Government of Timor-Leste

The Second Dili International Conference on the Law of the Sea began this Thursday, May 15^th, 2025, with the theme “Facing Challenges: Law of the Sea and Maritime Dispute Resolution”. The conference, organized by Timor-Leste's Maritime and Land Boundary Office (GFTM Portuguese acronyms), brings together senior officials and representatives from Pacific States, ASEAN, the g7+ group of fragile countries, the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP Portuguese acronyms) and other nations for two days, with the aim of promoting dialogue, knowledge sharing and cooperation in the peaceful resolution of maritime disputes.

At the opening session, held in the Noble Hall of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, the President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, José Ramos-Horta, stressed that “international law is the foundation on which we have built our independence” and recalled that “the [United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)] provides the legal framework for maritime governance, outlining the rights and responsibilities of nations in relation to the use of the world's oceans, the protection of the marine environment, the right of all states to pursue peaceful uses of the seas and for the resolution of maritime boundary disputes.” Referring to the importance of multilateralism and international cooperation, he also stressed that “the United Nations and international law are vital for small states”, as they operate “on the principle that all states, regardless of size or power, are equal”.

The opening session also featured a speech by the President of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), Judge Tomas Heidar. The conference then continued at the JL World Hotel with presentations by renowned experts and professionals in the field of the Law of the Sea, from governments, universities, international courts and law firms.

During the morning, the participants discussed the latest developments in maritime border dispute settlement in the first panel. The second panel addressed maritime dispute settlement in the Indo-Pacific region.

The third panel, dedicated to “Lessons Learned from the Timor Sea Conciliation”, was marked by the intervention of the Minister for the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Agio Pereira, who represented Timor-Leste in the Compulsory Conciliation process with Australia. He presented an in-depth analysis of the process that led to the signing of the Maritime Boundary Treaty in March 2018 at the United Nations headquarters in New York.

Minister Agio Pereira described “Timor-Leste's struggle with Australia to secure maritime boundaries” as “a David versus Goliath battle between a small nation and a large one, in a context of competing interests over resources and a complex political history”, adding that “it was only through the bold initiative of launching the first compulsory conciliation process under UNCLOS that we were finally able to achieve the delimitation of our boundaries”.

The Minister also said that “compulsory conciliation was designed precisely for situations like the one Timor-Leste was facing”, “with the aim of facilitating the resolution of the dispute” and “bringing the parties closer to a negotiated solution”. He also recalled that “on April 11^th, 2016, Timor-Leste became the first state to initiate a compulsory conciliation process” and that “the treaty was agreed in October [2017], in The Hague, and finally signed on March 6^th [2018], in New York, at the United Nations headquarters, in the presence of the UN Secretary-General”.

Recalling the main moments of the conciliation process, Agio Pereira stressed the importance of leadership and national unity, saying that “Timor-Leste has shown great clarity and unity of purpose. We set ourselves the goal of delimiting our permanent maritime borders, based on international law. We have not sought favors or wavered in the face of challenges. We have remained steadfast in this goal.” He also highlighted the decisive role of the Chief Negotiator, saying that Xanana Gusmão “is a strong fighter”. His experience and wisdom were invaluable assets” and ‘allowed our team to work cohesively towards a common goal’.

Referring to the Conciliation Commission, he stressed that it “took the time to inform itself and understand our situation” and that the “confidence-building measures” it proposed “were decisive in fostering that confidence”.

The Minister also highlighted the role of the Maritime Boundary Office, which “acted as a central focal point for the state's efforts and also our team of excellent international legal advisors”. He concluded by stressing “the privilege of having the broad support of all political parties, Timorese civil society, and supporters in Australia, Portugal and other countries. Everyone was united with us, allowing us to move forward with difficult negotiations.”

The conference continues tomorrow with a keynote speech by the Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, and panels dedicated to the management of disputed maritime areas and the promotion of ocean governance, the impacts of climate change and sea level rise on maritime delimitation, the advisory opinions of ITLOS and the International Court of Justice on climate change, and the new High Seas Treaty and its implications for global governance. The closing session will feature an intervention by Elizabeth Exposto, Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister, Executive Director of the GFTM and Timor-Leste's co-agent in the Timor Sea Conciliation.

The Second International Conference in Dili also marks the 10th anniversary of the creation of the Maritime and Land Border Office.