22 of November of 2025Extraordinary Meeting of the Council of Ministers on November 22nd, 2025Presidency of the Council of Ministers
Spokesperson of the Government of Timor-Leste
Ninth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Extraordinary Meeting of the Council of Ministers on November 22nd, 2025
The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace in Dili and decided to grant full powers to the Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Francisco da Costa Monteiro, to sign, on behalf of the Government, the Cooperation Agreement with Woodside Energy, Ltd. on the TLNG1 (Timor-Leste Liquefied Natural Gas from Timor-Leste) and the Greater Sunrise Field Pipeline and Development.
This agreement is part of the Government's strategic efforts to enhance the value of national natural resources, in accordance with the 2011-2030 Strategic Development Plan, and marks a significant step towards the joint technical, commercial, and regulatory assessment of a future LNG facility in Timor-Leste. Negotiations carried out by the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources with Woodside Energy, the rights holder for the Greater Sunrise field, have established the necessary conditions to formalise this cooperation, which will facilitate further studies essential to the project's development.
With this decision, the Government is advancing with the realisation of a vision that aims to strengthen national energy industrialisation, promote economic diversification, and ensure that the use of Greater Sunrise resources directly contributes to national development.
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The Council of Ministers approved the draft Government Resolution, also presented by Minister Francisco da Costa Monteiro, which approves the Terms of Reference for the Mining Public Tender for the Granting of Prospecting and Research Licences for Metallic Minerals, Gems, Industrial Minerals, Radioactive Ores, and Rare Earth Ores.
The terms of reference now approved establish the necessary framework for conducting public tenders in the mineral resources sector, in accordance with the Mining Code, ensuring clear and transparent rules that align with international best practices. Following the opening of areas for mining activity, decided by the Government in March 2023, this decision aims to encourage new investment opportunities and foster the sector's sustainable development.
The public tender is expected to be launched in the last week of November. The evaluation of bids will take place between June and July 2026, with the results announced in July and licences issued in August 2026.
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The Council of Ministers decided to grant full powers to the Minister of Social Solidarity and Inclusion, Verónica das Dores, to sign, on behalf of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, the Administrative Agreement for the Application of the Multilateral Social Security Convention of the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP).
This Administrative Agreement, scheduled to be signed on December 3rd, 2025, in Cape Verde, establishes the operational procedures necessary for the implementation of the CPLP Multilateral Social Security Convention.
The Convention aims to promote the extension of social protection coverage to ensure the portability of social rights for citizens who settle in different countries within the Community. It marks a significant milestone in building citizenship among the peoples of the Community, providing real and tangible benefits to its citizens.
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The Council of Ministers approved the Government's draft resolution, presented by Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, to extend the term of office of the President and Directors of the Special Administrative Region of Oe-Cússe Ambeno (RAEOA) until December 31st, 2025.
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Lastly, after analysing the presentation by Vice Minister for Institutional Strengthening of Health, José dos Reis Magno, on the procedures for referring patients abroad for medical treatment and the amount of outstanding debts to international hospitals, the Council of Ministers decided to authorise expenditure of US$10 million to pay off debts owed to these hospitals. END
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