Timor-Leste, Indonesia kick off the fourth round of maritime boundary negotiations
DÍLI, 02 September 2026 (TATOLI) — Timor-Leste and Indonesia have begun the fourth round of negotiations on the delimitation of the maritime boundary, with talks taking place in Jakarta from September 1 to 3.
Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão is in Jakarta, accompanying Timor-Leste’s delegation for the fourth round of formal maritime boundary negotiations.
The delegation is headed by Elizabeth Exposto, Chief Executive Officer of the Land and Maritime Boundary Office and Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister, continuing these crucial talks under the Prime Minister’s direct guidance.
This session follows three rounds of formal negotiations in Dili, Yogyakarta (2025), and Singapore (April 2026). Establishing permanent maritime boundaries is a definitive national priority as Timor-Leste works to secure its borders and future.
The Indonesian delegation is headed by Ambassador Ricky Suhendar.
Senior officials and technical teams from both countries are taking part in the three-day discussions, which aim to reach an agreement in accordance with international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Exposto thanked the Indonesian Government and delegation for hosting the negotiations. She said reaching an agreement on the maritime boundary is important to strengthening relations between the two countries.
“For the Timor-Leste delegation, it is a privilege to continue this important dialogue with our Indonesian colleagues in a spirit of friendship, mutual respect and cooperation,” Exposto said in a statement seen by TATOLI.
She said the principles of friendship, mutual respect and cooperation had provided an important foundation for relations between Timor-Leste and Indonesia over many years.
The first round of maritime boundary negotiations was held in Dili in August 2025, followed by the second round in Yogyakarta in December 2025. The third round took place in Singapore in April 2026.
The latest round in Jakarta is part of ongoing efforts by the two countries to reach an agreement on the delimitation of their maritime boundary.
TATOLI
