TL Gov Web9 Jan 2026 10:47
Translation from the Portuguese version (English not available yet)
Friday, January 9, 2026, 12:00 PM
The Australian envoy for the Greater Sunrise Project, Katrina Cooper, accompanied by representatives from the Australian Embassy and Government, is in Timor-Leste on a working visit aimed at monitoring and furthering bilateral discussions on the project's development.
On January 8, 2026, Katrina Cooper met at the Government Palace with the Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, and with the Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and Timor-Leste's interlocutor in the discussions on Greater Sunrise, Agio Pereira. The meetings allowed for an exchange of views on the state of the discussions and ongoing cooperation, as well as a reaffirmation of the shared commitment to advancing the project through constructive dialogue, mutual respect, and partnership, with a view to maximizing its benefits.
These meetings generally addressed bilateral cooperation and monitoring the project's development, in accordance with the Treaty between Australia and the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste establishing maritime boundaries in the Timor Sea, signed in 2018.
During the meetings, the strategic relevance of the project for national development was mentioned, including the importance of implementing the pipeline connection option to Timor-Leste. The Australian envoy reiterated her Government's commitment to working closely with the Government of Timor-Leste, the project consortium partners and other relevant parties to ensure the continuity of discussions.
During the visit, Katrina Cooper was also received by the President of the Republic, José Ramos-Horta, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Bendito dos Santos Freitas, and the Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Francisco da Costa Monteiro.
It is worth recalling that Katrina Cooper previously served as Australia's co-agent in the Timor Sea Settlement process, which led to the signing of the Maritime Boundaries Treaty between the two countries, and participated as a speaker at the Second International Conference on the Law of the Sea in Dili last May.
The Greater Sunrise gas fields are located approximately 140 kilometers south of the coast of Timor-Leste. The project development consortium is composed of TIMOR GAP, with a 56.6% stake, Woodside, with 33.44%, and Osaka Gas Australia, with 10%.
An independent conceptual study on the development of Greater Sunrise, conducted by the British company Wood between April and November 2024, confirmed the viability of the project's development option in Timor-Leste and its potential contribution to the national economy.
https://timor-leste.gov.tl/?p=46699&n=1&lang=pt