The Secretary of State for Electricity, Water and Sanitation, Santos Noronha, took part in the 3rd Asia Pacific Energy Forum (APEF3), held in Bangkok, Thailand, on October 19th and 20th, 2023. The event’s theme was “Building a secure, sustainable and interconnected energy future for Asia and the Pacific”.
The APEF3 is a ministerial platform established to promote regional cooperation in energy security and the sustainable use of energy in Asia and the Pacific. This forum brings together the various member countries in search of solutions to energy security challenges and to promote sustainable development. 
During APEF3, the participants analysed the progress made in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 7 (Affordable and clean energy) in the Asia-Pacific region and in implementing the Ministerial Declaration on Regional Cooperation in the Energy Transition towards Sustainable and Resilient Societies in Asia and the Pacific, adopted at the Second Asia-Pacific Energy Forum in 2018.
Speaking at the event, the Secretary of State for Electricity, Water and Sanitation, Santos Noronha, emphasised that “Timor-Leste has made significant progress in its pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”. In this sense, he emphasised that “one of the national strategies to accelerate the implementation of the SDGs” involves “reducing the cost of energy, improving reliability and the transition to renewable energy sources”. He also emphasised that “this change is not only environmentally friendly but can also prove economically beneficial in the long term”.
Although “Timor-Leste still faces challenges due to the lack of human capacity, infrastructure and facilities to accelerate the renewable energy sector throughout the territory,” The Secretary of State pledged the 9th Constitutional Government’s commitment “to continue investing in renewable energy sources to diversify the energy sector, reduce dependence on heavy oils, electricity production costs and protect the environment”.
Santos Noronha also said that “pre-feasibility studies have already been carried out to explore the renewable energy potential of around 450 MW from wind, solar photovoltaic and hydroelectric energy, which have not yet been fully utilised” and that “the Government of Timor-Leste has launched 100 MW of Solar Panels and Energy Storage System as an Independent Energy Producer in 2023”.