Government of Timor-Leste

The Prime Minister is the head of Government and Presides to the Council of Ministers. Also under his responsibility is the Ministry of Defense and Security, and seven autonomous Secretary of State. The two Vice-Prime Ministers works in coordination with the Prime Minister in specifically assigned areas. Under the Ministry of Defense and Security there are the Secretary of State for Defense and the Secretary of State for Security. The seven autonomous Secretary of State are the S.S. for the Council of Ministers, the S.S. for Parliamentary Issues, the S.S. of Natural Resources, the S.S. for Professional Training and Employment, the S.S for Energy Policy, the S.S. of Youth, and the S.S. for Promotion of Equality. Among other bodies, the Office of the Prime Minister oversees the Truth and Friendship Commission, the Office of the Inspector General, and the National Service of State Security.

The Vice-Prime Minister for Social Issues assists the Prime Minister in the supervision of the general policy for the area of Social Affairs, taking specific responsibility for the work and activities of the Secretary of State for Youth and Sports; of the Secretary of State for Professional Training and Employment and of the Secretary of State for the Promotion of Equality. As far as natural disasters are concerned, the Vice-Prime Minister for Social Affairs takes responsibility for inter-ministerial coordination. The Vice-Prime Minister for Social Affairs coordinates the Government in the absences and impediments of the Prime Minister, if requested, and participates in the fortnightly coordination meetings which are organized and conducted by the Prime Minister.

The Vice-Prime Minister for Management and State Administration is mainly responsible for assisting the Prime-Minister in the management of State Administration, especially in the areas of General Inspection and Government Auditing. He also takes responsibility for supervising the management of the continuous renovation of the Ministries, namely as far as provision and contracts are concerned; ensuring the supervision of the execution process of the projects of the State’s physical structures; ensuring a good inter-ministerial coordination; coordinating the Secretariat for the establishment of the Public Service Commission; coordinating the Decentralization Process; and ensuring the cooperation with the Anti-Corruption Commission. The Vice-Prime Minister for Management and State Administration coordinates the Government in the absences and impediments of the Prime Minister, if requested, and participates in the fortnightly coordination meetings which are organized and conducted by the Prime Minister.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is responsible for the design, implementation and assessment of the policies defined by the Council of Ministers for the areas of international diplomacy and cooperation, consular functions, and the promotion and defense of the interests of Timor-Leste and of the Timorese living abroad. The Ministry’s structure includes two Secretary of State which, at present, await the nomination of the incumbents (International Cooperation; Migrations and Communities).

The Ministry of Finance is responsible for the design, implementation and assessment of the policies defined by the Council of Ministers for the areas of budget and finance annual planning and monitoring. Among others the Ministry oversees the following departments: National Directorate of Treasure, Tax Services, Tax policy and Macro-economics Unit, National Directorate of Planning and Coordination of External Aid, National Directorate of Customs, National Directorate of Supply and Assets Management, Directorate of Procurement, and National Directorate of Statistics.

Website: www.mof.gov.tl

The Ministry of Justice is responsible for the design, implementation and assessment of the policies defined by the Council of Ministers for the areas of justice and human rights. It is also responsible for other Departments like the Directorate of Land and Property, Registries and Notary, Public Council’s Office, the Center for Law Studies and the Directorate of Prison Services and Social Rehabilitation.

Website: www.mj.gov.tl

The Ministry of Health is responsible for the design, implementation and assessment of the policies defined by the Council of Ministers for the areas of health and pharmaceutical activities. The Minister has one Vice-Minister of Health. The Ministry is responsible for the Central Health Services, the National Laboratory, the Institute of Health Sciences, National Hospitals and District Health Services.

The Ministry of Education is responsible for the design, implementation and assessment of the policies defined by the Council of Ministers for the areas of education and culture, as well as science and technology. The Minister has one Vice-Minister of Education and one Secretary of State for Culture. It oversees the following departments: Inspector General, Directorate of Policy, Planning and Development, Directorate of Technical High Learning, the National University, Directorate of School Accreditation and Administration, Infrastructure Unit, Directorate of Adult Education and Non Formal Education, Directorate for Professional Training, and the National Library.

The Ministry of State Administration and Territorial Planning is responsible for the design, implementation and assessment of the policies defined by the Council of Ministers for the areas of public administration, local and regional power, and administrative arrangement of the territory. The Minister has two Secretary of State, namely the S.S. for Oecussi and the S.S. for Administrative Reform. The Ministry oversees the following departments: National Institute of Public Administration, National Directorate of Public Service, National Printing, National Archive, technical Secretariat of Electoral Administration, National Directorate of Local Development and Territorial Management.

Website: estatal.gov.tl

The Ministry of Economy and Development is responsible for the design, implementation and assessment of the policies defined by the Council of Ministers for the areas of development of micro-finances and cooperatives, as well as environment. The Minister has one Vice-Minister for Economy and Development and two Secretary of State, namely the S.S. for Rural and Cooperative Development and the S.S. for Environment. The Ministry oversees the following departments, among others: Institute for Business Development Support, Institute for Promotion of Investment and Development, and the National Directorate of Research for National Development.

The Ministry of Social Solidarity is responsible for the design, implementation and assessment of the policies defined by the Council of Ministers for the areas of social assistance, social security and community reinsertion. The Minister has three Secretary of State, namely the S.S. for the Issues of ex-Combatants of National Liberation, the S.S. of Social Assistance and Natural Disasters and the S.S. of Social Security. The Ministry is also responsible for Commission for Tribute to ex-Combatants of National Liberation.

The Ministry of Infrastructure is responsible for the design, implementation and assessment of the policies defined by the Council of Ministers for the areas of civil works, urbanization, water and power distribution, civil land, sea and air transportation, auxiliary communications services, including postal, telegraphic and telephonic services, use of the radio electric space, meteorological services and management of related State equipment. The Ministry integrates three Secretary of State, namely the S.S. of Public Works, S.S. of Transports, Equipments and Communications, and the S.S of Electricity, Water and Urbanization. The Ministry is also responsible for the Regulatory Authority for Transports and communications, the Directorate of Computers and Technology, the Civil Aviation Authority, and the Directorate for Roads, Bridges and Flood Control.

The Ministry of Tourism, Commerce and Industry is the Government’s main body responsible for the design, execution, coordination and assessment of the policies defined and approved by the Council of Ministers for the areas of tourism and economic, commercial and industrial activities. The Minister has one Secretary of State for Tourism. The Ministry oversees the National Directorate for Research and Development, the National Directorate for External Commerce, the National Directorate for Domestic Commerce and the National Directorate for Industry.

Website: www.turismotimorleste.com

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries is responsible for the design, implementation and assessment of the policies defined by the Council of Ministers for the areas of agriculture, forestry and fisheries. The Minister has three Secretaries of State, namely S.S. for Agriculture and Arborculture, S.S. for Fisheries, S.S. for Animal Husbandry. Among others, the Ministry oversees the following Departments: Agro-Commerce, Researche and Special Services, Quarantine and Bio-Security, Agricultural Education and Training, Agricultural Community Development, the Directorate of Policy and Planning and the National Directorate of Forests.

Assists the Minister of Finance in the matters delegated by him, for the development and execution of the policies defined by the Council of Ministers, concerning the development of the annual planning and monitoring, budget and finance.

Website: www.mof.gov.tl

Assists the Ministry of Health in the areas and issues delegated on the Vice-Minister regarding the design, implementation and assessment of the policies defined by the Council of Ministers for the areas of health and pharmaceutical activities.

Assists the Ministry of Health in the areas and issues delegated on the Vice-Minister regarding the design, implementation and assessment of the policies defined by the Council of Ministers for the areas of education and culture, as well as science and technology.

Assists the Minister of Economy and Development in the matters delegated by him, for the development and execution of the policies defined by the Council of Ministers, concerning the development of the micro-finance and cooperative sectors, as well as the environment. It is assisted by the Secretaries of State of Rural Development and Cooperatives, and of Environment.

Assists the Minister of Infrastructures in the matters delegated by him, for the development and execution of the policies defined by the Council of Ministers, concerning (civil) land, sea and air transportation, and auxiliary services, communications, the use of radio-electric spectrum, meteorological services and informatics, as well as the management of State equipment, heavy machinery and vehicles.

The Office of the Secretary of State for the Council of Ministers is the central Government body for providing judicial support and consultation to the Council of Ministers and Prime Minister, being responsible for coordinating the legislative procedure within the Government, ensuring the internal judicial coherence and harmony of the legislative acts approved in Council of Ministers. The Secretary of State acts as spokesperson for the Council of Ministers and is responsible for responding, in collaboration with the respective ministry, to procedures aiming to verify legislation constitutionality and legality. The media bodies belonging to the State fall under his authority.

The Secretary of State for Defence assists the Ministry of Defense and Security in the areas and issues delegated on the Secretary of State regarding the design, implementation and assessment of the policies defined by the Council of Ministers for the areas of national defence and military cooperation. Is also responsible for proposing the policy and drafting the regulation projects required for the areas under its responsibility; Oversees military maritime and aerial navigation; and sets up collaboration and coordination mechanisms with other Government bodies responsible for connected areas.

The Secretary of State for Security assists the Ministry of Defense and Security in the areas and issues delegated on the Secretary of State regarding the design, implementation and assessment of the policies defined by the Council of Ministers for the areas of public security, criminal investigation and immigration is also responsible for proposing the policy and drafting the regulation projects required for the areas under its responsibility; Is responsible for the police forces of Timor-Leste and sets up collaboration and coordination mechanisms with other Government bodies responsible for connected areas.

The Secretary of State for Youth and Sports is responsible for designing, executing, coordinating and assessing the policy as defined and approved by the Council of Ministers, for the areas of promotion of the youth’s well-being and development. It is responsible for proposing the policy and preparing the draft regulatory procedures for the areas of Youth and Sports, ensuring the implementation and execution of the legal and regulatory framework for Youth and Sports, and promoting youth-oriented activities, especially in the fields of sports, arts and culture.

The Secretary of State of Natural Resources is responsible for the areas of mineral and natural resources, including oil and gas, as well as the activities of the mining, petroleum and chemical industries. The Secretary of State ensures a transparent management of the resources, in conformity with international practises and in accordance with national legislation; establishes contacts with international investors so as to attract investment in national territory, in the areas under its responsibility; supervises production sharing contracts, authorizations and approvals; and promotes new explorations of oil resources and develops those already in existence.

Website: www.anp-tl.org

The Secretary of State for Energy Policy is responsible for designing, executing, coordinating and assessing the policy as defined and approved by the Council of Ministers, for the areas of energy resources. It also defines and proposes guidelines on energy policy to the Government. It takes the responsibility for developing the legal and regulatory framework for the activities related to energy resources; for regulating, in coordination with other ministries, operators in the area of power generation; for developing studies on the capacity of energy resources and alternative energies; for coordinating and promoting the management and the updating of the infrastructures in the areas of power generation; and for ensuring the coordination of the energy sector and stimulating complementarily between its various modes, as well as their competitiveness.

The Secretary of State for Professional Training is responsible for designing, executing, coordinating and assessing the policy as defined and approved by the Council of Ministers, for the areas of professional training and employment. It is also charged with proposing the policy and drafting regulations for the areas of labor, professional training and employment; promoting and regulating professional training; encouraging the hiring of Timorese workers abroad; regulating and overseeing the work performed by foreigners in Timor-Leste; overseeing the compliance with the legal provisions concerning labor; and promoting and overseeing Health, Safety and Hygiene in the work place.

The Secretary of State for the Promotion of Equality is responsible for designing, executing, coordinating and assessing the policy as defined and approved by the Council of Ministers, for the areas of promotion and defense of gender equality. It is responsible for supporting the design of global and sector-based policies regarding the promotion of gender equality and the strengthening of the role of Timorese women in society.

Assists the Minister of Education in matters delegated by him, for the development and execution of the policies defined by the Council of Ministers, concerning culture.

Website: www.cultura.gov.tl

Assists the Minister of State Administration and Territorial Management in matters delegated by him, for the development and execution of the policies defined by the Council of Ministers, concerning public administration, local and regional power, and territorial management for the Oecussi region.

Assists the Minister of State Administration and Territorial Management in matters delegated by him, for the development and execution of the policies defined by the Council of Ministers, concerning public administration.

Assists the Minister of Economy and Development in matters delegated by him, for the development and execution of the policies defined by the Council of Ministers, concerning environment.

Assists the Minister of Social Solidarity in the matters delegated by him, for the development and execution of the policies defined by the Council of Ministers, concerning the combatants and the martyrs of National Liberation, namely with the Commission on Tribute, Registration and Supervision of Resources.

Assists the Minister of Social Solidarity in the matters delegated by him, for the development and execution of the policies defined by the Council of Ministers, concerning social assistance and reinsertion, and natural disasters.

Assists the Minister of Social Solidarity in the matters delegated by him, for the development and execution of the policies defined by the Council of Ministers, concerning social security.

Assists the Minister of Infrastructures in the matters delegated by him, for the development and execution of the policies defined by the Council of Ministers, concerning public works.

Assists the Minister of Infrastructures in the matters delegated by him, for the development and execution of the policies defined by the Council of Ministers, concerning urbanization, water distribution and electric power.

Assists the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries in the matters delegated by him, for the development and execution of the policies defined by the Council of Ministers, concerning agriculture and forestry.

Assists the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries in matters delegated by him, for the development and execution of the policies defined by the Council of Ministers, concerning fisheries.

Assists the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries in matters delegated by him, for the development and execution of the policies defined by the Council of Ministers, concerning livestock.