Media Releases
- 30 of September of 2026Meeting of the Council of Ministers on September 30th, 2026Presidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Spokesperson of the Government of Timor-Leste
Ninth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Meeting of the Council of Ministers on September 30th, 2025
The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace in Dili and resolved to endorse the Timor-Leste State Report on the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) 2022–2026, concerning human rights, presented by the Minister for Justice, Sérgio de Jesus Fernandes da Costa Hornai.
The report outlines Timor-Leste's key human rights progress from 2022 to 2026, and the measures taken to follow up on recommendations from the previous Universal Periodic Review cycle. The document will be submitted to the United Nations on October 9th, 2026, as part of the Human Rights Council's mechanism, which periodically assesses the human rights situation in Member States.
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In accordance with the proposals presented by the Minister for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Francisco da Costa Monteiro, the Council of Ministers resolved to authorise expenditure from the General State Budget under Programme A18 for the implementation of the Tasi Mane Project on the South Coast, in the amounts of US$22.84 million and US$13.57 million, and to launch the respective procurement procedures through a public tender.
The expenditure is intended for the procurement of project management and supervision services, covering the Suai Supply Base and the Centre of Excellence in Oil and Gas Science and Technology, as well as for the construction works on the motorway between Zumalai and Natarbora, on the Uma Berloic–Natarbora section, and for the access road between the motorway and the industrial cluster area.
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The Council of Ministers has approved the draft Government Resolution on the appointment of members of the Supervisory Board of the public corporation Bee Timor-Leste (BTL, EP) for a four-year term.
Following a joint proposal by the members of the Government responsible for the water and sanitation and finance sectors, João Amaral has been appointed as Chair of the Supervisory Board. Francisco da Conceição Guterres and Ângelo Barreto were also appointed as members, given their respective personal and professional expertise, as well as the integrity, impartiality, and experience required to carry out their duties.
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The Council of Ministers has decided to grant full powers to the Vice Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister of Economic Affairs and Minister for Tourism and the Environment, Francisco Kalbuadi Lay, to sign, on behalf of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, the ASEAN Framework Agreement on the Digital Economy (DEFA), and to the Minister for Trade and Industry, Nino Pereira, to sign, also on behalf of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Competition (AFAC).
The DEFA aims to promote an integrated digital economy within ASEAN by harmonising standards and procedures amongst Member States, covering areas such as e-commerce and electronic payments, digital identity, data protection, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence.
The AFAC establishes a regional framework for cooperation on competition matters, based on the fair, transparent, and non-discriminatory application of relevant rules, and on strengthening competition authorities and cooperation between Member States.
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Lastly, the Council of Ministers approved the 2027 General State Budget draft (2027 GSB), presented by the Minister for Finance, Santina José Rodrigues F. Viegas Cardoso, with a total consolidated amount of US$ 2,568,500,000. The budget allocates US$ 2,487 million to the Central Government and US$ 56.1 million to the Oe-Cússe Ambeno Special Administrative Region (RAEOA). Social Security has a budget of US$ 186.55 million.
Under the motto “Strengthening Resilience through Transformation: Diversifying the Economy for a Sustainable Future”, the 2027 GSB continues the priorities set out in the Programme of the 9th Constitutional Government and in the 2011–2030 Strategic Development Plan. The proposal combines the continuity of essential public services with investments and reforms aimed at strengthening productive capacity, creating jobs, improving the population’s living conditions and reducing the economy’s vulnerability to external shocks.
Among the key measures set out in the 2027 GSB, the following are particularly noteworthy:
• the development of the oil and mineral resources sectors, with an additional allocation of US$ 244.8 million for the policy priorities approved for 2027;
• the strengthening of education and health services, with allocations of US$ 194.2 million and US$ 182.6 million, respectively, to the Central Administration and the RAEOA, in accordance with the functional classification of expenditure;
• the continuity of the electricity supply, through a transfer of US$ 127.4 million to EDTL, E.P., which also supports the expansion of generation capacity at Oe-Cússe Ambeno and the solar power station at Ataúro;
• the continuation of support for National Liberation Fighters and vulnerable families, including US$ 156.2 million for the recognition and support of veterans, combatants, and martyrs, and US$ 11.7 million for mothers and children, primarily through the Bolsa da Mãe (Mother's Allowance) programme;
• funding for school meals through local authorities, with an allocation of US$ 24.7 million, covering primary and pre-school education;
• strengthening fiscal equity and sub-national governance, with an additional allocation of US$ 17.3 million, aimed at supporting decentralisation and the delivery of public services across the country;
• funding for election-related needs and commitments relating to ASEAN, with an additional allocation of US$ 27.5 million;
• strengthening public order and security, with an additional allocation of US$ 13.6 million;
• promoting economic diversification through initial funding of US$ 8.8 million for niche tourism priorities and US$ 6 million for fisheries, supporting the preparation of interventions and capacity building in these sectors;
• strengthening the domestic revenue system with an additional allocation of US$ 5 million, as part of measures aimed at improving revenue mobilisation;
• and the reduction of inefficiencies in public spending, with projected savings of US$ 53.6 million across 62 organisations, as well as the reorientation of the Infrastructure Fund, with projected savings of US$ 51.6 million in 2027.
The preparation of the 2027 GSB also builds on stronger medium-term planning, with estimates for 2027 to 2031 that identify the costs of continuing existing policies and services and allow the Government’s new priorities to be analysed separately. This approach aims to improve resource allocation, increase expenditure predictability, and strengthen results assessment, while maintaining the annual nature of budgetary authorisation, in accordance with Law No. 3/2025 of April 23rd, on the Framework for the General State Budget and Public Financial Management. END - 16 of September of 2026Meeting of the Council of Ministers on September 16th, 2026Presidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Spokesperson of the Government of Timor-Leste
Ninth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Meeting of the Council of Ministers on September 16th, 2026
The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace in Dili and began the meeting with presentations by the Governor of the Central Bank of Timor-Leste (BCTL), Hélder Lopes, on the Petroleum Fund’s performance for the first half of 2026, the Economic Review for the first half of 2026, and the findings of the Mutual Evaluation Report on measures to combat money laundering and terrorist financing in Timor-Leste.
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At the end of June 2026, the Petroleum Fund had a balance of approximately US$18.43 billion, compared with US$18.31 billion at the end of the first quarter. In the second quarter, the Fund’s investments generated a return of approximately US$719 million, driven mainly by equity performance. In the first half of the year, the Fund transferred US$800 million to finance expenditure under the General State Budget. The presentation also highlighted the decline in oil revenues and the growing importance of investment income for sustaining and preserving the Fund’s assets.
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Next, the results of the Mutual Evaluation carried out by the Asia-Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG) were presented; this assessed the extent to which Timor-Leste complies with international standards on combating money laundering and the financing of terrorism.
The assessment concluded that Timor-Leste fully or largely complies with 22 of the 40 recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), whilst a further 12 are partially complied with. Areas requiring strengthening were also identified, particularly in supervision, prevention, investigation, asset recovery and confiscation, and the imposition of financial sanctions. In this context, measures to address the assessment’s recommendations were also discussed, including strengthening the legal and institutional framework, updating the national risk assessment, improving coordination between the relevant authorities, and implementing a national strategic plan.
Following the presentation, the Council of Ministers endorsed the recommendations of the National Commission for the Implementation of Measures to Combat Money Laundering and the Financing of Terrorism (CNCBC), led by the Minister of Justice, Sérgio de Jesus Fernandes da Costa Hornai, regarding the adoption of the 2024 Mutual Evaluation Report on Timor, the National Strategic Plan 2025–2028, and the 2025 National Risk Assessment Report and its annexes, as well as authorising the publication of the latter.
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With regard to the performance of the national economy, the presentation highlighted a favourable growth outlook, with real non-oil GDP projected to grow by 5 per cent in 2026, supported by public consumption and investment, household consumption, and the gradual recovery of private investment. Inflation remained low, at 0.5 per cent in June, whilst lending to the private sector continued to grow. Non-oil revenue increased by 9.2 per cent in the first half of the year, compared with the same period last year, to around US$130 million, with income tax revenues accounting for 85.5 per cent of domestic revenue. Challenges were also highlighted, including high dependence on imports, limited domestic production capacity, and the current account deficit, which reached US$374.1 million in the first half of the year.
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The Council of Ministers has endorsed the publication of the Summary Report on Poverty in Timor-Leste, presented by the Vice-Minister of Finance, Regina de Jesus. The report, drawn up on the basis of the findings of the 2024 Timor-Leste Living Standards Survey (TLSLS), provides up-to-date data on the incidence and characteristics of poverty in the country.
The results indicate that the national poverty rate fell from 41.8 per cent in 2014 to 37 per cent in 2024, a reduction of 4.8 percentage points over the last decade. Poverty remains more prevalent in rural areas, where it affects 45.5 per cent of the population, compared with 18.4 per cent in urban areas; differences are also evident across municipalities.
Following the publication of the summary report, INETL, IP and the Ministry of Finance, with support from the World Bank, will conduct a Poverty and Equity Assessment, based on data from the TLSLS 2024, to deepen the analysis of the factors contributing to poverty reduction and to support the formulation of evidence-based public policies geared towards more inclusive and resilient economic growth.
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The Council of Ministers has approved the draft Decree-Law, presented by Agio Pereira, Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, on the System for the Selection and Appointment of Lawyers to Represent the State in Legal Proceedings.
This Decree-Law sets out the procedure for selecting and appointing a lawyer or law firm to ensure the State’s legal representation and defence before the courts and arbitral tribunals, particularly in cases where the particular complexity or significance to the State warrants the use of specialist legal representation.
These include, amongst others, cases of high factual or technical complexity; those involving highly specialised matters; those before foreign courts, arbitral tribunals, or international bodies; those that may have a significant financial impact on the General State Budget; or those involving classified, confidential, or sensitive information. The classification of a case as being of particular complexity or significance is made by a reasoned order of the Prime Minister, following a proposal from the member of the Government who assists him in the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, the member of the Government responsible for the relevant area, or the entity with an interest in the case.
The lawyer to be engaged must have at least five years’ experience in the subject matter of the case and be proficient in at least one of the official languages. In cases taking place abroad or conducted in a foreign language, they must be proficient in the language used in the proceedings. The legislation also sets out rules to prevent conflicts of interest in the engagement process.
The Prime Minister appoints the legal representative by reasoned order and may delegate this power to the member of the Government who assists him in the Presidency of the Council of Ministers. In urgent cases, that member of the Government may make the appointment and shall inform the Prime Minister thereof. With the adoption of this legislation, Decree-Law No. 16/2012 of April 4th, on the Representation of the State in Court, is hereby repealed.
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The Vice Minister for ASEAN Affairs, Milena Rangel, gave a presentation to the Council of Ministers on the outcomes of the ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM), held on September 9th, 2026, in the Philippines, and on the current status of Timor-Leste’s preparations to assume the ASEAN Chair in 2029. During the meeting, nine Member States expressly expressed their support for Timor-Leste’s Chairmanship in 2029; the matter is to be submitted to the ASEAN Coordinating Council for consideration at the 49th ASEAN Summit in Manila in November. The presentation also addressed national preparations in terms of infrastructure, logistics and human resource capacity-building, as well as the measures required to mobilise investment and strengthen national preparations for the Chairmanship.
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Following Vice Minister Milena Rangel’s presentation, the Council of Ministers resolved to endorse the strategic use of Artificial Intelligence, Knowledge Graphs, Digital Twins and Predictive Intelligence as tools to support Timor-Leste’s preparation for and exercise of the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2029. Authorisation was also granted for a pilot project for the Anunnai platform, designed to integrate and analyse information on Chairmanship preparations, support the monitoring of projects and outcomes, identify risks and potential delays, and provide information to support decision-making.
The ASEAN Chair National Organising Committee (ACNOC), through the National ASEAN Secretariat (NAS), will be responsible for coordinating the pilot project, in collaboration with the relevant authorities, as part of preparatory measures in the field of Artificial Intelligence, including the AI Readiness Task Force. The project will be implemented in phases and will be subject to governance, cybersecurity, data protection, and human oversight mechanisms. The results, costs, benefits, and risks of the pilot project will be assessed prior to any potential expansion, with the AI Readiness Task Force responsible for presenting the findings and recommendations for the next phase to ACNOC. END - 11 of September of 2026Meeting of the Council of Ministers on September 11th, 2026Approvedmore
✅ 1 - Scheme for the Extraordinary Step Progression for Staff in the General Civil Service Career;
✅ 2 – Timetable for electoral registration abroad;
✅ 3 – Authorisation of expenditure and the launch of the procurement procedure for the construction and installation of the Hybrid Energy Supply System for the island of Ataúro;
✅ 4 – Appointment of a new effective member by the Government on the Superior Council of the Judiciary.
Considered:
➡️ 1 - Procedure for renewing passports for Timorese citizens residing and working in Israel. - 08 of September of 2026Supreme Court of Victoria dismisses the Lighthouse CaseThe Supreme Court of Victoria (Court) on Friday handed down judgment in favour of the Government of Timor-Leste's application to dismiss a proceeding commenced in 2018 by Lighthouse Corporation (Lighthouse) against Timor-Leste and its electricity public entity, EDTL.more
- 02 of September of 2026Meeting of the Council of Ministers on September 2nd, 2026Approvedmore
✅ 1 - Special public procurement regime applicable to Timor-Leste’s preparation for and exercise of the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2029;
✅ 2 - Resolution to strengthen the protection of public electricity infrastructure;
✅ 3 - Visa waiver agreements concluded with Vietnam and Vanuatu;
✅ 4 - 2027–2030 Medium-Term Plan.
Analysed:
➡️ 1 - Results of an analysis of heavy equipment rental and fuel costs and their impact on infrastructure project costs. - 26 of August of 2026Day Off Granted All Day on September 1st and on the Afternoon of September 10th, 2026, on the Occasion of the Repatriation of the Mortal Remains of Catholic Prelates Who Served in Timor-LesteThus, pursuant to Article 7(2)(a) and (6)(d) of Law No. 10/2005, of August 10th, as amended by Law No. 3/2016, of May 25th, and Law No. 10/2023, of April 5th, the Prime Minister, through Order No. 12/PM/VIII/2026, hereby determines the following:more
A day off is granted on the following days:
a) September 1st, 2026, all day;
b) September 10th, 2026, from 12:00 pm onwards. - 26 of August of 2026Meeting of the Council of Ministers on August 26th, 2026Approvedmore
✅ 1 - Extension of the term of the Steering Committee 25.
✅ 2 - Establishment of the National Centre for Coordination, Assessment, and Combating Transnational Threats.
✅ 3 - Official theme and slogan for the celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of National Timorese Women’s Day.
✅ 4 - Ratification of the expenditure authorisation documents and the decision to initiate the public procurement procedure for the purchase of fuel for the Hera and Betano Power Plants.
Analysed:
➡️ 1 - Report by the ASEAN Secretariat on the implementation of the roadmap for Timor-Leste’s full membership in ASEAN.
➡️ 2 - Preparations for the ceremonies honouring and repatriating the mortal remains of D. Jaime Garcia Goulart, D. José Joaquim Ribeiro, Monsignor Martinho da Costa Lopes, and D. Alberto Ricardo da Silva. - 12 of August of 2026Meeting of the Council of Ministers on August 12, 2026Approvedmore
✅1 - Negotiation of a loan with the World Bank for the Baucau Municipal Capital Water Supply Project;
✅2 - Appointment by the Government of a member and their alternate to the National Election Commission;
✅3 - Return to the State of the land granted to Pelican Paradise Group Limited.
Analysed:
➡️1 – Presentation on the 31st Regular Meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP);
➡️2 - Presentation on the National Programs to Combat Tuberculosis, Leprosy, and HIV/AIDS.
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