Minister Miguel Manetelu outlined infrastructure priorities and explored digital cooperation with Korea and Estonia.
Timor-Leste’s Minister of Transport and Communications, Miguel Marques Gonçalves Manetelu, presented the country’s digital transformation priorities at the Global AI & Digital Summit 2026 in Seoul, Republic of Korea, from 19 to 22 October. He called for greater international cooperation to help developing countries adopt artificial intelligence (AI) responsibly and held discussions with South Korean and Estonian officials on digital government, infrastructure and cybersecurity.
Organised by the World Bank Group in partnership with the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Economy and Finance and Ministry of Science and ICT, the summit examined the application of AI and digital technologies to job creation, productivity and public services. Participants also discussed connectivity, digital public infrastructure, AI readiness and safeguards for responsible technology use.
Minister Manetelu outlined Timor-Leste’s investments in a submarine fibre-optic cable and a national connectivity project designed to extend fibre-optic networks to remote areas.
“We highlighted these two projects because telecommunications and digital infrastructure are essential foundations for the development of artificial intelligence. Without adequate infrastructure, it is difficult to develop and use AI effectively,” he said, adding that the projects would support future AI adoption in Timor-Leste.
He also outlined plans for a National Data Centre and dedicated cybersecurity facilities. The Government was preparing a feasibility study for the centre to address digitalisation requirements, including AI, the Internet of Things and blockchain, while supporting system recovery and operational continuity.
The Minister called for international support to develop technical, institutional and legal capacities for responsible AI use. He highlighted risks involving privacy, personal reputation and misinformation, and emphasised digital literacy and appropriate legal frameworks. The Ministry of Transport and Communications and TIC TIMOR, I.P., were implementing digital literacy initiatives to promote the safe use of digital technologies.
On the summit’s sidelines, Minister Manetelu met the Republic of Korea’s Second Vice-Minister of Science and ICT, Ryu Je-myung, alongside representatives from Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Mongolia. Discussions covered national digitalisation progress and potential knowledge-sharing and technical training opportunities, particularly in cybersecurity and AI.
On 21 October, he also met Priit Turk, Director-General of Estonia’s Department of Digital and Cyber Diplomacy, to discuss digital transformation, e-government and cybersecurity. Building on contacts established during Singapore International Cyber Week, both sides agreed to continue technical discussions to identify potential areas of cooperation before considering formal instruments.
Source: Government of Timor-Leste Web Portal
