Dili, June 25, 2025
The Council of Ministers held a meeting at the Government Palace in Dili and approved a draft Decree-Law presented by the Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, concerning the legal regime for International Marine Scientific Research.
This legal regime aims to regulate the authorization procedures for conducting marine scientific research activities by foreign States or international organizations within Timor-Leste’s maritime space, in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), as well as good international practices and recommendations, in order to safeguard the sovereignty and jurisdiction rights of Timor-Leste.
This legal instrument seeks to promote ocean knowledge, strengthen international cooperation, and ensure that scientific research is conducted in a way that aligns with the nation’s strategic interests. The measure demonstrates Timor-Leste’s commitment to the principles enshrined in UNCLOS, the BBNJ Agreement on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, the Government Program, and the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly SDG 14.
Through this Decree-Law project, the Government also aims to foster the development of new areas in marine scientific research, support the training of Timorese personnel — especially young researchers — and strengthen knowledge exchange with international partners. Timor-Leste’s maritime space, due to its vastness and biodiversity richness, serves as a natural laboratory of great scientific value at the global level.
The Council of Ministers also approved, in principle, the strategic orientation of the Blue Economy Policy and Action Plan: Promotion of a Resilient and Sustainable Maritime Economy in Timor-Leste (2025–2030), presented by Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão. The document is currently being finalized and will undergo a public consultation process involving relevant institutions, communities, and civil society. Once this process is completed, the Policy and Action Plan will be resubmitted for formal review and approval by the Council of Ministers.
This initiative proposes a paradigm shift in the country’s economic development model, based on an integrated approach that aims to ensure the sustainable use of marine resources, improve the living conditions of coastal populations, and protect ecosystems. The main goals are job creation, poverty reduction, and mitigation of climate change impacts.
The Policy is structured around three fundamental pillars — social, economic, and environmental — and sets out concrete measures to strengthen ocean governance, enhance the value of marine natural capital, and promote sustainable marine-related activities.
Also presented was an analysis by the Vice Minister for ASEAN Affairs, Milena Maria da Costa Rangel, regarding Timor-Leste’s progress in the process of accession to ASEAN service agreements, particularly the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Services (AFAS) and the ASEAN Trade in Services Agreement (ATISA).
During the 110th Meeting of the Coordinating Committee on Services (CCS), held in June 2025 in Laos, ASEAN conducted an evaluation of Timor-Leste’s Schedule of Commitments (SoC), identifying the need to adjust 20 subsectors in Mode 3 (commercial presence) of market access in order to meet the minimum AFAS criteria. So far, Timor-Leste has complied with 306 out of the 326 required subsectors for accession to these agreements.
The Council of Ministers mandated the Vice Minister for ASEAN Affairs to lead, together with relevant ministries, the technical negotiations on adjustments to the Schedule of Commitments — a fundamental step in Timor-Leste’s full accession to ASEAN’s regional services agreements by 2036, according to the established roadmap for CLM countries (Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar).
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