Dili, Aug. 28, 2026 (Lusa) - The prime minister of Timor-Leste, Xanana Gusmão, said on Friday that the delimitation of maritime borders must remain connected to sovereignty and the people's right to enjoy the resources that belong to them.
«The struggle to demarcate our maritime borders must remain connected to the struggle for sovereignty: one and the same people, with the same determination, have the same right to enjoy fully, economically, socially, culturally and environmentally, what belongs to them,» said Xanana Gusmão.
«That is why today we look out to our sea with a new ambition,» he said.
Xanana Gusmão was speaking at the opening session of the symposium «Timor-Leste OceanX: Science for a Blue Future», which will focus on initial findings from the scientific mission aboard the OceanXplorer vessel in the country, carried out in November.
During the symposium, researchers and national and international partners will discuss marine conservation, fisheries management, sustainable tourism and future priorities for marine research.
«Our country may be small in terms of land area. However, when we look out to sea, we are also a great nation. Not only because of its beauty, nor merely because it is a central element of our culture and identity, but above all because of the enormous potential it holds,» Gusmão added.
Timor-Leste is located in the Coral Triangle, a region offering unique conditions for observing whales, dolphins, sea turtles and coral reefs.
«This oasis of biodiversity is a true treasure of our planet. This privilege also brings with it a great responsibility. We have a duty to protect, care for and, above all, take action,» he said, referring to climate change, pollution and illegal fishing.
The OceanXplorer, one of the world's most advanced scientific research vessels, studied the deep waters off Timor-Leste to the north of Dili and the island of Ataúro – one of the most biodiverse and least explored areas of the Coral Triangle, where the Pacific and Indian Oceans meet.
«This mission has gathered new data on marine mapping, biodiversity and ecosystems, data that will help us better fulfil our responsibilities and the objectives of our Blue Economy Policy,» explained Xanana Gusmão.
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