Timor-Leste Opens Doors for Regional Cooperation

Submitted by Mr. Aquiles S. Guterres, INDMO, I.P. | Edited by SEA-VET Content

DÍLI, TIMOR LESTE. INDMO, I.P (9 July 2026) - Pacific delegates commends Timor-Leste and the Instituto Nacional de Desenvolvimento de Mão-de-Obra, Instituto Público (INDMO, I.P.) for organising the 2^nd Timor-Leste International Friendly Skills Competition and the 9^th National Skills Competition, while also discussing possible future cooperation between the Pacific and Southeast Asia in skills development. The competitions were held from 7 to 9 July 2026 and brought together young competitors, experts, judges, technical officials, government representatives and partners from Timor-Leste, the Pacific and other participating countries.

The competition areas included Electrical Installation, Restaurant Services and Restaurant Service at Don Bosco Comoro Training Center, and Welding at National Employment and Vocational Training Center at Tibar. Mr Brian Clowes, Representative of the Department of Labour and Industrial Relations of Papua New Guinea, congratulated Timor-Leste and INDMO, I.P. for hosting the event.

Mr. Clowes described the competition as a broader commitment to recognising youth skills and advancing their future prospects. 

“We are very happy and honoured to be here, to be part of this occasion, to learn from Timor-Leste, WorldSkills Asia and our Pacific partners, and to share our own experiences,” Mr Clowes said. 

Mr. Clowes noted that regional skills competitions offer valuable opportunities for countries to learn from one another, exchange experiences, and strengthen cooperation in technical and vocational education and training. He later expressed that the Papua New Guinea delegation felt warmly welcomed in Timor-Leste.

“When we arrived in Timor-Leste, it felt like coming home. We share similar culture, climate, food and friendship. We have been received very well, and we are very impressed by the kindness of the Timorese people,” he said.

Mr. Howard Aru, Political Adviser to the Minister of Education and Training of Vanuatu, also welcomed the opportunity to observe the competition and exchange experience with Timor-Leste and other Pacific partners.

“This competition is not only about winning. It is also about improving practical skills that can support national development, industry and local communities,” Mr Aru said.

Mr Aru highlighted the longstanding links between Vanuatu and Timor-Leste, including shared historical experiences, regional solidarity and common development challenges. He also noted the importance of cooperation in technical and vocational education and training, skills development, seasonal work opportunities in Australia and New Zealand, and workforce preparation.

“This visit gives us an opportunity to identify gaps, share lessons learned and explore stronger cooperation between Timor-Leste, Vanuatu, Pacific countries, Australia and other partners,” Mr. Aru said.

During a special meeting with all Pacific representatives on 7^th July at Tibar, Ms. Isabel Fernandes de Lima, Executive Director of INDMO, I.P., proposed further dialogue on a possible inter-regional skills cooperation platform connecting the Pacific and Southeast Asia. Ms de Lima said Timor-Leste, through INDMO, I.P., could help facilitate dialogue between Pacific countries, WorldSkills Asia and Southeast Asian partners, particularly in relation to skills competitions, technical exchange and institutional cooperation.

“Timor-Leste is geographically and culturally close to both Southeast Asia and the Pacific. Through INDMO, I.P., we are ready to support dialogue and cooperation that can connect our young people, our institutions and our skills systems,” Ms de Lima stated.

She said such a platform could support joint competitions, exchange of experts and judges, benchmarking of skills standards, institutional partnerships and preparation for future regional and international skills events.

“Our focus should be practical cooperation. Skills competitions can become an entry point for wider collaboration in TVET, workforce preparation and youth empowerment,” Ms de Lima added.

Representatives from Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Vanuatu and other participating countries welcomed the discussion and expressed interest in further dialogue on possible Pacific–Southeast Asia skills cooperation, with Timor-Leste and INDMO, I.P. acting as a bridge for communication and coordination.Ms de Lima also invited Pacific countries to continue engaging with WorldSkills Asia and to consider future participation in its activities, including skills competitions, technical meetings and institutional exchanges.

“We warmly invite our Pacific friends to continue this journey with us and to explore closer engagement with WorldSkills Asia. Together, we can build stronger skills systems and create more opportunities for our young people,” Ms de Lima remarked.

At a regional workshop held on 9 July 2026 at Palm Springs Hotel, Mr Wade Evans, a TVET professional from Vanuatu, proposed that Pacific countries consider developing a Pacific Skills Cooperation Platform as a gradual pathway for strengthening skills competitions and technical cooperation. Mr. Evans emphasised that before pursuing recognition as a WorldSkills region, priority should first be given to establishing a Pacific skills cooperation platform.

Mr Evans noted that Vanuatu had begun developing its own skills competition model after observing the WorldSkills Australia National Competition in Melbourne in 2023, with support from the Australia Pacific Training Coalition. Vanuatu’s first competition was developed based on the WorldSkills model and later expanded to include other institutes. He added that the goal is to keep progressing steadily rather than remaining stagnant. He further suggested that regular Pacific skills competitions, possibly every two years, could be supported through technical cooperation among Pacific countries and neighbouring WorldSkills members such as Timor-Leste, Australia and New Zealand.

“We can support each other, and with technical support from Australia and New Zealand, we can continue pulling each other up,” he urged.

He also said the proposal could be discussed through regional mechanisms, including the Pacific Islands Forum, to seek broader political support.The participation of Pacific representatives in the Timor-Leste Skills Competition 2026 provided an opportunity for dialogue, technical exchange and observation of Timor-Leste’s skills competition model.

The discussions also highlighted growing interest in using skills competitions as a practical entry point for broader cooperation in technical and vocational education and training, workforce preparation and youth development. INDMO, I.P. stated the event formed part of ongoing efforts to promote youth skills, strengthen national workforce development and expand cooperation with regional partners.

Continued dialogue with Pacific countries, WorldSkills Asia and Southeast Asian partners is expected to help identify practical areas for future cooperation, including technical exchange, institutional partnerships and participation in regional skills events.