AGP Executive Report

Poultry & Public Health: Asturias (Cebu) ordered an industrial poultry farm to halt “no chick-in” after a severe fly infestation, with regulators saying it won’t resume until sanitation upgrades fix the environmental and health issues. Flooding & Drainage: Residents of Guadalupe Heights Village in Barangay Guadalupe urged Cebu City to build a larger culvert and drainage system after heavy rains triggered repeat flooding. Offshore Energy: Eni formalised a joint operating agreement with Timor GAP for TL-SO-22-23 (Block P), setting the framework for exploration work offshore Timor-Leste, including planned 3D seismic and a future exploration well. Carbon Capture: Santos said it is pushing ahead with offshore Timor-Leste carbon capture and storage using the Bayu-Undan brownfield, targeting approvals with Timor-Leste for scalable CO2 handling. Agritech & Skills: Timor-Leste took part in an Agritechnica Asia Hackathon in Bangkok, where teams built AI tools aimed at practical farming challenges. ASEAN Integration: Vietnam and Timor-Leste leaders met in Hanoi, with Vietnam backing Timor-Leste’s ASEAN membership and agreeing to expand cooperation across sectors. Regional Energy Risk: A Zurich Insurance report flagged climate exposure for most Asean renewable sites by 2030, noting Timor-Leste was excluded from the assessment.

Offshore Energy Deal: Eni has formalised a joint operating agreement with state-owned Timor GAP for the TL-SO-22-23 (Block P) production sharing contract offshore Timor-Leste, setting the rules for joint decisions, technical work and cost management, with exploration including 3D seismic and a planned exploration well. Fisheries Monitoring Model: A new fisheries data push in Kenya is explicitly modeled on Timor-Leste’s national fisheries monitoring system started in 2016, aiming to improve vessel tracking, harmonize data and give both fishers and government better decision tools. Carbon Capture Progress: Santos says it is continuing work on the Bayu-Undan CCS project in Timor-Leste, designed to store up to 10 million tonnes of CO2 per year, with approvals now the main focus after front-end engineering and design. ASEAN Integration Push: In Hanoi, Vietnam and Timor-Leste leaders agreed to expand cooperation as Timor-Leste formally joins ASEAN, while ASEAN Future Forum discussions highlighted supply-chain resilience, AI governance and green/digital development—issues Timor-Leste will likely plug into next. Regional Infrastructure Linkages: Timor-Leste’s petroleum minister told the 17th IIICF in Macao he wants to use the platform to connect with China and others on strategic infrastructure, including a Suai supply base and a highway under the South Coast plan. Health Aid Note: Australia’s COVID-19 vaccine donations to Pacific nations included about 278,000 doses for Timor-Leste.

Energy & Offshore Projects: Santos says it’s continuing work on offshore carbon capture and storage in Timor-Leste, using the Bayu-Undan field as a brownfield base to handle CO2 from Barossa and potentially other nearby high-CO2 fields, with approvals now the main hurdle. Oil & Gas Development: Eni has formalised a joint operating agreement with Timor GAP for TL-SO-22-23 (Block P), setting the governance for joint exploration activities, including planned 3D seismic and a future exploration well. Regional Policy & Diplomacy: Vietnam’s ASEAN Future Forum in Hanoi put Timor-Leste front and centre, with leaders stressing ASEAN’s shift from reacting to shocks toward shaping regional rules—alongside bilateral talks that reaffirm support for Timor-Leste’s full participation in ASEAN mechanisms. ASEAN Infrastructure & Trade Links: Timor-Leste’s petroleum minister flagged interest in using the 17th IIICF in Macao to connect with Chinese and other partners on strategic infrastructure, including South Coast supply-base and highway plans. Skills & Jobs (Regional Spillover): A Cebu job fair hired 261 people on the spot, showing how labour-market matching and training pipelines are being scaled across the region. Agritech & Data-Driven Farming: A hackathon in Bangkok brought Timor-Leste developers into AI solutions for practical farming problems, from equipment data to connectivity limits.

ASEAN Integration & Diplomacy: Vietnam’s Prime Minister used the ASEAN Future Forum in Hanoi to push ASEAN to shape new rules on peace, prosperity, and people-centered development, with Timor-Leste among the leaders attending—while Vietnam and Timor-Leste also agreed to expand cooperation and Vietnam’s National Assembly said it will back agreement signing and implementation. Energy & Infrastructure: Santos says it is advancing offshore carbon capture and storage in Timor-Leste, using Bayu-Undan as a brownfield hub to handle CO2 from Barossa and seeking fiscal and regulatory approvals. Telecoms & Connectivity: Viettel approved a $560m investment to enter the Dominican mobile market, highlighting its broader international push that includes Timor-Leste’s Telemor. Regional Risk & Resilience: A Zurich Insurance report warns most Asean renewable energy sites face severe climate exposure by 2030 (excluding Timor-Leste), arguing for early resilience spending to cut losses. Maritime/Trade Platforms: Timor-Leste’s petroleum minister flagged China-linked infrastructure opportunities at Macao’s IIICF, including a Suai supply base and highway discussions with Chinese firms.

ASEAN Integration & Diplomacy: Timor-Leste’s Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão met Vietnam’s top leaders in Hanoi, with Vietnam backing Timor-Leste’s full and effective participation in ASEAN mechanisms after its recent accession. Regional Infrastructure & Industry Links: At the 17th IIICF in Macao, Timor-Leste’s petroleum minister said the country wants to use the China-led infrastructure platform to connect with Chinese firms and advance South Coast projects like a Suai supply base and highway. Energy Transition Risk: A Zurich Insurance report warns most Asean renewable sites face severe climate exposure by 2030, with US$165bn in assets at risk (excluding Timor-Leste), and says early resilience spending could cut losses sharply. Offshore Energy Project Watch: Santos said it is pushing ahead with offshore carbon capture and storage in Timor-Leste, using Bayu-Undan CCS to handle CO2 from Barossa and seeking fiscal and regulatory approvals. Marine & Coastal Governance: Separate regional coverage highlights stronger coastal enforcement and disaster-ready training for marine volunteers, underlining how safety and environment oversight are becoming more operational. Food & Supply Pressures: Vaccine donations to Pacific states included 278,000 doses to Timor-Leste, while broader coverage flags climate and food-system stress across APAC.

Telecom Investment: Viettel (Timor-Leste’s Telemor brand) approved a US$560m push into the Dominican Republic, underscoring how regional telcos are scaling digital infrastructure abroad. Energy & CCS: Santos says it’s keeping its offshore carbon capture and storage plan alive in Timor-Leste, using Bayu-Undan as a brownfield base to handle CO2 from Barossa while seeking fiscal and regulatory approvals with Timor-Leste. ASEAN Integration & Diplomacy: Vietnam and Timor-Leste leaders met in Hanoi and agreed to expand cooperation as Timor-Leste settles into ASEAN; Vietnam’s NA chair also flagged support for signing and implementing bilateral agreements. Regional Policy Platform: The ASEAN Future Forum 2026 in Hanoi put Timor-Leste alongside other ASEAN leaders, with Vietnam urging ASEAN to move from adapting to global trends toward shaping rules—plus a stronger innovation and digital-economy agenda. Marine Economy: Timor-Leste launched National Sea Day and Ocean Week 2026, promoting ocean conservation, marine education, sustainable development and Blue Economy activities nationwide. Climate Risk for Renewables: A Zurich Insurance report warns most ASEAN renewable sites face severe climate exposure by 2030, with resilience spending potentially cutting losses—relevant as Timor-Leste weighs its energy transition path.

Offshore Energy & CCS: Santos says it has completed front-end engineering for Bayu-Undan CCS in Timor-Leste, targeting up to 10 million tonnes of CO2 per year and seeking fiscal and regulatory approvals with the Timorese government, with Barossa as the anchor tenant. Climate Risk for Power Assets: A Zurich Insurance report warns 75% of Southeast Asia’s renewable generation sites (excluding Timor-Leste) face severe climate risk by 2030, arguing for about US$13 billion in resilience spending to cut losses by 40–50%. ASEAN Integration & Policy: Timor-Leste PM Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão’s Vietnam visit and ASEAN Future Forum 2026 in Hanoi highlight deeper cooperation with Vietnam, plus Vietnam’s NA chairman backing favourable conditions for signing and implementing bilateral agreements. Regional Energy Planning: A TransitionZero study on the ASEAN Power Grid notes momentum is building but cross-border projects still face regulatory and technical hurdles, with Timor-Leste lacking available data. Blue Economy & Ocean Week: Timor-Leste’s National Ocean Week 2026 runs through World Ocean Day (8 June), featuring ocean conservation, marine education, and Blue Economy events led by the tourism and environment ministry. Infrastructure & Construction Links: Timor-Leste’s petroleum minister says China-focused infrastructure matchmaking at the 17th IIICF is being used to connect for South Coast projects like a Suai supply base and highway.

ASEAN Integration Push: Vietnam’s PM Le Minh Hung used the ASEAN Future Forum in Hanoi to argue ASEAN must move from reacting to global trends to shaping new rules, with Timor-Leste’s ASEAN membership front and center as the bloc’s “people-centered” agenda links peace, prosperity, and digital-era innovation. Timor-Leste–Vietnam Dealmaking: Timor-Leste PM Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão met Vietnamese leaders in Hanoi and secured support for deeper bilateral cooperation, while Vietnam’s National Assembly chair said it will help speed signing and implementation of agreements—key for trade and institutional follow-through. Energy & Blue Economy Pressure: A Coral Triangle-focused campaign says most major insurers still won’t rule out LNG coverage across the region that includes Timor-Leste, raising stakes for marine protection and future energy financing. Ocean Week 2026: Timor-Leste launched National Ocean Week leading to World Ocean Day (8 June), featuring a Blue Economy exhibition in Dili and an Ocean Parade to boost marine education and sustainable development. Regional Connectivity Tools: A new report on the ASEAN Power Grid highlights that cross-border power projects remain slowed by regulatory and technical hurdles, even as Timor-Leste’s data gap is noted—relevant for future electricity trade planning.

ASEAN Integration & Diplomacy: Timor-Leste’s PM Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão met Vietnam leaders in Hanoi and used the ASEAN Future Forum to push deeper cooperation after Timor-Leste’s ASEAN accession, while Vietnam’s National Assembly chair said Vietnam will help make bilateral agreements easier to sign and implement. Regional Policy Push: Vietnamese PM Le Minh Hung urged ASEAN to move from just reacting to global trends to actively shaping new norms, with a people-centered, innovation-led agenda tied to the ASEAN Community Vision 2045. Energy & Infrastructure: A new push to revive the ASEAN Power Grid is gaining momentum, but cross-border projects still face regulatory and technical hurdles—Timor-Leste is noted as lacking available grid data. Ocean & Environment: Timor-Leste marked National Sea Day and Ocean Week 2026 with nationwide events promoting ocean conservation and the Blue Economy, and UNESCO added Timor-Leste’s Nino Konis Santana as a new biosphere reserve to its global network. Marine Climate Debate: In the Coral Triangle, insurers are still not ruling out LNG expansion coverage, despite calls to treat the region as a no-go zone for new fossil fuel development.

ASEAN Integration & Diplomacy: Timor-Leste PM Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão met Vietnam’s PM Le Minh Hung in Hanoi and attended the 3rd ASEAN Future Forum, with both sides stressing deeper cooperation as Timor-Leste settles into ASEAN as its 11th member. Regional Economic Policy: At AFF 2026, Vietnam’s PM urged ASEAN to move from reacting to global trends to shaping new rules—building innovation capacity, upgrading manufacturing for the digital era, and strengthening a people-centered community. Energy & Infrastructure Planning: A new TransitionZero report says the ASEAN Power Grid is gaining momentum but cross-border projects still face regulatory and technical hurdles; it calls for better shared modeling tools to guide interconnector decisions—relevant as Timor-Leste joins regional power planning. Blue Economy & Marine Stewardship: Timor-Leste’s National Ocean Week 2026 runs nationwide ahead of World Ocean Day, featuring ocean conservation events, marine education, and Blue Economy activities led by the Ministry of Tourism and Environment. Tourism Skills Development: The Ministry of Tourism launched a Timor-Leste Tourism Ambassador Programme to train hospitality workers in customer service, professionalism, and destination knowledge, with more sessions planned through 2026. Biodiversity Conservation: UNESCO added Timor-Leste’s Nino Konis Santana to its World Network of Biosphere Reserves, expanding global ecosystem protection and sustainable development efforts.

ASEAN Integration & Diplomacy: Timor-Leste’s growing ASEAN role stays in focus as Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão heads to Vietnam (June 7–10) and attends the 3rd ASEAN Future Forum in Hanoi, with talks aimed at deeper bilateral cooperation and new agreements in education and higher education. Blue Economy & Marine Stewardship: Timor-Leste marked National Sea Day and Ocean Week 2026 with a nationwide program culminating on World Ocean Day (June 8), including a Dili Ocean Parade and a Blue Economy photography exhibition to push ocean conservation and sustainable development. Biodiversity Conservation: UNESCO added new biosphere reserves worldwide, including Timor-Leste’s Nino Konis Santana, expanding the global network to 797 sites and reinforcing ecosystem protection. Tourism Skills: The Ministry of Tourism launched a Timor-Leste Tourism Ambassador Programme in Dili to train hospitality workers in customer service, professionalism, and destination knowledge, with more sessions planned through 2026. Energy & Regional Power Planning: A new open-source grid model for the ASEAN Power Grid highlights how cross-border electricity trade could accelerate the energy transition, while noting Timor-Leste’s data gaps and the regulatory hurdles slowing interconnector progress.

Ocean Week & Blue Economy: Timor-Leste kicked off National Ocean Week 2026 with nationwide ocean conservation and marine education events, culminating on World Ocean Day (8 June). The programme includes a Dili Blue Economy photography exhibition and a National Day of the Sea Ocean Parade from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to Largo Lecidere, bringing together schools, youth, civil society, faith groups and the private sector. ASEAN Integration & Diplomacy: Timor-Leste’s PM Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão is in Vietnam (8–10 June) for bilateral talks and to speak at the 3rd ASEAN Future Forum in Hanoi (9–10 June), as the country deepens ASEAN ties and regional cooperation. Tourism Skills Push: The Ministry of Tourism launched the Timor-Leste Tourism Ambassador Programme (free, certified training) to upgrade customer service and destination knowledge, with 59 participants in the first sessions and about 300 targeted for the next phase (July–September). Biosphere Reserve Recognition: UNESCO added Timor-Leste’s Nino Konis Santana to its World Network of Biosphere Reserves, expanding global ecosystem protection efforts. Energy Planning (Regional): Asean power trade is getting renewed momentum, but cross-border projects still face regulatory and technical hurdles; a new open-source grid model aims to help governments and utilities plan interconnectors more clearly.

Tourism Skills Push: Timor-Leste’s Ministry of Tourism launched a free Timor-Leste Tourism Ambassador Programme (Dili Convention Centre, June 1–2) to train frontline staff in customer service, professionalism, and destination knowledge, with 59 participants and more sessions planned July–September for about 300 trainees. ASEAN Integration & Trade Links: Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão is in Vietnam (June 8–10) for the ASEAN Future Forum 2026 and bilateral talks, with plans to sign four agreements including education and higher education cooperation, as Timor-Leste deepens ASEAN integration and regional partnerships. Bilateral Cooperation Focus: Vietnam and Timor-Leste are positioning cooperation in areas like telecommunications, digital transformation, agriculture, energy, and human resources, building on projects such as Viettel’s Telemor mobile network. Energy & Gas Industry Watch: Sunda Energy says it is progressing gas exploration and highlights its “transformational” move toward production via a New Zealand acquisition, while keeping Timor-Leste as a key focus after a postponed appraisal well. Environment & Conservation: UNESCO added Timor-Leste’s Nino Konis Santana to its World Network of Biosphere Reserves, expanding ecosystem protection and sustainable resource management.

ASEAN Integration & Diplomacy: Timor-Leste PM Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão is in Vietnam for a 3-day official visit (June 8–10) and will speak at the 3rd ASEAN Future Forum in Hanoi, with talks aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation as both countries mark 60 years of diplomatic ties in 2027. Education & Skills: The visit agenda includes signing four agreements, including education and higher education deals focused on academic partnerships, student/lecturer exchanges, training and research, and scholarships—supporting Timor-Leste’s human capital push as it integrates further into ASEAN. Tourism Workforce: Dili’s Ministry of Tourism launched the Timor-Leste Tourism Ambassador Programme (June 1–2 start), training 59 frontline workers at the Dili Convention Centre with free participation; more sessions are planned July–September for about 300 participants. Energy & Investment Signals: Sunda Energy’s CEO says the company is rebuilding after a Timor-Leste appraisal delay and is advancing gas exploration while pursuing a “transformational” acquisition in New Zealand—keeping Timor-Leste in its core portfolio. Regional Trade & Standards: A separate EU food-safety update for freezer vessels is expected to affect most Pacific Island exports to the EU, underscoring the compliance pressure facing regional seafood supply chains that include Timor-Leste.

ASEAN Integration & Diplomacy: Timor-Leste’s Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão is set to attend the ASEAN Future Forum 2026 in Hanoi (June 7-10), with officials saying the trip is meant to deepen ties and speed up Timor-Leste’s integration into ASEAN. Bilateral Trade & Skills: Vietnam says the visit will expand cooperation in areas like telecommunications, digital transformation, agriculture, energy, and human resources, with four agreements planned including education and higher education partnerships. Tourism Workforce: Dili’s Ministry of Tourism launched a Timor-Leste Tourism Ambassador Programme (June 1-2 start), training 59 frontline workers at the Dili Convention Centre, with more sessions planned July-September for about 300 participants total. Offshore Oil & Gas Development: Finder Energy reported progress on the Kuda Tasi and Jahal (KTJ) project in the Timor Sea, submitting the EIS and field development plan, while Amplus Energy issued an invitation to tender for redeploying the Petrojarl I FPSO for the project. Energy/Industry Investment Pipeline: Sunda Energy highlighted ongoing gas exploration focus tied to Timor-Leste, alongside portfolio moves in the Philippines and a “transformational” acquisition in New Zealand.

ASEAN & Diplomacy: Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão heads to Vietnam (June 8–10) to deepen bilateral ties and deliver at the ASEAN Future Forum 2026, with four agreements expected to cover education and higher education cooperation. Tourism Skills: Timor-Leste’s Ministry of Tourism launched a Tourism Ambassador Programme in Dili (June 1–2), training 59 frontline workers with free, ministry-funded sessions aimed at lifting customer service and destination knowledge. Energy & Offshore Industry: Sunda Energy says it is progressing Timor-Leste gas work after a postponed appraisal well, while also pushing a transformational New Zealand acquisition; separately, Finder Energy reported it has submitted the EIS and field development plan for the KTJ oil fields in the Timor Sea. Digital Government: Timor-Leste officially launched verify.gov.tl, a national digital document verification portal developed with Cambodia’s technical assistance, under a 2025 digital transformation MoU. Trade & Compliance: A regional push for clearer import licensing procedures highlights how transparency and digital tools can cut trade costs and improve predictability for businesses.