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Timor-Leste and Indonesia have successfully concluded the third round of formal maritime boundary negotiations, held in Singapore from 27–29 April 2026. This round builds on significant progress made during the previous rounds in 2025—held in Dili and Yogyakarta. 

Timor-Leste’s delegation was led by Elizabeth Exposto, Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Land and Maritime Boundary Office. The Indonesian delegation was led by His Excellency Ambassador Amrih Jinangkung, who is the Ambassador of Indonesia to the Netherlands and was the former Director-General for International Treaty Affairs in the Indonesia Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The three-day meeting in Singapore saw constructive and sincere engagement, leading to meaningful progress being made.  The two delegations worked diligently to foster mutual understanding and remained committed to working towards an equitable and acceptable solution for both two nations.

The fourth round of talks will be held in August in Indonesia.

Timor-Leste has previously concluded a permanent maritime boundary negotiation with Australia through a successful conciliation process under UNCLOS, resulting in a treaty between the two nations, signed in 2018 and ratified in 2019.

From April 28^th to 30^th, 2026, Timor-Leste hosted the Strategic Meeting of the Least Developed Countries (LDC) Group in Dili, which brought together approximately 45 delegates from member states and partner institutions to strengthen coordination and set common priorities for climate action.

The opening session was chaired by the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Jesuína Maria Ferreira Gomes, who reaffirmed Timor-Leste’s strong commitment to supporting the Least Developed Countries Group in advancing global climate action and strengthening multilateral cooperation. 

During the meeting, the Special Envoy for Climate Change and Chair of the LDC Group for the 2026–2027 term, Ambassador Adão Soares Barbosa, led the proceedings, which centred on analysing the outcomes of COP30 and defining strategies for their implementation.

In her remarks, Jesuína Maria Ferreira Gomes noted that the Least Developed Countries, despite their small contribution to global emissions, are among the most affected by climate change, emphasising the need to ensure the full implementation of the Paris Agreement, particularly the commitment to limit the global temperature rise to 1.5°C.

She also stressed the importance of expanded, predictable, and accessible climate finance, particularly for adaptation, as well as enhanced support for loss and damage, improved technology transfer, and capacity building, in line with the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities.

The participants also reviewed the Belém Political Package, adopted at COP30. They exchanged views on the priorities for the 64th Session of the Subsidiary Bodies of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, to be held in Bonn, Germany, in June 2026, and for COP31 in Antalya, Turkey, in November 2026, as well as on the GEF-9 programming process.

The meeting, chaired by Timor-Leste, which holds the presidency of the LDC Group for the 2026–2027 term, highlighted the need to strengthen coordination among member states, clarify strategic priorities, and accelerate the implementation of climate actions at national and local levels.

In closing the event, the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation also expressed her appreciation to all delegates and partners for their contributions and encouraged participants to turn dialogue into concrete action, emphasising that real progress will be measured by implementation and meaningful changes on the ground.

Presidency of the Council of Ministers

Spokesperson of the Government of Timor-Leste

Ninth Constitutional Government

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April 30^th, 2026

Press Release

Timor -Leste mourns the death of John M. Miller

The Government of Timor-Leste expresses its deep sorrow at the recent passing of John M. Miller in New York, co-founder and former National Coordinator of the East Timor and Indonesia Action Network (ETAN), and a longtime friend of the Timorese.

John M. Miller has dedicated several decades to advocating for self-determination, human rights, and justice for the people of Timor-Leste. In 1991, following the Santa Cruz Massacre, the East Timor Action Network (ETAN) was established. He was a co-founder of the organisation, which played a key role in raising international awareness of the situation in Timor-Leste and mobilising support from civil society, the media, and policymakers in the United States.

Throughout his career, John M. Miller contributed to awareness-raising and advocacy campaigns defending the rights of the Timorese people and seeking recognition of their right to self-determination. In addition to ETAN, he was a member of the War Resisters League, War Resisters International, and other peace organisations, and he established the Foreign Bases Project, dedicated to opposing U.S. militarism in other countries.

Timor-Leste has recognised the work of John M. Miller and ETAN. In 2003, Miller was honoured with the Order of Timor on ETAN’s behalf. In 2012, on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Restoration of Independence, ETAN was awarded the Order of Timor-Leste in recognition of its contribution to national liberation.

Agio Pereira, Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and Government Spokesperson, on behalf of the Government and the people of Timor-Leste, extends his “deepest condolences to the family, friends, and all who shared his journey” and assures them that “his voice in defence of the Timorese people, as well as his warm friendship and unwavering support in the struggle, will never be forgotten.”

The Government of Timor-Leste pays tribute to the memory of John M. Miller and to his longstanding solidarity with the Timorese people. END

Presidency of the Council of Ministers

Spokesperson of the Government of Timor-Leste

Ninth Constitutional Government

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Press Release

Meeting of the Council of Ministers on April 30th, 2026

The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace in Dili and, in accordance with the proposal presented by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Forests, Marcos da Cruz, decided to authorise expenditure of approximately US$10.25 million for the construction contract for the Laueli irrigation project in the municipality of Ermera.

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At the proposal of the Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Francisco da Costa Monteiro, the Council of Ministers decided to authorise expenditure of US$41 million for the year 2026 to execute a Grant Agreement between the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources and TIMOR GAP, EP.

The expenditure stems from the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources’ budget allocation under Programme A17, which aims to “Develop Policies and Best Practices in the Industry to Ensure Maximum Participation of Timorese in the Sector’s Activities.”

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The Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources also gave a presentation on the memorandum of understanding with the Government of Brunei Darussalam to strengthen cooperation in the energy sector, which is due to be signed next week.

This agreement establishes a framework for cooperation between the two countries, focusing on knowledge sharing, technical capacity building, and the promotion of investment opportunities, particularly in the oil and gas sectors.

The planned cooperation includes training activities and the exchange of experiences, joint research, exploration, development, and production studies, as well as the exchange of best practices in energy policies. The agreement also allows for the development of other initiatives to be jointly defined by both parties.

Following the signing, the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources will ensure the implementation of the memorandum’s provisions, in coordination with the relevant authorities and in accordance with applicable national law.

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Lastly, the Vice Minister for Health Institutional Strengthening, José dos Reis Magno, delivered a presentation on the Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Brunei Darussalam on cooperation in the health sector, which is due to be signed next week.

The primary objective of this memorandum of understanding is to establish a framework for cooperation between the two countries, based on mutual respect and benefit, to strengthen health services and develop the sector.

Key areas of cooperation include health services, disease prevention and control, human resource development, and strengthening hospital infrastructure. Cooperation may include sharing information and expertise, exchanging specialists, providing technical training, organising seminars, and developing joint projects. END

9.00 am, Government Palace

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