Regional Tech Diplomacy: A separate piece notes Australia’s public broadcasters are being used as “soft power” across the Indo-Pacific, including partnerships with Timor-Leste, linking media, science, and research outreach. UN Gender Equality Pressure: A UN Women-focused brief warns progress toward gender equality is far too slow, with leadership and representation still heavily male-dominated.

Offshore Energy Survey: TDI-Brooks, with Taka Hydrocore Indonesia, has been selected to run a light geotechnical and environmental baseline survey offshore Timor-Leste for the planned TLNG pipeline routes to Natarbora, using the R/V Nautilus; field work is set to start mid-January 2027. Deepwater Pipeline Data Push: Fugro also secured new Timor-Leste Ministry contracts for heavy geotechnical and metocean surveys supporting Greater Sunrise TLNG and the Bayu-Undan Pipeline Highway, with campaigns planned for early 2027 after earlier geophysical work. AI & Language Access: A new report highlights how generative AI can miss minority languages, while communities are using AI-assisted tools to document and preserve local tongues—relevant for Timor-Leste’s Tetun and regional language tech. Health Focus: On World Heart Day, a clinical guide spotlights high CVD rates among Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders and urges earlier screening and better prevention strategies. Election Tech & Democracy: Australia’s electoral commissioner met Timor-Leste officials to discuss election organization and the risks from disinformation, social media and AI for democratic processes. Regional Tech Diplomacy: Coverage also notes Australia’s public broadcasters expanding partnerships across the Indo-Pacific, including Timor-Leste, as part of wider science, research and information outreach.

Offshore Energy Tech: Fugro won two more Timor-Leste Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources contracts—one heavy geotechnical survey and one metocean survey—to map seabed and subsurface conditions for the Greater Sunrise TLNG pipeline route and the Bayu-Undan Pipeline Highway, with fieldwork planned to start in Q1 2027 after earlier geophysical work. AI & Language Inclusion: A new report warns generative AI can deepen linguistic inequality by under-serving minority languages, while also highlighting how communities are using AI-assisted tools to document and preserve local languages. Media & Connectivity: Australia’s public broadcaster is expanding “soft power” partnerships across the Indo-Pacific, including Timor-Leste, by linking news and science programming with regional influence goals. Democracy Tech Challenges: Timor-Leste and Australia discussed how disinformation, social media, and AI are reshaping election administration, focusing on institutional readiness for rapid technological change. Regional Trade & Digital Growth: Timor-Leste’s ASEAN debut at the China-ASEAN Expo in Nanning spotlighted cooperation in agriculture, infrastructure, and the digital economy, with a push for technology skills and supply-chain links. Visa Mobility for Tech Travel: Australia’s Frequent Traveller visa stream now includes Timor-Leste, easing repeat tourism and business visits and allowing limited study and approved volunteer tourism.

Pacific Soft Power: Australia’s ABC is deepening deals with public broadcasters across the Indo-Pacific, including Timor-Leste, to push science, research, tourism and news as “soft power.” UN Changemakers: At the UN General Assembly, José Ramos-Horta and UAE envoy Badr Jafar were among honourees; Jafar received a Changemaker Award for using business and philanthropy to drive sustainable, inclusive development. Pipeline Science: Fugro won new Timor-Leste offshore survey contracts for Greater Sunrise TLNG and Bayu-Undan routes, adding heavy geotechnical and metocean work to improve seabed and subsurface data for engineering decisions. Digital Payments: Indonesia expanded cross-border QR payments for tourism and SMEs via Bank Indonesia’s QRIS Antarnegara and an “Indonesia Travel Pack” to make spending easier for visitors. Elections & Tech: Australia’s electoral commissioner met Timor-Leste officials on election management and the risks from disinformation, social media and AI. Health Milestone: WHO Regional Committee coverage highlighted Timor-Leste’s validated trachoma elimination, alongside broader regional progress on disease control and maternal/child health.

UN Diplomacy & Climate Justice: Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr warned that rising seas are already erasing Helen Island’s burial grounds, urging small island states to keep pushing the world to cut carbon pollution. Election Tech & Disinformation: Timor-Leste’s Minister Agio Pereira met Australia’s Electoral Commissioner Jeff Pope on election readiness, focusing on disinformation, social media, and AI risks to democratic processes. Offshore Energy Surveys: Fugro won new Timor-Leste contracts for heavy geotechnical and metocean seabed studies supporting the Greater Sunrise TLNG pipeline and the Bayu-Undan “pipeline highway,” with fieldwork planned for early 2027. Regional Payments Tech: Indonesia expanded cross-border QR payments for tourism and SMEs via Bank Indonesia’s QRIS Antarnegara work and the Indonesia Travel Pack, aiming for smoother spending for visitors. Heritage Protection: Timor-Leste designated Tutuala’s cultural landscape and Portuguese-origin architecture in Dili and Liquiçá as National Cultural Heritage, starting a conservation push with UNESCO support. Digital Talent: Indonesia announced a “Digital Talent for an Advanced Indonesia” push with Bank Indonesia and education partners to close digital skills gaps for inclusive transformation.

Pacific Partnership 2026: U.S. reservists are playing an active role across PP26’s medical, engineering, disaster management, and host-nation outreach lines, including mission stops in Timor-Leste and other Indo-Pacific countries. Public Health & WHO: At the WHO Regional Committee in Dili, Timor-Leste received validation for eliminating trachoma as a public health problem, alongside regional progress on immunization and noncommunicable diseases. Energy Infrastructure Surveys: Fugro won new geotechnical and metocean survey contracts for Timor-Leste’s Greater Sunrise TLNG and Bayu-Undan Pipeline Highway route planning, with field work set to start in Q1 2027. Elections Tech & Democracy: Australia’s electoral commissioner met Timor-Leste officials on election organization and how disinformation, social media, and AI are reshaping democratic processes. Heritage Protection: Timor-Leste designated the Cultural Landscape of Tutuala and Portuguese-origin architectural heritage in Dili and Liquiçá as National Cultural Heritage, setting up legal protection and conservation steps. Biotech Collaboration: bit.bio partnered with Myriamed to expand access to human heart cells for drug discovery and safety testing, supporting more human-relevant models.

Energy Infrastructure Surveys: Fugro won two more offshore survey contracts for Timor-Leste’s Greater Sunrise TLNG and Bayu-Undan Pipeline Highway, adding a six-month heavy geotechnical and a 12-month metocean campaign starting in Q1 2027 to map seabed and subsurface conditions for route selection. Digital Democracy & Tech Risks: Australia’s Electoral Commissioner Jeff Pope met Timor-Leste officials to discuss election organization and how disinformation, social media, and AI are reshaping democratic processes, with Timor-Leste stressing institutional readiness for rapid tech change. Biotech for Drug Discovery: Bit.bio partnered with Myriamed to expand access to human iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes for more human-relevant drug safety and toxicity research, targeting better prediction of cardiotoxicity and liver toxicity. Regional Payments Connectivity: Bank Indonesia rolled out cross-border QRIS Antarnegara progress and launched the Indonesia Travel Pack to make payments and travel services easier for international visitors and SMEs, highlighting the push for interoperable digital finance across the region. Public Health Recognition: At the WHO Regional Committee meeting in Dili, Timor-Leste received validation for eliminating trachoma as a public health problem, alongside other regional disease and maternal health milestones. Cultural Heritage Protection: Timor-Leste designated the Cultural Landscape of Tutuala and Portuguese-origin architectural heritage in Dili and Liquiçá as National Cultural Heritage, setting a legal basis for conservation with UNESCO support. UN Tech & Youth Focus: A UN side event on social business, youth, and technology featured Nobel laureate Prof. Muhammad Yunus and included Timor-Leste President José Ramos-Horta, linking microcredit ideas to today’s development and tech agenda.

Climate Diplomacy: Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. told the UN General Assembly that rising seas have already erased two-thirds of Helen Island, urging island nations to keep pushing for stronger action on carbon pollution. Energy Infrastructure Surveys: Fugro won new Timor-Leste contracts for heavy geotechnical and metocean seabed studies supporting the Greater Sunrise TLNG pipeline and the Bayu-Undan Pipeline Highway, with field work planned to start in early 2027 after earlier geophysical work. Digital Democracy & Elections: Australia’s Electoral Commissioner Jeff Pope met Timor-Leste officials in Dili to discuss election organization and how disinformation, social media, and AI are reshaping democratic processes. ASEAN Tech Integration: Timor-Leste is preparing dozens of legal instruments to fully integrate into ASEAN, including trade facilitation, competition, and customs reforms, with nearly 50 targeted for completion in 2026–2027. UN Tech & Social Business: At UNGA side events, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus highlighted microfinance, social business, youth entrepreneurship, and technology—welcoming Timor-Leste President José Ramos-Horta. Regional Digital Payments (Neighbor Watch): Indonesia expanded cross-border QR payments for tourism and SMEs, aiming to make travel spending and connectivity smoother across systems.

UN Tech & Democracy: Timor-Leste pushed for inclusive development and equitable access to new technologies at the United Nations, while also discussing how disinformation, social media, and AI are reshaping electoral processes. ASEAN Integration: Timor-Leste is preparing around 60 legal instruments to fully implement ASEAN commitments after joining as the 11th member, with nearly 50 targeted for 2026–2027. Offshore Energy Surveys: Fugro won new Timor-Leste contracts for heavy geotechnical and metocean seabed studies supporting the Greater Sunrise TLNG pipeline and the Bayu-Undan Pipeline Highway, with field work planned to start in early 2027. Heritage Protection: Timor-Leste designated the Cultural Landscape of Tutuala and Portuguese-origin architectural heritage in Dili and Liquiçá as National Cultural Heritage, setting up legal protection and conservation steps. Regional Tech Talent: At FEKDI x IFSE 2026, Indonesia highlighted digital talent development—an approach Timor-Leste can watch as it builds its own tech capacity. Cybercrime Warning: Timor-Leste joined regional calls for coordinated action against online scams, stressing stronger laws and faster cross-border information sharing.

Digital Permits & Mapping: Davao City’s CPDO launched the “DC GeoBusiness” app for geolocation-based business permit verification and zoning mapping, letting entrepreneurs drop a digital pin, upload site photos, and route approvals online instead of paper visits. Election Tech & Democracy: Timor-Leste and Australia discussed how disinformation, social media, and AI are reshaping electoral processes, with Australian Electoral Commissioner Jeff Pope meeting Timor-Leste officials on election organization and tech-driven risks. Offshore Energy Surveys: Fugro won new Timor-Leste contracts for heavy geotechnical and metocean seabed surveys supporting Greater Sunrise TLNG and the Bayu-Undan Pipeline Highway, with fieldwork planned to start in 2027. ASEAN Integration Planning: Timor-Leste is preparing dozens of legal instruments to implement ASEAN commitments, targeting nearly 50 for 2026–2027 across trade facilitation, competition, and customs reforms. UN Tech & Social Business: At UNGA events, Timor-Leste President José Ramos-Horta and Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus highlighted microfinance, social business, and technology as tools for development. Inclusive AI Push: UNGA side discussions also stressed “agency” in AI—access plus the ability to shape technology—echoing regional calls for skills and representation.

Offshore Energy Tech: Fugro won two more Timor-Leste Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources contracts for Greater Sunrise TLNG and Bayu-Undan Pipeline Highway planning—one heavy geotechnical survey (6 months) and one metocean survey (12 months), with fieldwork starting in Q1 2027 after earlier geophysical work, using deepwater seabed and subsurface data collection to support route selection and future engineering. Election Tech & Democracy: Australia’s Electoral Commissioner Jeff Pope met Timor-Leste officials in Dili to discuss election organization and the new risks posed by rapid tech change, especially disinformation, social media, and AI. UN Tech Diplomacy: Timor-Leste pushed for inclusive development and equitable access to new technologies at the United Nations, tying tech access to fair outcomes. Cybercrime & Scams: Timor-Leste featured in a regional UN-linked push to treat online scams as transnational organized crime, calling for stronger laws and faster cross-border information sharing. Heritage Protection: Timor-Leste designated Tutuala’s Cultural Landscape and Portuguese-origin architecture in Dili and Liquiçá as National Cultural Heritage, setting a legal basis for conservation with UNESCO support. ASEAN Integration: Timor-Leste is preparing dozens of legal instruments to fully implement ASEAN commitments after joining as the 11th member, including trade facilitation and customs reforms.

Offshore Energy Tech: Fugro won two more offshore survey contracts for Timor-Leste’s Greater Sunrise TLNG and Bayu-Undan Pipeline Highway plans, adding heavy geotechnical and metocean work to earlier geophysics; field campaigns are set to start in Q1 2027 after Q3 2026 geophysical work, using Seafloor Drill and SeaScout 35 MKII CPT systems in ultra-deep Timor Trough waters. Election Tech & Democracy: Australia’s Electoral Commissioner Jeff Pope met Timor-Leste officials to discuss election administration and the new pressures from disinformation, social media, and AI, with Minister Agio Pereira stressing institutional readiness for fast-changing technology. UN Tech & Health/AI Research: Deep Origin’s ARPA-H-funded PREDICTS consortium is rolling out in silico ADMET drug-safety prediction models in a pilot with multiple partners, aiming to screen millions of compounds using human-based safety models. ASEAN Integration Planning: Timor-Leste is preparing dozens of legal instruments to implement ASEAN commitments after joining as the 11th member, with nearly 50 targeted for 2026–2027 across trade facilitation, competition, and customs reforms. Biotech for Drug Discovery: bit.bio partnered with Myriamed to expand access to human cardiomyocytes for drug discovery, targeting better early detection of cardiotoxicity and liver toxicity risks.