Media Releases
- 25 of September of 2024Meeting of the Council of Ministers on September 25th, 2024Presidency 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 25th, 2024
The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace in Dili and approved the draft Government Resolution, presented by the acting Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Adérito Hugo da Costa, and the President of the Civil Service Commission, Agostinho Letêncio de Deus, which sets the vacancies for the promotion of staff integrated into the General Regime of Civil Service Careers for the year 2024.
Of a total of 817 vacancies for promotion established by this Government Resolution, 47 are for the category of Senior Technician - Grade A, 122 for Senior Technician - Grade B, 188 for Professional Technician - Grade C, 234 for Professional Technician - Grade D, 149 for Administrative Technician - Grade E and 77 for Assistant - Grade F.
According to a proposal from the Civil Service Commission, the Government shall determine the number of vacancies for promotion each year, up to a limit of ten per cent of the total number of staff in each category or professional group.
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An initial assessment of the initiative to create a seniority-based promotion system for civil servants, also presented by the Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and the Civil Service Commission, has been carried out. This initiative aims to guarantee career progression for those who, for various reasons, have not achieved promotions based on merit in recent years, based on criteria such as seniority, performance, age, professional training, work in remote areas, good behaviour and attendance.
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The Secretary of State for Equality, Elvina de Sousa Carvalho, gave a presentation to the Council of Ministers on implementing the gender equality policy and the recommendations of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). The Third Phase of the Maubisse Declaration (2023-2028) was also presented, which continues the previous phases with a focus on the economic empowerment of rural women and people with disabilities. This phase is aligned with the priorities of the 9th Constitutional Government and the recommendations of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).
The main commitments of this phase are organised into three areas: they include Social Capital, which covers social protection, inclusive education and healthcare, with an emphasis on preventing gender-based violence and improving maternal healthcare; Infrastructure, which promotes access to safe and accessible markets, the development of roads, sanitation and adapted public buildings, with an emphasis on inclusive public transport; and Economy, which prioritises agricultural development, female entrepreneurship and access to credit for rural women, strengthening their participation in sectors such as tourism and agriculture. Monitoring mechanisms are also being strengthened to guarantee the implementation of these commitments. Implementation is led by several key government institutions, including relevant ministries and the National Trade Bank of Timor-Leste (BNCTL), which ensure that the planned measures are effectively implemented.
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Intending to resolve the payment of existing debts to hospitals abroad and guarantee the continuity of health services, the Council of Ministers instructed the Minister of Health to conduct a detailed survey of debts, payment deadlines, and the funds available to make these commitments. The Minister of Health must establish prioritisation criteria for payments based on the urgency of the services, risks to public health and the impact on hospital operations.
Among other measures, the Council of Ministers also instructed the Minister of Health to start negotiations with the hospitals to restructure the debts and to propose a budget reinforcement for the health sector to the Ministry of Finance. The implementation of these measures will be monitored by a working group established specifically for this purpose, which will have to submit regular reports to the Council of Ministers on the progress made in settling hospital debts. END - 20 of September of 2024Meeting of the Council of Ministers on September 20th, 2024Presidency 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 20th, 2024
The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace in Dili and reaffirmed its solidarity with the ASEAN countries affected by Typhoon Yagi, whose devastating consequences, including severe flooding and landslides, resulted in hundreds of deaths, especially in Myanmar and Vietnam. In addition, thousands of homes were destroyed, forcing mass displacements of people throughout the region.
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The Council of Ministers also reiterated its deep solidarity with the Republic of Portugal, which is facing the challenges of the recent forest fires in the northern and central regions of the country, which have already consumed more than 120,000 hectares of forest and resulted in the loss of lives. The Government of Timor-Leste conveys its support to the Portuguese people and recognizes the commitment of the thousands of operatives who continue to fight the flames, contributing to the recovery of the damage caused by this tragedy.
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Finally, the Council of Ministers approved the draft Government Resolution, presented by the Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Francisco da Costa Monteiro, on the acquisition of participatory interests in Production Sharing Contracts PSC-TL-SO-T 19-12 and PSC-TL-SO-T 19-13 related to the Bayu-Undan Field.
TIMOR GAP, as the public entity responsible for managing the state's petroleum interests, will now hold a 16% participating interest in the Bayu-Undan field. Santos will hold 36.5%, SK E&S 21%, INPEX 9.6%, Eni 9.2% and finally Tokyo Timor Sea Resources 7.6%. The entry of TIMOR GAP, through its subsidiaries, into the Bayu-Undan project is a good opportunity for the public company responsible for holding and managing Timor-Leste's state-owned assets in the petroleum sector to strengthen its technical expertise in petroleum production projects and accelerate the development of its human resources.
The transaction will be carried out for the symbolic amount of 1 US dollar to be paid to each of the sellers involved, a common practice in operations of this type, which aims to facilitate the transfer of participatory interests and rights, ensuring the continuity of oil operations in the Bayu-Undan Field.
The Bayu-Undan field, located in Timor-Leste's offshore waters around 500 kilometers from Darwin, has been in operation since 2004, generating more than 25 billion US dollars in revenue for the country. The project employs around 350 Timorese in onshore and offshore roles, with 100% of Santos' workforce in Timor-Leste made up of nationals. END - 19 of September of 2024Timor-Leste's Solidarity with the Countries of Central and Eastern Europe Affected by the FloodsPresidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Spokesperson of the Government of Timor-Leste
Ninth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
September 19th, 2024
Timor-Leste's Solidarity with the Countries of Central and Eastern Europe Affected by the Floods
The Government of Timor-Leste expresses its deep solidarity with the people and governments of Central and Eastern European countries facing the devastating floods caused by Storm Boris. The heavy rains have caused major flooding, particularly affecting Poland, Austria, Czechia, Romania, Hungary, and Slovakia. The flooding has had devastating consequences, such as the loss of dozens of lives, the displacement of thousands of people, and significant damage to essential infrastructure.
Storm Boris has already claimed at least 23 lives and caused large-scale destruction, including the flooding of thousands of homes, the destruction of critical infrastructure, massive power cuts and severe disruptions to transport networks. In several Central and Eastern Europe regions, thousands of people had to leave their homes in mass evacuation operations, seeking refuge in safe places.
The 9th Constitutional Government's Spokesperson, Minister Agio Pereira, on behalf of the entire Government, expressed his “solidarity with the peoples and governments of the countries affected by this catastrophe” and stated that “at this difficult time, our thoughts are with the victims and their families, and we commend the tireless efforts of those who remain determined in the search for survivors and in assisting the affected communities”. END - 18 of September of 2024Government of Timor-Leste Expresses Solidarity with Portugal for the Violent Fires Ravaging the CountryPresidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Spokesperson of the Government of Timor-Leste
Ninth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
September 18th, 2024
Government of Timor-Leste Expresses Solidarity with Portugal for the Violent Fires Ravaging the Country
The Government of Timor-Leste expresses its profound solidarity with the people and Government of Portugal following the violent forest fires that have devastated several areas in the northern and central regions of the country in recent days.
These fires have already destroyed more than 62,000 hectares of forest and resulted in the loss of seven lives, four firefighters and three civilians. Thousands of operatives continue their efforts to control the flames, leading the Portuguese Government to declare a state of calamity in the affected municipalities.
The Government of Timor-Leste expresses its sincere condolences to the victims' families and praises the courage of the firefighters and all the authorities involved, who remain steadfast in fighting the fires and supporting the affected communities.
The Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and Government Spokesperson, Agio Pereira, said, “At this time of crisis, we reaffirm our commitment to friendship and cooperation with Portugal. Our thoughts are with all those affected by this tragedy, especially the families of the victims and the brave operatives who are dedicated to protecting lives and property. We are confident Portugal will overcome this challenge with resilience and unity”. ENDS - 18 of September of 2024Government of Timor-Leste expresses solidarity with Southeast Asian countries affected by Typhoon YagiPresidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Spokesperson of the Government of Timor-Leste
Ninth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
September 18th, 2024
Government of Timor-Leste expresses solidarity with Southeast Asian countries affected by Typhoon Yagi
On behalf of the people of Timor-Leste, the Government expresses its deep solidarity with Southeast Asian countries, namely Myanmar, Vietnam, the Philippines, Laos, Thailand and China, which are facing the devastating consequences of Typhoon Yagi. This extreme phenomenon, which is hitting the region, has caused severe flooding and landslides, resulting in more than 500 deaths, according to official figures. Most of the victims are in Myanmar and Vietnam, with more than 290 deaths recorded. The Philippines, which also suffered severe material and humanitarian damage, is mobilising significant efforts to deal with the destruction. Thailand has recorded ten deaths, Laos has been seriously affected, and China has counted two deaths.
Timor-Leste joins in the suffering of the brotherly peoples of the region and conveys its most sincere condolences to the families of the victims, wishing a speedy recovery to those injured and those directly affected by this disaster. The Government stands in solidarity with the emergency and reconstruction efforts already underway in the affected countries, recognising the resilience and strength of their populations at this time of great adversity.
The Government of Timor-Leste also acknowledges the crucial role that relief teams, local authorities, and international organisations are playing on the ground in providing humanitarian assistance and coordinating efforts to mitigate the impacts of the disaster.
The Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and Government Spokesperson, Agio Pereira, emphasized that “the countries of Southeast Asia are today facing a tragedy of immense proportions, and the people of Timor-Leste will not remain indifferent to this suffering. Our shared history and ties of regional cooperation mean that the pain of these countries is also ours. We are ready to offer all possible support”. END - 12 of September of 2024Meeting of the Council of Ministers on September 12th, 2024Presidency 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 12th, 2024
The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace in Dili and attended a presentation by Ambassadors Nelson Santos and Vicky Tchong, from the International Relations Service of the Presidency of the Republic, on the program for the 25th anniversary celebrations of INTERFET (International Force for East Timor).
The program includes a series of lectures on September 13th, and on September 14th the celebrations continue with a parade, a futsal match and a community concert. On September 20th, the 25th anniversary of INTERFET's arrival in East Timor, a solemn ceremony and a futsal festival will be held at the headquarters of the Council of Combatants for National Liberation (CCLN Portuguese acronyms).
The commemorations aim to pay tribute to INTERFET's historic role and the sacrifices made by the Timorese people and the veterans of the International Force Timor-Leste, promoting joint reflection on the period before, during and after the intervention.
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The Council of Ministers took balancing of the apostolic visit of His Holiness Pope Francis to Timor-Leste, highlighting the massive participation of the population and expressing its appreciation and congratulations to the organizing committee, as well as to all the entities involved for the exemplary organization of the Holy Father's visit.
During the three days of his visit, from September 9th to 11th, Pope Francis was warmly welcomed by the population, with thousands of people following him effusively through the streets of Dili. The highlight of the visit was the celebration of Mass in Tasi Tolu, which brought together around 600,000 people. END
- 04 of September of 2024Meeting of the Council of Ministers on September 4th, 2024Presidency 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 4th, 2024
The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace in Dili and approved the draft Government Resolution on supporting the Apostolic Nunciature in Dili in preparation for His Holiness Pope Francis's visit to Timor-Leste.
This Government Resolution authorises purchasing and donating a lift to the Apostolic Nunciature in Dili, which will be installed in its building. The aim is to improve the mobility conditions of His Holiness Pope Francis during his stay in the country between September 9th and 11th, 2024. The maximum cost of purchasing this lift will be US$61,500.
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The draft Decree-Law presented by the Minister of Education, Dulce de Jesus Soares, for the approval of the National Core Curriculum for the Third Cycle of Basic Education, which covers grades 7th, 8th, and 9th, was also approved.
This curriculum, which replaces the 2011 version, aims to unify and modernise basic education to provide quality education in line with contemporary needs. The main objectives include developing scientific and linguistic knowledge and strengthening skills such as analytical-critical thinking, creativity, communication, and valuing cultural traditions. Of particular note is the introduction of the subject ‘Human Fraternity, Morals and Ethics’, inspired by the teachings of Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, to promote peace and harmonious coexistence.
Implementing this curriculum will promote an inclusive approach to diversity and introduce innovative elements such as digital literacy and physical and mental well-being. Schools will have the autonomy to adapt the curriculum according to regional characteristics as long as they respect the guiding principles.
Upon completing this cycle, students are intended to be able to actively participate in society with advanced scientific knowledge while preserving the traditions that shape Timorese identity and developing critical thinking skills to solve problems and make decisions with discernment and responsibility.
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The Council of Ministers approved, after re-examination, the draft Decree-Law on the Statute of Police Officers of the National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL – acronym in Portuguese), which had been approved at the Council of Ministers meeting on May 29th, 2024.
The draft Decree-Law, now revised, maintains the objective of establishing a new PNTL Police Statute to strengthen existing regulations. Among the changes introduced, it is worth highlighting the redefinition of promotion criteria, emphasis on meritocracy, and clarification of incompatibilities in exercising police functions. In addition, leadership positions in the PNTL were adjusted to better respond to the institution's current organisational and operational requirements.
This Drecree-Law reflects the importance of guaranteeing a professional, well-trained and structured national police force, aiming to consolidate the rule of law and promote democracy on national territory.
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The Council of Ministers also approved a Government Resolution congratulating the entire population for their significant participation and collaboration during the 25th-anniversary celebrations of the Popular Consultation. The Government praises the spirit of unity, festivity, and peace that prevailed throughout the country, reflecting the deep commitment of the Timorese to building a prosperous and harmonious future for the country.
In this regard, the Government is appealing to the population to maintain this spirit of peace and unity during His Holiness Pope Francis's visit to Timor-Leste next week, reaffirming the welcoming and fraternal nature of the Timorese nation.
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Lastly, the draft Government Resolution, presented by the Minister of Finance, Santina J. R. F. Cardoso, for the appointment of Joanico Pinto as Commissioner of the Customs Authority was approved, considering his technical capacity and vast professional experience. END - 27 of August of 2024Meeting of the Council of Ministers on August 27th, 2024Approved:more
✅ 1 - Donation of US$ 2.5 million to the Autonomous Region of Madeira to support the recovery of the damage caused by the fire that ravaged the island;
✅ 2 - Authorisation of expenditure on the procurement of a long-term service contract for the Submarine fibre optic cable;
✅ 3 - Award of a public subsidy to Guiding Committee 25 (CO25) as part of the celebrations of the 25th anniversary of the People's Consultation of August 30th, 1999.
Analysed:
➡️ 1 - Preparations for His Holiness Pope Francis's visit to Timor-Leste.
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