DILI, 15 May 2025 (TATOLI) – The President of the Republic, Jose Ramos Horta bestowed the Order of Timor-Leste upon fifteen distinguished foreign nationals who made exceptional contributions to the establishment of Timor-Leste’s maritime borders with Australia in the Timor Sea. The Official Ceremony was held at the Nobre Palace.
In a formal decree (Presidential Decree No. 39/2025) signed on May 9, 2025, at the Nicolau Lobato Presidential Palace, President Horta recognized the invaluable service of legal experts, diplomats, and technical professionals who supported Timor-Leste during the historic United Nations Mandatory Conciliation process initiated in April 2016.
Horta bestowed the Collar Degree of the Order of Timor-Leste to three eminent legal scholars who served as Senior Advisers on the Law of the Sea:
- Elihu Lauterpacht (British national) – posthumously
- Alan Vaughan Lowe (British national)
- Michael Charles Wood (British national)
He also bestowed the Medal of the Order of Timor-Leste to twelve professionals for their exceptional contributions:
- Peter Taksoe-Jensen (Danish) – President of the Conciliation Commission
- Christian Rüdiger Wolfrum (German) – Commissioner appointed by Timor-Leste
- Abdul Gadire Koroma (Sierra Leonean) – Commissioner appointed by Timor-Leste
- Rosalie Balkin (Australian) – Commissioner appointed by Australia
- Donald Malcolm Macrae (Canadian/New Zealand) – Commissioner appointed by Australia
- Garth Lindgren Schofield (American) – Senior official, Permanent Court of Arbitration
- Martin Anstice Earlston Doe (Canadian/Spanish/American) – Senior officer, Permanent Court of Arbitration
- Janet Legrand (British) – Former partner and Chairman of DLA Piper
- Stephen Kenneth Kemp Webb (Australian) – Director of Energy Asia-Pacific, DLA Piper
- Gitanjali Bajaj (Australian) – Co-Head of International Arbitration, DLA Piper
- Robin William Cleverly (British) – Technical Consultant specializing in Geology
- Eran Nathan Sthoeger (Israeli/American) – Consultant in Public International Law
“The establishment of our permanent maritime boundaries represents a crucial milestone in our nation’s sovereignty,” said Horta. “These individuals demonstrated unwavering commitment to international law and justice, helping our young nation secure its rightful maritime territory and resources.”
The Treaty between Timor-Leste and Australia establishing permanent maritime boundaries was signed in March 2018 and entered into force in August 2019, marking a significant triumph in Timor-Leste’s journey since restoring independence on May 20, 2002.
This historic achievement secures Timor-Leste’s sovereign rights over its maritime resources and represents the culmination of years of diplomatic, legal, and technical efforts. The Maritime Boundary Treaty ensures that Timor-Leste’s natural resources will benefit current and future generations of Timorese citizens.
The Order of Timor-Leste is the highest honor that can be bestowed by the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste. It was established to recognize exceptional contributions to the nation, its people, and humanity.
This act of acknowledgment by the President stands as a symbol of deep appreciation for each honoree’s unwavering dedication and contribution to Timor-Leste.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
