Meeting of the Council of Ministers on June 25th 2025
Presidency of the Council of Ministers
Spokesperson of the Government of Timor-Leste
Ninth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Meeting of the Council of Ministers on June 25th 2025
The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace in Dili and approved the draft Decree-Law presented by the Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, on the Legal Framework for International Marine Scientific Research.
The purpose of this legal regime is to regulate the authorization procedure for carrying out marine scientific research activities by foreign States or international organizations in national maritime space, in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), as well as international recommendations and best practices, while safeguarding Timor-Leste's sovereign rights and jurisdiction.
This law aims to promote knowledge about the oceans, strengthen international cooperation and ensure that scientific research is carried out in line with the country's strategic interests. The measure reflects Timor-Leste's commitment to the principles enshrined in the UNCLOS, the BBNJ Agreement on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, the Government Program and the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda, namely SDG 14.
With this draft Decree-Law, the Government also intends to stimulate the development of new areas of marine scientific research, promote the training of Timorese staff, especially young researchers, and intensify the exchange of knowledge with international partners. Due to its size and wealth of biodiversity, Timor-Leste's maritime space represents a natural laboratory of great scientific value worldwide.
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The Council of Ministers has approved, in principle, the strategic orientation of the Blue Economy Policy and Action Plan: Promoting a Resilient and Sustainable Economy of the Sea in Timor-Leste (2025-2030), presented by the Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão. The document is currently being finalized and will be subject to a public consultation process involving relevant institutions, communities and civil society. Once this process has been finalized, the Policy and Action Plan will again be submitted for formal consideration and approval by the Council of Ministers.
The initiative proposes a paradigm shift in the country's economic development model, based on an integrated approach aimed at ensuring the sustainable use of marine resources, improving the living conditions of coastal populations and protecting ecosystems. The central objectives include job creation, poverty reduction and mitigating the impacts of climate changes.
Structured around three fundamental pillars - social, economic and environmental - the Policy presents concrete measures to strengthen ocean governance, value marine natural capital and promote sustainable activities related to the sea.
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This was followed by an analysis of the presentation by the Vice-Minister for ASEAN Affairs, Milena Maria da Costa Rangel, on Timor-Leste's progress in the accession to the ASEAN services agreements, namely the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Services (AFAS) and the ASEAN Trade in Services Agreement (ATISA).
During the 110th meeting of the Coordinating Committee for Services (CCS), held in June 2025 in Laos, ASEAN assessed Timor-Leste's Schedule of Commitments (SoC) and identified the need to adjust 20 sub-sectors in Mode 3 (local presence) of Market Access to fulfil the minimum criteria of AFAS. Currently, Timor-Leste already fulfils 306 of the 326 sub-sectors required to join these agreements.
The Council of Ministers tasked the Vice Minister for ASEAN Affairs, in liaison with the relevant ministries, to lead the negotiations on the technical adjustments to the Framework of Commitments, as a fundamental step in the process of full membership of the ASEAN regional services agreements by 2036, in line with the timetable established for the CLM (Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar) countries. END
