ANC, working with ANACOM Portugal, held an international seminar called "Promoting a Robust Digital Infrastructure and Advanced Technology for Sustainable Development" at the Novo Turismo Hall, Bidau Lecidere. The seminar aimed to: raise awareness of why submarine cables, data centres, blue-economy connectivity, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence (AI) matter for national development; help academia, regulators, public institutions and telecom operators share experience, research and good practice on planning, building and protecting critical digital infrastructure; discuss the national strategies, policies and rules needed for resilient, secure and sustainable submarine cables and data centres, including support for the blue economy; look at global trends in AI and future connectivity, with a focus on the EU's AI rules and what they mean for national policy, innovation and compliance; and encourage research and build technical and institutional skills in data governance, sustainable blue-economy practice and new digital technologies. ANC President Flávio Cardoso Neves said the event is part of a strategic partnership for sharing knowledge between regulators, especially on new technologies: "This partnership gives us a platform to share knowledge, especially about fast-moving technologies such as AI, submarine cables and digital infrastructure. We want everyone to have the same access and opportunities in technology. Cooperation between sectors is key to speeding up Timor-Leste's digital ecosystem. Working together should not be a competition but a way to strengthen national capacity, so we can speed up technology development to meet the country's needs." The seminar was opened by the Minister of Transport and Communications, Eng. Miguel Marques Gonçalves Manetelu, and closed in the afternoon by the ANC Finance Administrator, Ms Georgina Emília da Silva Garcia. Government institutions, the operators Telemor, Timor Telecom and Telkomcel, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Timor-Leste (CCI-TL), ISPs, civil society, academics and development partners took part.
