Government of Timor-Leste

Agio Pereira, Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, met today, May 7^th, 2026, at the Government Palace in Dili with Jessica Hunter, Australia’s Ambassador for Cyber Affairs and Critical Technology, to discuss measures on cybersecurity, digital protection, and responses to risks in cyberspace.

The meeting was also attended by the Director-General of the National Strategic Intelligence Service (SNIE – acronym in Portuguese), Longuinhos Monteiro; representatives of the Australian Embassy in Timor-Leste, including Ambassador Caitlin Wilson; and advisors to the Office of the President of the Council of Ministers.

The meeting took place within the framework of the “Parceria Foun ba Era Foun” (“New Partnership for a New Era”), established between the governments of Timor-Leste and Australia, which provides for bilateral cooperation across various strategic areas, including cybersecurity.

During the meeting, the Australian delegation presented the results of the gap analysis and the strategic roadmap, prepared by the Australian consulting firm Scyne Advisory, to strengthen the Government of Timor-Leste’s cyber capabilities. The document outlines measures and solutions for institutional strengthening, national coordination, and improving capacity to prevent and respond to cyber risks.

During the meeting, the Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers explained that most of the priority areas, measures, and solutions identified in the report are already included in the national cybersecurity package being prepared by the Government of Timor-Leste.

The legislative package currently under development provides for the creation of laws to strengthen the national legal and institutional framework in this area, including establishing a National Cybersecurity Strategy and legal frameworks for cyberspace security, digital services, cybercrime, and the protection of whistleblowers.

The initiative aims to strengthen the security of information networks and systems, protect critical infrastructure and essential services, improve the capacity to prevent and respond to cyber incidents, and promote safer, more responsible use of the digital environment by citizens, businesses, and public institutions. The package also provides mechanisms for strategic coordination and for national and international cooperation in this area.

Ambassador Jessica Hunter also shared Australia’s experience in addressing global cyber risks and the measures it has taken to enhance digital resilience.