Timor-Leste Prime Minister Visits CTC, Strengthening Cooperation for Marine Conservation

On August 29, 2026, Coral Triangle Center (CTC) welcomed the Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, H.E. Xanana Gusmão, together with a delegation of 25 representatives from the Prime Minister’s Land and Maritime Office (LMBO). The delegation was led by Mrs. Elizabeth Exposto, Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister and CEO of LMBO, and included Mr. Fernandino Vieira da Costa, Secretary of State for Forestry, and Mr. Mateus Belo, President of the Atauro Authority.

The visit brought CTC’s more than decade-long partnership with Timor-Leste into focus while opening new chapters of cooperation in marine conservation, education, research, and sustainable ocean management. During the visit, H. E. Xanana Gusmão highlighted the shared responsibility of countries in the region to protect marine ecosystems. “The sea has no borders. The corals living in Timor-Leste’s waters are connected to the marine ecosystems of the entire region. Therefore, our responsibility is also shared,” stated the Prime Minister.

He advocated for coordination between marine conservation, the development of coastal communities, and the blue economy, through cooperation in the areas of science, research, training, the management of marine protected areas (MPA), and community participation.

The day began with a tour of CTC’s Center for Marine Conservation (CMC) exhibition, where H.E. Xanana Gusmão and the delegation explored CTC’s work across the Coral Triangle through interactive exhibitions that showcased marine ecosystems and conservation efforts in an accessible way. The Prime Minister’s interest in developing a similar facility back home. He noted that the CMC provided valuable inspiration for him and his team as Timor-Leste considers building its own marine education and exhibition facility.

The conversation continued at CTC’s Pavilion, where CTC’s Senior Marine Conservation Advisor Marthen Welly welcomed H.E. Xanana Gusmão and the delegation, introducing CTC’s Timor-Leste team and the colleagues attending the meeting.

Mr. Welly then presented CTC’s marine conservation programs across the Coral Triangle, with a focus on Timor-Leste. The presentation highlighted CTC’s support for marine protected area establishment and management, coral reef restoration, capacity building, marine spatial planning, community engagement, and conservation education. In Atauro, CTC has supported the “One Island, One Management” approach since 2013, contributing to the establishment and management of the Atauro Island MPA and the integration of traditional practices such as Tara Bandu. CTC’s ongoing work there includes reef health monitoring, regular patrols, community outreach, and engagement with young people and women’s groups. He also mentioned CTC’s efforts to support the Samba Sembilan Liquica MPA alongside efforts to establish new MPAsin Metinaro and Manufahi.

For H.E. Xanana Gusmão, protecting Timor-Leste’s marine resources is inseparable from the country’s heritage and future. He recalled his childhood in Manatuto, where he spent much of his time at the beach, and reflected on how coastal environments have changed, particularly due to plastic pollution and increasing human activity. Tourism, he said, must be managed and developed carefully, so that economic interests do not come at the expense of ecosystems. He pointed to the clear waters and rich marine life around Nino Konis Santana National Park and Jaco Island as natural assets that require careful protection.

H.E. Xanana Gusmão also emphasized the value of traditional marine management and scientific cooperation. He highlighted the discovery of new species in Atauro and stressed that Timor-Leste’s marine resources represent an important part of its national heritage. To deepen this work and collaborative research, he shared plans to establish a scientific research center in Atauro“We need to have more effective cooperation,” he said, stressing the importance of working together to protect the ocean..

In his remarks, H.E. Xanana Gusmão thanked CTC for its continued work in Timor-Leste and emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation among countries that form the Coral Triangle family.

The visit connected more than a decade of partnership with new possibilities ahead. From Atauro MPA to research and education opportunities, the discussions showed how knowledge, experience, and local approaches can be shared across the Coral Triangle.

As Timor-Leste deepens its efforts to understand and protect its marine resources, CTC looks forward to building on its long-standing partnership and working together to protect the ocean that connects the region..

Writer: Asia Salsabilla
Photo: Government of Timor Leste, Adam Putra/CTC