DILI, 08 November 2025 (TATOLI) – Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão visited the research vessel OceanXplorer, docked at the Port of Tibar in the municipality of Liquiçá, on Saturday, November 8. The visit marked the beginning of the international scientific mission “OceanX Timor-Leste 2025: Exploring the Edge – The Timor Passage,” which will take place from November 8 to 22 along the north coast of Timor-Leste and in the Ataúro Island region.
The mission results from a partnership between OceanX—a non-profit organization based in the United States and supported by Dalio Philanthropies—and the Government of Timor-Leste, through the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Livestock, and Forestry. The initiative also involves collaboration with several international universities and scientific institutions, including King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), the University of Florida, the University of Western Australia, Macquarie University, Flinders University, and the Ocean Alliance.
During the visit, the Prime Minister was accompanied by the Deputy Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, and Minister of Tourism and Environment, Francisco Kalbuadi Lay, along with other members of the Government and the National Parliament. The delegation had the opportunity to explore the technological capabilities of the OceanXplorer and to hear presentations from the scientific team about the mission’s objectives, which combine marine science, technology, education, and communication to deepen understanding of the ocean and promote its sustainable management.
The OceanXplorer is regarded as one of the most advanced oceanographic research vessels in the world. It is equipped with state-of-the-art laboratories, submersibles capable of reaching depths of up to six thousand meters, drones, imaging systems, and artificial intelligence platforms that enable the identification of species and real-time data analysis.
The OceanX Timor-Leste 2025 expedition will study the deep waters north of Dili and Ataúro Island—one of the most biodiverse and least explored regions of the Coral Triangle—where the Pacific and Indian Oceans converge. Researchers will collect data on biodiversity, ocean currents, habitats, and marine species, contributing to a deeper understanding of Timor-Leste’s marine ecosystems.
The results of this mission will provide a solid scientific foundation for understanding Timor-Leste’s marine environment and guiding future policies for research, conservation, and sustainable management of ocean resources. It will also strengthen cooperation between Timor-Leste and international research institutions, enhance national scientific capacity, and connect the country to global networks of marine science and exploration.
Over the weekend, OceanX opened the OceanXplorer to Timorese students, researchers, and journalists, offering guided tours that showcased the program’s educational and scientific potential.
OceanX’s presence in Timor-Leste marks a significant milestone in the appreciation and sustainable use of the nation’s marine resources. It reinforces the Government’s commitment to promoting sustainable development and protecting the marine environment as key pillars of the blue economy.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
