Díli, July 24, 2025 (Lusa) - Australia will help Timor-Leste develop a saltwater crocodile management plan, the Australian Embassy in Dili announced on Thursday in a social media post.

“The Northern Territory Government [of Australia] is working closely with the Government of Timor-Leste to develop a saltwater crocodile management plan with the aim of improving public health and safety,” the post said.

The Australian embassy explains that the partnership aims to “contribute to strengthening local capacity for the monitoring and ongoing management of crocodiles”, which are considered sacred in Timor-Leste and whose attacks have increased in recent years.

The announcement was made during the visit of the Northern Territory Minister for Trade, Business and Asian Relations, Robyn Cahill, to Dili, who after a meeting with Timorese Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão also highlighted the partnership.

In a statement to the press, without taking questions, the minister stressed that the meeting also served to explore ways for the Northern Territory and Timor-Leste to work together in “sharing skills and experiences in various sectors”.

“For example, our cooperation agreement in the area of health and also some projects that we will start in the near future to train workers in the area of renewable energy,” she said.

Timor-Leste and Australia's Northern Territory signed an Action Plan for Cooperation in the Health Sector on 18 July, under the 2023-2027 Strategic Partnership Agreement.

The plan aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation through exchanges of expertise, specialised training programmes in areas such as haematology and intensive care, and postgraduate clinical internships.

Robyn Cahill, who began a visit to Dili on Wednesday, also met today with Timorese President José Ramos-Horta, with whom she discussed opportunities for collaboration between the Northern Territory and Timor-Leste.

MSE/AYLS // AYLS

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