DILI, 03 September 2025 (TATOLI) – On September 2, 2025, the Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Agio Pereira, accompanied by the Director-General of the National Strategic Intelligence Service, Longuinhos Monteiro, met with a delegation from the Australian Embassy in Timor-Leste to discuss advancing bilateral cooperation in the field of cybersecurity.
The Australian delegation included Fabia Shah, Counselor for Governance and Economy, along with First Secretaries Martin Hirst and Monica Kovats.
This meeting followed earlier discussions with Brendan Dowling, Australian Ambassador for Cyber Affairs and Critical Technology, and Caitlin Wilson, Australian Ambassador to Timor-Leste. Both parties had previously emphasized the importance of enhancing Timor-Leste’s digital resilience in response to emerging threats.
During the meeting, the two governments reviewed priority areas for collaboration, including:
- Conducting a comprehensive analysis of cybersecurity threats and regulatory gaps
- Providing on-the-ground technical support
- Supplying equipment and training programs
- Strengthening mechanisms for information and intelligence sharing
They also discussed the establishment of an inter-ministerial working group in Timor-Leste, in coordination with Australian authorities, to operationalize cooperation in this domain.
Australian officials reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Timor-Leste, particularly through the Southeast Asia and Pacific Cyber Cooperation Program. They also expressed interest in collaborating on the security of the new submarine cable link, which is expected to enhance national connectivity. The partnership includes developing a joint roadmap to protect critical infrastructure and mitigate cyber risks.
Cybersecurity refers to the practice of protecting systems, networks, and programs from digital attacks. These attacks often aim to access, alter, or destroy sensitive information; extort money through ransomware; or disrupt normal business operations.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Rafael Ximenes de A. Belo
