Australia’s envoy to the Greater Sunrise Project, Katrina Cooper, accompanied by representatives from the Australian Embassy and the Government, is in Timor-Leste on a working visit to follow up on and further bilateral discussions on the project’s development. 
On January 8th, 2026, Katrina Cooper met at the Government Palace with Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão and with Agio Pereira, Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and Timor-Leste’s interlocutor in the Greater Sunrise discussions. The meetings provided an opportunity to exchange views on the status of ongoing discussions and cooperation, and to reaffirm the shared commitment to advancing the project through constructive dialogue, mutual respect, and partnership, with a view to maximising its benefits. 
These meetings generally addressed bilateral cooperation and the monitoring of the project’s development, in accordance with the Treaty between Australia and Timor-Leste establishing maritime boundaries in the Timor Sea, signed in 2018. 
During the meetings, the strategic importance of the project for national development was emphasised, including the need to implement the option of connecting Timor-Leste via pipeline. The Australian envoy reiterated her government’s commitment to working closely with the Government of Timor-Leste, the project consortium partners, and other relevant parties to ensure that discussions continue. 
During her visit, Katrina Cooper was also welcomed by the President of the Republic, José Ramos-Horta; the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Bendito dos Santos Freitas; and the Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Francisco da Costa Monteiro. 
Katrina Cooper previously served as Australia’s co-agent in the Timor Sea Conciliation proceedings, which led to the signing of the Maritime Boundary Treaty between the two countries, and also spoke at the Second Dili International Conference on the Law of the Sea in May last year.
The Greater Sunrise gas fields are located approximately 140 kilometres south of the coast of Timor-Leste. The project development consortium comprises TIMOR GAP (56.6%), Woodside (33.44%), and Osaka Gas Australia (10%).
An independent conceptual study on the development of Greater Sunrise, conducted by the British company Wood between April and November 2024, confirmed the feasibility of the development option for the project in Timor-Leste and its potential contribution to the national economy.
The development of Greater Sunrise, including the pipeline connection to the south coast of Timor-Leste, is part of the national priorities set by the 9th Government to support the country’s economic growth and development. 