Timor-Leste discussed regional energy security and cooperation during its first ministerial meeting as an ASEAN member.
Mr. Santos Noronha, Secretary of State for Electricity, Water and Sanitation of Timor-Leste, represented the country at the 44th ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM), held on 7–8 October 2026 in Manila, Philippines. The meeting addressed energy security, regional connectivity and the energy transition under the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation 2026–2030 (APAEC).
During his address, Mr. Noronha thanked ASEAN Member States, the ASEAN Secretariat and the ASEAN Centre for Energy for supporting Timor-Leste’s integration into regional energy cooperation. He also welcomed the recent admission of Eletricidade de Timor-Leste (EDTL, EP) into the Heads of ASEAN Power Utilities/Authorities (HAPUA) during its 42nd Council Meeting in Laos in September 2026.
Timor-Leste also received support for its accession to three regional energy cooperation instruments: the ASEAN Petroleum Safety Agreement (APSA), the Memorandum of Understanding on the ASEAN Power Grid (APG) and the Memorandum of Understanding on the Trans-ASEAN Gas Pipeline (TAGP). Mr. Noronha confirmed the country’s commitment to completing the accession process within 2026, subject to the necessary internal procedures.
The meeting represented Timor-Leste’s first participation in AMEM as ASEAN’s 11th Member State. The delegation included Mr. Gualdino da Carmo, President of the National Petroleum Authority; Ms. Maria Arlinda, Director-General for Electricity, Water and Sanitation; and Mr. Marito Ferreira, Chairman of the Board of Directors of EDTL, EP. The discussions in Manila also covered renewable energy, energy investment and the ASEAN Power Grid, alongside the ASEAN Energy Business Forum 2026.
Source: Government of Timor-Leste
