5th Timor-Leste Energy, Mining, and Business Forum Highlights Sector's Role in National Economic Transformation
On November 24th, 2025, Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão presided over the opening session of the 5th Timor-Leste Energy, Mining, and Business Forum, which runs from November 24th to 26th in Dili. The meeting, organized by the Government through the National Petroleum Authority (ANP Portuguese acronyms) and the National Minerals Authority (ANM Portuguese acronyms), in partnership with The Energy Circle and IN-VR, brings together policy makers, regulators, investors, and representatives of national and international companies to discuss development and investment opportunities in the energy and mineral resources sectors. 
In his speech, the Prime Minister emphasized that the Forum is the main annual platform for updating and sharing perspectives on the development of the energy and mining industries in Timor-Leste, as well as on the opportunities available to the private sector. Xanana Gusmão recalled that, over the last two decades, Timor-Leste has consolidated a peaceful and democratic state, with an open society and a growing economy, geared towards sustainable development and the defense of long-term national interests.
The Head of Government also highlighted Timor-Leste's recent accession to the World Trade Organization and the completion of the process of full membership in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), emphasizing that these milestones reinforce the country's economic credibility and place Timor-Leste in a strategic position in the region. “Joining ASEAN puts Timor-Leste in a strategic position to become an important energy and mining hub in Southeast Asia,” he said.
Xanana Gusmão noted that the 2011–2030 Strategic Development Plan defines energy and minerals, alongside tourism and agriculture, as priority sectors for job creation, attracting investment, and economic diversification. In this context, he framed the Tasi Mane Project, which integrates the Suai Supply Base, the Natarbora industrial hub with liquefied natural gas and helium facilities, the refinery, the maritime terminal, the Betano power plant, and associated road and urban infrastructure, as a structuring axis for the industrialization of the south coast.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed that the Greater Sunrise oil field is the central pillar of this energy and industrial development strategy. “The Government's position on Greater Sunrise has always been clear. Natural gas from Greater Sunrise must be processed onshore in Timor-Leste,” he said, stressing that “this is essential for national development.” He recalled that independent assessments have confirmed the feasibility of an underwater pipeline to the south coast and that processing on national territory is crucial to ensure that the value generated remains in Timor-Leste, strengthens energy security, supports the construction of the industrial base, and creates thousands of jobs, particularly for young people.
The Head of Government stressed that the development of Greater Sunrise and the growth of the mining sector are central to consolidating a strong and sustainable economy capable of ensuring the well-being of the population. "The Timorese people have suffered greatly for their self-determination. Now we face the challenge of building an economy capable of guaranteeing the well-being of our population," he said, calling for the active participation of investors and international partners in building new partnerships and boosting productive investment.
Xanana Gusmão drew attention to the growing interest in minerals, including gold, copper, magnesium, and other resources, whose development could support economic diversification, strengthen national technical skills, and create jobs, especially in rural areas. In this regard, he emphasized that Timor-Leste has clear rules and a solid legal framework to regulate mineral development and offer predictability and confidence to investors.
The President of the ANP, Gualdino do Carmo da Silva, highlighted that the Forum with international partners is the result of ongoing promotional work, which has generated positive responses and growing interest from the oil and minerals industry in Timor-Leste. He noted that investors recognize the existence of resources, a contractual and legal framework favorable to investment, and governance marked by transparency, consistency, and regulatory stability.
During the opening session, attended by the Prime Minister, The member of Parliament Cedeliza Faria dos Santos, Vice-Prime Minister and Minister Coordinator for Economic Affairs Francisco Kalbuadi Lay, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Resources Francisco da Costa Monteiro, as well as the Presidents of the ANP and ANM, the public mining tender for the granting of licenses for the prospecting and exploration of metallic and non-metallic minerals for 2025 was officially launched.
The 5th Timor-Leste Energy, Mining, and Business Forum is attended by more than 400 delegates, including representatives from around 70 countries, and runs until November 26th. Over three days, the program includes sessions dedicated to investment in the mining sector, the development of Greater Sunrise, other oil and gas projects, and energy transition, as well as opportunities for public decision-makers, regulators, investors, and business leaders to meet. The aim is to deepen dialogue, identify opportunities for cooperation, and support the economic transformation of Timor-Leste, in line with the 2011–2030 Strategic Development Plan and the Program of the 9th Constitutional Government.
