Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 16 October 2025
His Excellency Francisco da Costa Monteiro, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, participated in the 43rd ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM), held under the theme βPowering ASEAN: Bridging Boundaries, Building Prosperity.β The meeting gathered Energy Ministers from all ASEAN Member States, together with dialogue partners, regional energy organisations, and international institutions, to discuss regional energy cooperation, energy transition, and sustainable development.
The Minister was accompanied by His Excellency Santos Noronha, Secretary of State for Electricity, Water, and Sanitation, representing the Ministry of Public Works, and Mr. Gualdino do Carmo da Silva, President of the National Petroleum Authority (ANP). The delegationβs participation reflected Timor-Lesteβs whole-of-government approach to regional energy integration and cooperation.
The Meeting, chaired by His Excellency Datuk Amar Haji Fadillah bin Haji Yusof, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation of Malaysia, adopted several key outcomes that strengthen ASEANβs collective energy agenda. These included the endorsement of the ASEAN Power Grid Enhanced Memorandum of Understanding, the Submarine Power Cable Development Framework, and the ASEAN Power Grid Financing Initiative (APGF), milestones aimed at advancing regional energy connectivity and investment.
The Ministers also endorsed the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Petroleum Security (APSA), modernising regional mechanisms for oil and gas cooperation and strengthening resilience against supply disruptions. In addition, the Meeting adopted the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) 2026β2030, which will guide ASEANβs energy priorities for the next five years, focusing on energy security, decarbonisation, renewable energy, and regional interconnectivity.
During the Meeting, Minister Monteiroβs message, delivered by President Gualdino da Silva, focused on Timor-Lesteβs priority to advance oil and gas development and downstream industrial infrastructure. He highlighted the Greater Sunrise and Bayu-Undan projects as central pillars for national industrialisation and regional energy cooperation, noting that both initiatives will anchor future LNG processing, petrochemical production, and energy transition efforts along the southern coast.
The Ministerβs message also highlighted Timor-Lesteβs national goal to achieve full electrification and a diversified energy mix. Under the Strategic Development Plan 2011β2030, the country aims for 100 per cent electricity access and 50 per cent renewable energy contribution by 2030. The IX Constitutional Government, led by His Excellency Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana GusmΓ£o, has accelerated progress toward these targets, with current access exceeding 90 per cent and full nationwide coverage expected by the end of 2026, four years ahead of schedule. The Government is investing in renewable energy resource, including wind, solar, and hydro resources, supported by recent pre-feasibility studies identifying up to 450 MW of potential capacity, as well as the launch of 72 MW of solar PV and 36 MWh of Battery Energy Storage System projects.
Timor-Leste participated as an observer as part of its continued engagement in ASEANβs energy cooperation framework, while preparing to become the 11th ASEAN Member State.