AGP Executive Report

Energy & Industry: Timor-Leste is actively courting Indian investment in an LNG plant, oil refining and education, with talks tied to the Greater Sunrise gas field and hopes for stronger diplomatic momentum after embassy openings in New Delhi and Dili. Offshore Survey Contract: Dutch firm Fugro has won a survey programme for Greater Sunrise and Bayu Undan, using geophysical, seismic and autonomous underwater vehicle work in deep waters to support pipeline routing, design and geohazard checks. Digital Connectivity: Indonesia’s TelkomGroup, Nongsa Digital Park and BW Digital marked the landing of the Nongsa Changi Cable at Batam, boosting the Indonesia–Singapore digital corridor that could matter for regional tech and services. Cybercrime Warning: A UNODC report says Asia-Pacific scam losses hit $88.3bn–$114.1bn in 2025, with syndicates using AI and “corporate-style” operations to stay ahead of crackdowns. Regional Cooperation: Japan pledged tighter ASEAN defense and economic-security cooperation, including critical minerals supply chains and AI, as ASEAN’s newest member East Timor is pulled into the agenda. STEM & Schools: A separate education update highlights efforts to make classrooms more internet-ready, aiming to improve ICT integration in teaching and learning.

Energy & Investment: Timor-Leste is courting Indian investment in LNG, oil refining and education, with plans tied to the Greater Sunrise gas field and hopes for stronger diplomatic momentum after India opened missions in Dili and New Delhi. Offshore Tech: Dutch firm Fugro has won a contract for offshore site surveys supporting Greater Sunrise and Bayu Undan, using geophysical, seismic and autonomous underwater vehicle work in deep waters to guide pipeline routing and safety planning. Food Security & Fisheries: Vietnam and Timor-Leste are expanding cooperation to boost food security, fisheries, rural development and workforce training, noting Timor-Leste meets only about 40% of domestic food demand. Regional Security & AI: Japan pledged closer ASEAN cooperation on defending territories and territorial waters, while also pushing economic security, critical minerals supply chains, AI support and disaster response—ASEAN now includes Timor-Leste. Cybercrime Warning: A UN report says Asia-Pacific scam losses hit at least $88bn in 2025, with syndicates using AI and “corporate-style” operations to stay ahead of crackdowns.

Energy Diplomacy: Timor-Leste is inviting India to invest in LNG, oil refining, and education as ties deepen, with plans tied to the Greater Sunrise gas field. Offshore Survey Contract: Fugro has won work to run deepwater geophysical, seismic, and autonomous underwater vehicle surveys for Greater Sunrise and Bayu Undan, supporting pipeline routing and engineering design. Food & Fisheries Cooperation: Vietnam and Timor-Leste are expanding collaboration on food security, fisheries, rural development, and skills training, aiming to lift Timor-Leste’s low domestic food coverage. ASEAN Humanitarian Push: Timor-Leste’s Prak Sokhonn urged ASEAN support for the safe return of displaced civilians after a border ceasefire, highlighting schooling and care gaps. Cybercrime Warning: A UN report says Asia-Pacific scam losses hit at least $88bn in 2025, with syndicates using AI and “corporate-style” operations to stay ahead of enforcement. Regional Security Tech: Japan pledged closer ASEAN cooperation on maritime security and emerging technologies, including AI and disaster response, as China concerns persist.

Energy Diplomacy: Timor-Leste is courting India for LNG, oil refining, and pipeline-linked investment tied to the Greater Sunrise gas field, with talks framed around easier cooperation after new diplomatic missions in New Delhi and Dili. Offshore Tech & Energy Planning: Fugro won a Timor-Leste offshore survey contract for Greater Sunrise and Bayu Undan, using geophysical, seismic, and autonomous underwater vehicle surveys (including deepwater over 3,000m) to support pipeline routing, design, and geohazard checks. Food Security Cooperation: Vietnam and Timor-Leste agreed to deepen work on food security, fisheries, rural development, and training, noting Timor-Leste meets only about 40% of domestic food demand. Cybercrime Warning: A UN report says Asia-Pacific scam losses hit $88.3bn–$114.1bn in 2025, driven by transnational syndicates using AI and “corporate-style” operations to evade enforcement. AI at Work (Regional Context): A Microsoft report highlights how Singapore workers are rapidly adopting AI tools to produce work beyond what they could do a year ago.

Cybercrime Alert: UNODC says Asia-Pacific scam losses hit $88.3bn–$114.1bn in 2025, with syndicates “corporate-franchising” operations and increasingly using AI to target victims. Digital Infrastructure: TelkomGroup, BW Digital and Nongsa Digital Park marked the landing of the Nongsa Changi Cable (NCC) in Batam, boosting Indonesia–Singapore connectivity. Timor-Leste Energy Survey: Fugro won a contract for offshore site characterization for Greater Sunrise and Bayu Undan, using geophysical, seismic and AUV surveys in deepwater (>3,000m) with real-time remote support. Food Security Cooperation: Vietnam and Timor-Leste discussed deeper ties in food security, fisheries, rural development and training; Timor-Leste produces about 40% of its domestic food demand. STEM Learning Gap: A feature on Timor-Leste’s science education argues labs are still missing for hands-on learning, shaping how students experience science. Identity Tech Watch: PeerPass explores a privacy-preserving, community-attested digital identity model for people without official proof of identity.

Offshore Energy Tech: Dutch firm Fugro has won a contract for offshore site characterization surveys supporting Timor-Leste’s Greater Sunrise and Bayu Undan developments, using geophysical, seismic, and autonomous underwater vehicle work in deepwater areas over 3,000m to guide pipeline routing, engineering design, and geohazard checks. Food Security & Skills: Vietnam and Timor-Leste met in Dili to expand cooperation on food security, fisheries, rural development, and human resources training, with Timor-Leste producing about 40% of its domestic food demand. Cybercrime Warning: A UNODC report says Asia-Pacific scam losses hit at least $88bn in 2025, driven by organized cyberfraud networks that adapt via relocation, corruption, and increasingly AI-powered targeting. Digital Learning Push (Regional): A separate education update highlights how schools can move from office-only internet to classroom connectivity, using roaming features to keep students connected across campuses.

Offshore Energy Survey: Dutch firm Fugro has won a contract to run deepwater site-characterisation surveys for Timor-Leste’s Greater Sunrise and Bayu Undan pipeline plans, using geophysical, seismic and AUV work in waters over 3,000m, with mobilisation in Q3 2026 and a roughly three-month campaign starting Q4. Digital Learning Boost: Toledo City’s 67 public schools are now fully internet-connected after a division-wide network rollout, aiming to fix the gap between office connectivity and classroom ICT use. Science Education Focus: A new piece highlights how Timor-Leste’s push toward better science learning is tied to access to practical lab-style experiences, not just theory. Regional Tech & Skills: A report on workforce training shows how Timor-Leste seasonal workers are being integrated into a structured training approach abroad, including Tetum delivery of key procedures. CPLP Cooperation: CPLP marks 30 years and points to strengthening cooperation, including Timor-Leste’s role since joining in 2002. STEM Health Research: A vitamin B3 (nicotinamide) real-world study links the supplement to a lower risk of glaucoma in people with elevated eye pressure.

Offshore Energy Tech: Fugro won a contract for deepwater site characterization supporting Timor-Leste’s Greater Sunrise and Bayu Undan gas developments, using geophysical, seismic, and autonomous underwater vehicle surveys in waters over 3,000 meters, with planning starting Q3 2026 and offshore work in Q4. STEM & Schools: Toledo City says all 67 public schools are now internet-ready after a division-wide network upgrade, aiming to fix the gap between office connectivity and classroom access. Science Education: A new look at Timor-Leste’s science teaching argues labs are still missing for many learners, limiting hands-on learning and curiosity. Digital Skills & Work: Malaysia’s higher-education ministry floated co-funded scholarships with Indonesia, using a model already used with Timor-Leste via Education Malaysia Global Services. Ocean & Food Data: A fisheries-focused report highlights how Timor-Leste fishers have logged trips in a digital system for years, producing data meant to shift policy from “how much is caught” to “what it means for nutrition.” Regional Energy Shock: Coverage on the Hormuz Strait disruption warns Pacific island economies are hit hard by supply-chain and energy-market shocks—an angle that matters for East Timor’s import-dependent energy planning.

Education Connectivity: Toledo’s Department of Education says all 67 public schools are now fully internet-ready after a division-wide ICT network upgrade finished in July 2026, aiming to fix the gap where classrooms still lacked connectivity even when offices were online. Offshore Energy Tech: Fugro won a contract to run deepwater site characterization surveys off Timor-Leste for Greater Sunrise and Bayu Undan, using geophysical, seismic, and autonomous underwater vehicle work to support pipeline routing, engineering design, and geohazard checks. Science for Learning: A new piece looks at why Timor-Leste’s science education has long relied on theory instead of labs, and what hands-on facilities could change for students and teachers. Regional Cooperation: CPLP marks 30 years and highlights Timor-Leste’s role in expanding the Portuguese-speaking community’s cooperation agenda. STEM Mobility: Malaysia proposes co-funded scholarships with Indonesia using a model that already supports Timor-Leste, aiming to deepen higher-education links across the region.

Offshore Energy Tech: Fugro won a contract for offshore site characterization supporting Timor-Leste’s Greater Sunrise and Bayu Undan gas developments, using geophysical, seismic, and autonomous underwater vehicle surveys in deep waters over 3,000 meters; mobilization and planning start Q3 2026, with offshore work in Q4 for about three months, and data processed in Kuala Lumpur and Perth. Science Education: A new piece looks at why Timor-Leste’s push to expand science learning matters, highlighting how lab access changes teaching from theory-only to hands-on experiments. Regional Cooperation (CPLP): CPLP marked its 30th anniversary, with Timor-Leste noted as a member since 2002, as leaders emphasized strengthening cooperation to tackle global challenges. Higher Education Links: Malaysia floated co-funded scholarships with Indonesia, citing a similar mechanism already used with Timor-Leste via Education Malaysia Global Services.

Offshore Energy Tech: Fugro won a contract to run deepwater site characterization surveys for Timor-Leste’s Greater Sunrise and Bayu Undan gas developments, using geophysical, seismic and autonomous underwater vehicle work in waters over 3,000 meters, with data processed in Kuala Lumpur and Perth to support pipeline routing, engineering and geohazard checks. Petroleum Regulation: Timor-Leste’s ANP approved Finder Energy’s field development plan for the Kuda Tasi and Jahal Project, clearing the way toward final investment decisions after technical evaluation, including redevelopment of the Petrojarl I FPSO and subsea production wells. Science Education: A look at why Timor-Leste’s limited lab access has shaped how science is taught—mostly theory—plus what changes when students can actually test and observe. Workforce Skills: Family Fresh Farms says it has brought in seasonal workers from Timor-Leste and redesigned training with videos and visual materials in Tetum to keep biosecurity and food-safety learning practical. Bilateral Research & Innovation: Indonesia’s Megawati Soekarnoputri urged deeper Timor-Leste cooperation on climate action and research/innovation, including BRIN-linked work on El Nino and drought risks. Marine Data for Policy: A fisheries-focused report highlights Timor-Leste small-scale fishing trip logging that feeds better management decisions.

Offshore Energy Tech: Fugro has won a contract to run deepwater site characterization surveys for Timor-Leste’s Greater Sunrise and Bayu Undan gas developments, using geophysical, seismic, and autonomous underwater vehicle work in waters over 3,000 meters to support pipeline routing, engineering design, and geohazard checks. Project Timeline: Mobilization and planning are set for Q3 2026, with offshore operations starting in Q4 and lasting about three months, with data processed through Fugro centers in Kuala Lumpur and Perth. Oil & Gas Regulation: Separately, Timor-Leste’s Autoridade Nacional do Petróleo approved Finder Energy’s field development plan for the Kuda Tasi and Jahal Project, clearing the way toward a final investment decision after FEED, environmental studies, and engineering work. Education & Skills: Indonesia’s Megawati Soekarnoputri urged climate and maritime research cooperation with Timor-Leste, including BRIN-linked programs and joint studies involving Timor-Leste institutions.

Offshore Energy Tech: Fugro won a contract for deepwater site characterization surveys off Timor-Leste supporting the Greater Sunrise and Bayu Undan gas developments, using geophysical, seismic, and autonomous underwater vehicle work in waters over 3,000 meters, with data processed in Kuala Lumpur and Perth and a three-month offshore campaign planned for Q4 2026. Oil & Gas Regulation: Timor-Leste’s Autoridade Nacional do Petróleo approved Finder Energy’s field development plan for the Kuda Tasi and Jahal Project, clearing the way toward final investment decision after redevelopment of the Petrojarl I FPSO, subsea wells, and related infrastructure. Minerals & Industry: Indonesia and Switzerland signed an MoU on minerals and metals cooperation to boost downstream processing and investment, with Swiss support framed around technology, innovation, financing, and logistics. STEM & Learning: A new piece looks at how science education in Timor-Leste is changing as laboratories become more available, shifting learning from theory-only to hands-on experimentation. Regional Energy Risk: ASEAN’s energy vulnerability is examined through the lens of Strait of Hormuz disruption and its knock-on effects for Southeast Asia’s fuel supply and costs.

Marine Science Loss: Conservation groups mourn Dr. Kent Carpenter, whose marine biodiversity research helped shape conservation efforts in the Philippines and beyond, after he was fatally shot in Sibulan, Negros Oriental. Science Education: A look at why Timor-Leste’s limited lab access has long left science teaching stuck in theory, and how hands-on labs can build curiosity and problem-solving. Timor-Leste Energy Update: Timor-Leste’s petroleum regulator ANP approved Finder Energy’s field development plan for the Kuda Tasi-Jahal project, clearing the way toward final investment decisions. Fisheries Data for Nutrition: A commentary highlights Timor-Leste’s small-scale fishing trip logging system, arguing fisheries policy should track what people actually eat, not just catch volumes. Regional Climate Research: Indonesia’s Megawati urges deeper climate and maritime cooperation with Timor-Leste, including joint work via BRIN and research on nationalism. Digital Inclusion for Resilience: UNDP flags that Pacific resilience needs “invisible” digital infrastructure, linking connectivity to faster climate disaster response. Hands Off Asia Conference: Activists and scholars met in Colombo to demand sovereignty and resist foreign military and economic pressure, with Timor-Leste among participating countries.

Oil & Gas Regulation: Timor-Leste’s petroleum regulator ANP approved Finder Energy’s field development plan for the Kuda Tasi and Jahal offshore project, clearing the way toward a final investment decision after redevelopment of the Petrojarl I FPSO, three subsea production wells, and related infrastructure. AI Readiness Gap in ASEAN: An ILO report flags Cambodia and Timor-Leste among the lower-readiness countries for generative AI, pointing to weaker digital infrastructure and institutional capacity, even as millions of workers across ASEAN already face AI-exposed roles. Climate & Research Cooperation: Indonesia’s Megawati Soekarnoputri urged deeper Timor-Leste ties through climate action, maritime collaboration, and joint research/innovation with BRIN, including work on El Niño and drought risks. Digital Inclusion for the Pacific: UNDP highlights how the Pacific’s blue economy needs stronger digital infrastructure for resilience and transparency, tying digital access to disaster recovery for small-scale fishers and farmers. Education & Tech Access: Malaysia proposed co-funded scholarships with Indonesia using the EMGS model also used with Timor-Leste, aiming to expand higher-education access across both countries. STEM & Public Safety: Cambodia-Japan demining know-how sharing continues, with training expanding to third countries—relevant to regional safety tech and humanitarian engineering.

Oil & Gas Regulation: Timor-Leste’s petroleum regulator ANP has approved Finder Energy’s field development plan for the Kuda Tasi and Jahal (KTJ) offshore project, clearing the way toward a final investment decision after technical and engineering work. The phased plan includes redeploying the Petrojarl I FPSO, drilling three subsea production wells, and installing associated subsea infrastructure designed for future tie-backs. Regional Science & Innovation: Indonesia’s Megawati Soekarnoputri met Timor-Leste PM Xanana Gusmao in Dili and urged joint climate and maritime cooperation, including research and innovation links through BRIN, plus a comparative study on nationalism involving Indonesian institutions. AI Readiness in ASEAN: An ILO report flags Timor-Leste among ASEAN countries with relatively low readiness for generative AI, citing gaps in digital infrastructure and institutional capacity, even as exposure to AI-linked work is rising across the region. Digital Economy for Pacific Resilience: UNDP highlights how Pacific nations—including Timor-Leste—need stronger digital infrastructure to make fisheries and climate adaptation efforts more resilient and inclusive, not just build ports and seawalls. Education & Mobility: Malaysia is proposing co-funded scholarships with Indonesia using the same EMGS-style mechanism already used with Timor-Leste, aiming to expand higher-education access across borders.