Timor-Leste Promotes Culture, Trade, and International Cooperation at the World Island Cities Conference and the 2026 Yeosu World Islands Expo
The Minister of Commerce and Industry, Filipus Nino Pereira, and the Secretary of State for Art and Culture, Jorge Soares Cristóvão, represented Timor-Leste at the World Island Cities Conference 2026 and at the opening of the 2026 Yeosu World Islands Expo, held in the city of Yeosu, Republic of Korea, as part of an official visit from September 2nd to 7th, 2026. 
The World Island Cities Conference took place from September 3rd to 5th, 2026 at Sonokam Yeosu, under the theme “Islands of the World, Promise of the Future”, bringing together representatives from island cities and territories, international organisations, and experts from various countries.
Discussions focused on the sustainable development of island communities, the conservation of marine and coastal ecosystems, cultural preservation and exchange, sustainable tourism, innovation, and economic opportunities related to island territories.
The national delegation, which also included the Director-General of Commerce, Elias de Jesus, and representatives from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the State Secretariat for Art and Culture, attended a welcome dinner on September 3rd, 2026, marking the start of the conference programme.
On the occasion, Minister Filipus Nino Pereira highlighted culture and economic cooperation as instruments for bringing island communities together and creating development opportunities.
“Timor-Leste is pleased to share our cultural heritage, traditions, tais, coffee, handicrafts, music, and the spirit of our island communities, whilst highlighting the importance of protecting our seas, environment, and heritage for future generations. As island nations and communities across the world, we share similar aspirations: sustainable development, strong communities, and greater opportunities through trade, investment, tourism, and cultural exchange,” said the Minister.
Filipus Nino Pereira added that Timor-Leste intends to “continue to strengthen the friendship between Timor-Leste and the Republic of Korea and promote greater cooperation among island nations and cities”.
On the sidelines of the conference, the Minister of Commerce and Industry and the Secretary of State for Art and Culture met with the Mayor of Yeosu, Seo Young-hak, to discuss opportunities for cooperation in the fields of culture, tourism, and other areas of mutual interest.
The meeting addressed cultural exchange programmes, tourism promotion initiatives, and other activities aimed at strengthening relations between communities. Possibilities for cooperation in creative industries, sustainable tourism, and economic diversification were also highlighted during the meeting.
On September 4th, 2026, the delegation, accompanied by the Ambassador of Timor-Leste to the Republic of Korea, António de Sá Benevides, visited the Gwangyang Bay Free Economic Zone and met with the Commissioner of the Authority, Koo Choong-gon.
During the meeting, opportunities for economic cooperation, trade, and investment were analysed, and experiences regarding the operation of free economic zones were shared. Discussions covered areas such as manufacturing, logistics, renewable energy, infrastructure, fisheries and maritime industries, agro-processing, and digital technologies.
Minister Filipus Nino Pereira highlighted the potential for strengthening economic cooperation with the Republic of Korea at a time when Timor-Leste is advancing its regional economic integration within the framework of ASEAN.
The cultural and economic promotion component continued on September 5th, 2026 with the participation of the Minister of Commerce and Industry and the Secretary of State for Art and Culture in the opening ceremony of the 2026 Yeosu World Islands Expo.
The Yeosu World Islands Expo, running from September 5th to November 4th, 2026, brings together participants from various countries and features exhibitions, cultural performances, and other activities dedicated to the history, culture, environment, and future of island communities.
Timor-Leste is participating in the exposition with a space dedicated to promoting its cultural identity and national products, showcasing its heritage, arts and traditions, tais, handicrafts, music, and products such as coffee.
Minister Filipus Nino Pereira and Secretary of State Jorge Soares Cristóvão, accompanied by Ambassador António de Sá Benevides and the rest of the delegation, visited the area dedicated to Timor-Leste and took part in the exhibition programme, which included visits to Yeosu’s cultural and exhibition venues.
Timor-Leste’s participation also provided an opportunity to showcase national culture and products to other delegations and visitors, fostering exchange with other island communities represented at the event.
During the official visit to the Republic of Korea, the Secretary of State for Art and Culture and the Ambassador of Timor-Leste also visited Kwandong Catholic University on September 2nd, 2026, meeting with Father Noel Dong-Hyung Go and Soleiman Dias.
Timor-Leste’s participation in the Yeosu events provided an opportunity to present its cultural heritage and national products, engage in international dialogue on the development of island communities, and establish contacts for cooperation with institutions in the Republic of Korea in the areas of culture, tourism, trade, and investment.
