DILI, 28 May 2026 (TATOLI) — Timor-Leste’s government is advancing preparations for a new legal framework to support the implementation of its 2025–2035 Policy and Action Plan for a Resilient and Sustainable Ocean Economy.
The Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Agio Pereira, met on Thursday at the Government Palace in Dili with maritime law expert Professor Vasco Becker-Weinberg to discuss upcoming legislative measures tied to the country’s blue economy strategy.
The meeting is part of follow-up work after Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão established a Blue Economy Working Group tasked with developing the legal instruments required to implement the national policy, particularly in maritime spatial planning and marine protected areas.
Discussions focused on next steps for drafting supplementary legislation to Decree-Law No. 15/2026, which sets out the foundations for the management and organisation of Timor-Leste’s maritime space. The talks also covered environmental protection, efforts to combat illegal fishing, maritime governance, and the sustainable use of marine resources.
Pereira and Becker also addressed institutional coordination challenges, the need to strengthen national technical capacity, and ensuring the legal framework is adapted to Timor-Leste’s specific conditions and strategic priorities.
The Policy and Action Plan for a Resilient and Sustainable Ocean Economy was approved by the Council of Ministers on February 20, 2026. It defines the government’s 10-year vision for the maritime sector under the direct coordination of the prime minister, supported by the Land and Maritime Boundary Office.
The strategy is structured around four pillars: marine research, education and ocean literacy; conservation and environmental protection; sustainable use of marine resources; and cross-cutting implementation measures. Priorities include biodiversity protection, combating illegal fishing, developing nautical and ecotourism, strengthening maritime security, and modernising port infrastructure.
Becker-Weinberg, a professor at the Faculty of Law of the University of Lisbon and president of the Portuguese Institute of the Law of the Sea, currently serves as legal coordinator for Portugal’s task force on continental shelf extension. He has also served as a member of the European Parliament and adviser within Portugal’s maritime governance structures.
The Blue Economy Working Group is expected to continue technical and institutional work in support of the government’s implementation agenda over the coming months.
TATOLI
