Meeting of the Council of Ministers on March 27th, 2024

Presidency of the Council of Ministers

Spokesperson of the Government of Timor-Leste
Ninth Constitutional Government

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Press Release

Meeting of the Council of Ministers on March 27th, 2024

The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace in Dili and approved the draft Law Proposal for the second amendment to Law No. 8/2009, of July 15th, on the Anti-Corruption Commission, presented by the Presidency of the Council of Ministers.

Since the Anti-Corruption Commission was set up, the requirement for an enhanced quorum to elect its Commissioner has hampered the normal and regular electoral process, thus compromising the functioning of this criminal police body specialising in the fight against corruption. With this law, the Commissioner can be elected or dismissed by an absolute majority of the Members of the National Parliament, and the requirement that at least three-quarters of the Members in office be present will be removed.

 This Law Proposal also stipulates that the Commissioner whose mandate expires will remain in office until the new incumbent takes office, thus guaranteeing the continuity of public service and the fulfilment of the mission for which the Anti-Corruption Commission was created.

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A draft Decree-Law on the special scholarship scheme for the justice sector, presented by Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, was also approved.

The scholarships are intended to fund higher education courses in the civil system to obtain bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in legal sciences, training in forensic medicine, professional training actions, specialised training for trainees at the Legal and Judicial Training Centre, and professional internships for the exercise of a profession. The programme will be financed by the Human Capital Development Fund and managed by the Justice Sector Reform Working Group under the direction of the Prime Minister.

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The Council of Ministers, by the drafts presented by the Minister for Public Works, Samuel Marçal, decided to approve the addenda to the following contracts:

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Lastly, the Council of Ministers decided to give full powers to the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Culture, José Honório da Costa Pereira Jerónimo, to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Government of the Kingdom of Cambodia in the area of higher education and science. END

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Meeting of the Council of Ministers

9 am, Government Palace
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Minister of Social Solidarity and Inclusion participates in the 31st Meeting of the ASEAN Sociocultural Community Council

The Minister of Social Solidarity and Inclusion (MSSI), Verónica das Dores, took part in the 31st Meeting of the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Council (ASCC), which took place on March 24th, 2024, in Luang Prabang, Lao People’s Democratic Republic. The theme of the meeting was “ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience”.  Minister of Social Solidarity and Inclusion participates in the 31st Meeting of the ASEAN Sociocultural Community Council

The ASCC, one of the three pillars of the ASEAN Community, is dedicated to strengthening and promoting the social, cultural and human dimensions of cooperation between member countries to improve the quality of life of their populations. IMG 20240324 WA0034 scaled 300x168 Minister of Social Solidarity and Inclusion participates in the 31st Meeting of the ASEAN Sociocultural Community Council

During the meeting, which ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn and the ministers of social affairs of ASEAN and Timor-Leste as an observer country attended, emerging trends, challenges and recommendations in the definition of the ASCC Strategic Plan were discussed, including digitalisation, demographic change, climate change and engagement with the various stakeholders. IMG 20240324 WA0057 scaled 300x168 Minister of Social Solidarity and Inclusion participates in the 31st Meeting of the ASEAN Sociocultural Community Council

Minister Verónica das Dores expressed special greetings and congratulations on behalf of the Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic for its Presidency of ASEAN for the year 2024.

The minister said that “Timor-Leste is gradually gaining trust and learning from the ASEAN member states on the work related to the ASEAN Plan of Action” and expressed her “gratitude to the ASEAN experts for the training provided to national government officials, especially on the socio-cultural side”.  Minister of Social Solidarity and Inclusion participates in the 31st Meeting of the ASEAN Sociocultural Community Council

At a meeting dedicated to improving connectivity and resilience, the Minister emphasised the importance of sharing challenges, lessons learned, and best practices among ASEAN member states, highlighting Timor-Leste’s commitment to contributing to this discussion.

Verónica das Dores also announced “the establishment of an eventual committee in the National Parliament to monitor the process of joining ASEAN”.

Lastly, the Minister reiterated that this meeting represented an “excellent opportunity to increase Timor-Leste’s confidence and capacity in ASCC affairs and strengthen our regional network with ASEAN member states. As an observer, Timor-Leste fully supports all the outcome documents approved by the member states and the regional commitments for their implementation.”

During the 31st ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Council Meeting, participants identified key priorities in two main areas: “Improving Connectivity” and “Improving Resilience”. Concerning Connectivity, economic integration, sustainability, and digital transformation were emphasised, as well as the crucial role of culture and the arts. Concerning resilience, strategic plans, the centrality of ASEAN, environmental cooperation, promoting women’s and children’s rights, and strengthening the health sector were emphasised. Member states showed full support for the Lao Presidency and hope for positive outcomes for ASEAN, including implementing the ASEAN Perspective on the Indo-Pacific.

 

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Timor-Leste shares national experience in integrating gender measures into social protection programmes

On March 21st, 2024, the Government of Timor-Leste, in collaboration with the Government of Chile, the intergovernmental organisation g7+, the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) and the World Food Programme (WFP), organised an event in New York on the sidelines of the 68th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). The theme was “Caring for Change: The Role of Social Protection in Providing Gender-Equitable Care for Nutrition and Hunger Eradication”.

During the event, which included a video speech by the President of the Republic, José Ramos-Horta, Vice Minister of Social Solidarity and Inclusion, Céu Brites, presented the national experience in integrating gender measures into social protection programmes, especially in the fight against malnutrition, poverty and vulnerability. The Permanent Representative of Timor-Leste to the United Nations in New York, Ambassador Dionisio Babo Soares, moderated the debate and opened and closed the event.

Céu Brites, in her speech, said that “Timor-Leste has a comprehensive social protection system made up of 28 programmes”, which “serve various objectives, coordinated by the different ministries, including protecting citizens against socio-economic risks, preventing poverty, mitigating crises, developing human capital, accessing essential services and promoting peace and social cohesion”.

In addition to discussing the various programmes of the Ministry of Social Security and Inclusion (MSSI), such as “old age pension, pension for people with disabilities, maternity/paternity allowance and survivor’s pension”, “universal cash transfers for the elderly and people with disabilities”, “Mother’s Allowance (Bolsa da Mãe) programme”, among other humanitarian and social support for vulnerable individuals and families”, the Vice-Minister highlighted the Ministry of Education’s supervision of programmes “such as School Meals and scholarships” and the Ministry of Health’s management of “the national health system, the integrated community health service (SISCA) and Family Health”.

Among these programmes, the Vice Minister highlighted the Mother’s Allowance (Bolsa da Mãe) Programme, established in 2008. This programme aims to support vulnerable and poor families through cash transfers to support their children’s basic and secondary education. By 2023, the programme registered almost 42,000 primary caregivers, 88% of whom are female heads of household. In 2023, nearly 76,000 children, including children with disabilities, from vulnerable and low-income families received their programme allowances.

Céu Brites highlighted the 9th Constitutional Government’s efforts to “improve and strengthen the Mother’s Allowance Conditional Programme” and the commitment “to consolidate the implementation of the National Social Protection Strategy, including the development of the Social Protection Framework Law”, as well as to “re-evaluate the relevant legislation and the operational manuals of the social pension schemes, and continue to improve gender social protection measures, in particular the role of women as caregivers”.

 

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Government Signs Cooperation Agreement with IFC for Carbon Capture and Storage Project

The Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Francisco da Costa Monteiro, and the Director of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) for Indonesia and Timor-Leste, Euan Marshall, signed a cooperation agreement on March 21st at the ministry’s premises. The agreement includes technical assistance in the development of legal and regulatory frameworks and other areas for the Carbon Capture and Storage Project (CCS). 432876204 263928720108156 1351974328003827085 n 300x206 Government Signs Cooperation Agreement with IFC for Carbon Capture and Storage Project

Euan Marshall, Director of IFC, emphasised that the CCS project, associated with the closure of the Bayu-Undan gas field, represents an innovative and lucrative opportunity for Timor-Leste by managing wells and facilities on the Bayu-Undan platform. He also said that this project is exciting, given that Timor-Leste is preparing to lead CCS technology and the corresponding market in the region. 434036039 263930206774674 759656049795426197 n 277x225 Government Signs Cooperation Agreement with IFC for Carbon Capture and Storage Project

Minister Francisco da Costa Monteiro emphasised that this project is an important initiative to decarbonise the oil industry, thus contributing to sustainable climate management, the control of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and the continuity of oil and gas production.

Regarding the CCS’s benefits, the Minister emphasised its significant economic impact, allowing the active maintenance of the Bayu-Undan platform facilities, creating job opportunities and other socio-economic impacts.

This agreement between the Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources and the IFC follows the work already carried out with relevant organisations to share knowledge on CCS technology. The current focus is on technical assistance for developing legal and regulatory frameworks and other essential aspects of the CCS project.

David Freedman, IFC representative in Timor-Leste, also attended the signing of the agreement.

 

url: http://timor-leste.gov.tl?lang=en&p=

Day off on March 28th, 2024, all day

Presidency of the Council of Ministers

Spokesperson of the Government of Timor-Leste
Ninth Constitutional Government

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Press Release

Day off on March 28th, 2024, all day

Given that Article 7(2)(a) of Law no. 10/2005, of August 10th, as amended by Laws no. 3/2016, of May 25th, and 10/2023, of April 5th, provides that day off may be granted on the occasion of an official commemorative date;

Given that according to Article 5(2)(b) of Law no. 10/2005, of August 10th, as amended by Laws no. 3/2016, of May 25th, and 10/2023, of April 5th, “Holy Thursday, as part of the Christian commemorations of Easter” is an official commemorative date with a variable date;

Given that, this year, Good Friday and Easter fall on March 29th and 31st, respectively;

Given that the religious celebrations of “Maundy Thursday” are of great importance and significance to a large number of Christians, who usually take part in the religious ceremonies that take place on the occasion of Easter;

Given the practice that has been followed previously, by virtue of Article 5(2)(b) of the aforementioned law;

Given that according to the provisions of Article 7(6)(d) of Law no. 10/2005, of August 10th, as amended by Laws no. 3/2016, of May 25th, and 10/2023, of April 5th, it is the Prime Minister’s responsibility to grant a day off to “officials and agents of the ministries or services dependent on them, as well as institutes and bodies integrated into the indirect administration of the State”;

Therefore, pursuant to Article 7(2)(a) and Article 7(6)(d) of Law 10/2005 of August 10th, as amended by Laws 3/2016 of May 25th and 10/2023 of April 5th, I hereby determine the following:

  1. Day off is granted on March 28th, 2024, all day.
  2. This order covers officials, agents, and workers who work in direct State administration services, whether central or deconcentrated or in indirect administration bodies.
  3. The human resources of public services that, due to the nature of their activity, must remain in operation during that period are exempt from the previous paragraph.
  4. Without prejudice to the continuity and quality of the public service to be provided, the senior managers of the services referred to in the previous paragraph must promote the equivalent exemption from the duty of attendance of the respective human resources on a day to be set in due course. END
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The Council of Ministers approved the Draft Law Proposal regarding the Industrial Property Code

The Council of Ministers approved the Draft Law Proposal regarding the Industrial Property Code, presented by the Vice Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister of Economic Affairs, and Minister of Tourism and Environment, Francisco Kalbuadi Lay, and the Vice Minister of Commerce, Augusto Júnior Trindade.

Although Law 14/2022 approved the Code of Copyright and Related Rights, the country’s legislation on industrial property is still not regulated. Article 1223 of the Civil Code addresses this gap, recognising the need for special legislation on industrial property rights.

Industrial property protects inventions, industrial designs, and trademarks, among others, and plays a crucial role in national development by encouraging innovation and creativity. Regulating this sector is critical to promoting the economy and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. It is important to emphasise that industrial property is not only limited to traditional industries but also agricultural and extractive industries and all manufactured or natural products, as follows from the Paris Convention on Industrial Property.

The protection of these rights promotes a favourable business environment for innovation and ensures competitiveness in the global market. Timor-Leste’s participation in the world economy requires the adoption of international industrial property standards, as required by its membership in the World Trade Organisation. This draft law aims to harmonise national practices with international standards, providing a modern and effective code.

The Industrial Property Code consists of 282 articles inspired by comparative law and the international commitments made by Timor-Leste. It comprehensively addresses all issues related to industrial property, facilitating its understanding and use by all those who need to use it in the exercise of their scientific, creative and economic activities.

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Government approves Decree-Law to allow retired military veterans to continue performing non-operational duties and to establish new terms for military leadership positions

The Council of Ministers approved the draft Decree-Law for the first amendment to Decree-Law no. 33/2020, of September 2, regarding the Statute of the Military of FALINTIL – Forças de Defesa de Timor-Leste (F-FDTL), presented by the Minister of Defence, Donaciano do Rosário Gomes. 429639377 262083860271828 3340337742893822077 n 300x200 Government approves Decree Law to allow retired military veterans to continue performing non operational duties and to establish new terms for military leadership positions

As established in the Programme of the 9th Constitutional Government, to achieve the objectives outlined, it is essential to continue developing measures and implementing actions that lead to a fair and dignified retirement process for veteran military personnel who are still on active duty. In this regard, the Government intends to remove the restriction previously imposed on military personnel who reach retirement age, at 60, of no longer being able to perform military duties.

Thus, this legislative intervention aims to ensure that military veterans can, after retirement, continue to fulfil non-operational military functions for a fixed period if they wish. These functions include administrative positions, military social support, teaching and training activities, research, development and innovation, and other areas that preserve Timor-Leste’s military history. This measure aims to preserve the legacy of military veterans, passing on values such as patriotism, courage, and sacrifice to future generations.  Government approves Decree Law to allow retired military veterans to continue performing non operational duties and to establish new terms for military leadership positions

The draft Law Proposal also promotes modifying the duration of the positions of Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces (CEMGFA—acronym in Portuguese) and Vice-CEMGFA, limiting the term of office to three years, with the possibility of renewal for a further two years, under the proposal approved by the Superior Council of Military Defence.

This amendment, approximately four years after implementing the F-FDTL Military Statute, is intended to valorise the contribution of retired military veterans and establish new terms for military leadership positions.

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Seven years later, Timor-Leste rejoins the Coordinating Committee for Geoscience Programmes in East and Southeast Asia

From March 4th to 7th, 2024, the Geosciences Institute of Timor-Leste (IGTL – acronym in Portuguese) and the National Minerals Authority (ANM  – acronym in Portuguese) participated in the 82nd Coordinating Committee for Geoscience Programmes in East and Southeast Asia (CCOP) Steering Committee (SC) Meeting, held in Siem Reap Province, Cambodia. 420405041 122166387950066492 5506281419547859012 n 300x199 Seven years later, Timor Leste rejoins the Coordinating Committee for Geoscience Programmes in East and Southeast Asia

CCOP is a regional organisation whose mission is to promote cooperation in the field of geosciences between the region’s countries. During this meeting, representatives of the member countries met to discuss important issues for the sector, establish action plans, and make strategic decisions for the future of geoscience initiatives in the region. 417543228 122166387752066492 1006508480792930570 n 300x199 Seven years later, Timor Leste rejoins the Coordinating Committee for Geoscience Programmes in East and Southeast Asia

The event, organised by Cambodia’s Ministry of Mines and Energy, was attended by delegates from several member countries, including Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam. It was also attended by the CCOP advisory group and the Director and staff from the CCOP Technical Secretariat. 421354339 122166387812066492 5955460072741535416 n 300x199 Seven years later, Timor Leste rejoins the Coordinating Committee for Geoscience Programmes in East and Southeast Asia

The main highlight of this meeting was Timor-Leste’s return to the CCOP after a seven-year interregnum. This achievement results from collaborative efforts led by the Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Francisco da Costa Monteiro, and the Director of CCOP, Young Joo Lee. As a result, the Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources formally appointed Job Brites dos Santos, President of the Geosciences Institute of Timor-Leste (IGTL), as Permanent Representative, and Rafael Danilson Magno de Araujo, President of the National Minerals Authority (ANM), as Deputy Permanent Representative to the CCOP.

Over the past seven years, this absence from Timor-Leste has resulted in missed opportunities, especially concerning sharing advanced knowledge in geosciences and other essential areas. This return is extremely important to promote knowledge sharing and collaboration between member countries, especially in geosciences, and provide scholarship opportunities for Timorese to pursue master’s and doctoral degrees in geosciences in developed countries such as Japan, South Korea and China.

CCOP member countries warmly welcomed Timor-Leste’s reintegration and expressed hope that the country’s participation in this organisation would benefit the country and the entire region.

 

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Legislative amendment proposal to promote the official recognition of National Liberation Veterans and Combatants

The Council of Ministers approved the draft Law Proposal for the third amendment to Law no. 3/2006, of April 12th, on the Statute of National Liberation Combatants, presented by the Minister of National Liberation Combatants Affairs, Gil da Costa Monteiro “Oan Soru”.

This law Proposal aims to promote the official recognition of National Liberation Veterans and Combatants by awarding decorations and other acts of recognition to all those who fought for the country during the most troubled period of the struggle for independence and national sovereignty, specifically between 1975 and 1978, which corresponds to the period of the Support Bases.

The proposal also aims to correct gaps in the current legislation relating to the granting of pensions to the relatives of the Martyrs of the Liberation of the Country, as well as resolving problems in the implementation of the single cash pension and changing the representative structure of the National Liberation Combatants to contribute to social harmony and national political stability.

url: http://timor-leste.gov.tl?lang=en&p=