Media Releases
- 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-LestePresidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Spokesperson of the Government of Timor-Leste
Ninth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Day off on September 1st (all day) and on September 10th, 2026 (afternoon), to mark the repatriation of the mortal remains of Catholic prelates who carried out pastoral duties in Timor-Leste
Whereas the history of Timor-Leste is also, and inseparably, a history of faith, spiritual resilience, and communion between a people and their clergy, and the Catholic Church stood alongside the Timorese people during the darkest moments of their collective history, with the prelates who exercised pastoral duties in the country leaving a legacy that extends far beyond the religious sphere, becoming an integral part of national identity itself;
Whereas Bishop Jaime Garcia Goulart, Bishop José Joaquim Ribeiro, and Monsignor Martinho da Costa Lopes were buried in Portugal, and Bishop Alberto Ricardo da Silva was buried in the Maloa-Ailok Laran Cemetery in Dili;
Taking into account that, on September 1st of this year, the mortal remains of the aforementioned prelates are scheduled to arrive in Timor-Leste, and the Catholic Church, in coordination with the Government, will organise religious ceremonies of tribute;
Whereas Article 7(2)(a) 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, provides that a day off may be granted on the occasion of an official commemorative date;
Given the significance of this historical event for the majority of the national population who profess the Catholic faith;
Taking into account, furthermore, the desire of the State and the Government of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste to receive the mortal remains of the aforementioned prelates with the highest possible distinction on September 1st, 2026;
In order to enable many Catholics to travel to Dili to participate in the major reception ceremony at President Nicolau Lobato International Airport for the mortal remains of Bishop Jaime Garcia Goulart, Bishop José Joaquim Ribeiro, and Monsignor Martinho da Costa Lopes;
Taking into account, also, the commemorative celebrations organised by the Catholic Church on September 10th, in Tasi Tolu, followed by the respective funeral service at Dili Cathedral;
Whereas, pursuant to Article 7(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, it is within the competence of the Prime Minister to grant a day off to “civil servants and agents of ministries or services dependent on them, as well as of institutes and bodies belonging to the indirect administration of the State”;
Thus, 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:
A day off is granted on the following days:
a) September 1st, 2026, all day;
b) September 10th, 2026, from 12:00 pm onwards.
This Order applies to all civil servants, agents, and workers performing duties in the services of the direct administration of the State—whether central or decentralised—or in bodies of the indirect administration.
Personnel of public services who, due to the nature of their work, must remain operational during that period are exempt from the preceding paragraph.
Without prejudice to the continuity and quality of public services to be provided, the senior managers of the services referred to in the preceding paragraph shall grant an equivalent exemption from the duty of attendance to their respective personnel, on a date to be determined in due course. END
- 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, 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 August 12th, 2026
The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace in Dili and was briefed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Bendito dos Santos Freitas, on the 31st Ordinary Meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP – acronym in Portuguese), to be held in Dili on August 19th, 2026, under the pro tempore presidency of Timor-Leste.
The meeting will be an important opportunity to strengthen political and diplomatic coordination and cooperation among Member States, in line with the theme of the Timorese Presidency: “Consolidation of the Democratic Rule of Law and the Challenges Facing the CPLP.” Among the main items on the agenda are the situation in Guinea-Bissau, preparations for the upcoming CPLP Presidency, and the definition of the Organisation’s strategic guidelines for the coming years.
The meeting is also expected to review the Administrative Agreement for the Implementation of the CPLP Multilateral Social Security Convention, which aims to strengthen social protection and the portability of citizens’ social security rights within the Community. A declaration on “Consolidating the Democratic Rule of Law and the Challenges Facing the CPLP” will also be considered, reaffirming the Member States’ commitment to democratic principles, the rule of law, and the strengthening of political and diplomatic coordination.
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Based on a proposal by Vice-Minister of Finance Regina de Jesus, the Council of Ministers decided to authorise Minister of Finance Santina José Rodrigues F. Viegas Cardoso to negotiate with the World Bank for a loan, through the International Development Association (IDA), to finance the Baucau Municipal Capital Water Supply Project.
The project, which is part of the second phase of the World Bank’s regional Water Security and Resilience initiative, aims to increase access to safely managed water supply services in selected areas of Baucau. It calls for the construction and operation of a centralised, climate-resilient system capable of serving approximately 37,000 people by 2031.
With projected funding of US$30 million, the project includes the rehabilitation and expansion of existing water sources and pumping systems, the construction of new water intake facilities, pumping stations, pipelines, treatment and storage facilities, as well as the installation of approximately 7,000 household connections with sub-metering. It also includes measures to strengthen the institutional and operational capacity of Bee Timor-Leste (BTL) through technical assistance, capacity building, and support for infrastructure management and maintenance. The financing will be provided on highly concessional terms, with a 10-year grace period and a 40-year maturity. It will also include an option to defer payments in the event of a national emergency related to climate-related events. Implementation will be carried out by the Ministry of Public Works through the Project Management Unit, with BTL responsible for the operation and maintenance of the infrastructure upon its completion.
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The Council of Ministers, upon a proposal by the Minister of State Administration, Tomás do Rosário Cabral, approved the draft Government Resolution for the appointment by the Government of a member and their alternate to the National Election Commission.
The appointment stems from the expiration of the terms of office of the current members of the National Election Commission, scheduled for August 16th, 2026, and is made pursuant to Law No. 5/2006, of December 28th, as currently in force, which grants the Government the authority to appoint one of the seven members of the Commission, as well as at least one alternate member. For the new term, running from 2026 to 2031, the Government has appointed Mr Élviro Fernandes Moniz as a full member and Ms Odete Maria Belo as an alternate member.
Mr Élviro Fernandes Moniz is recognised for his integrity and experience in the field of electoral administration and currently holds a leadership position at the Technical Secretariat for Electoral Administration. Ms Odete Maria Belo is also recognised for her integrity and experience in the electoral field, having served as a member of the National Election Commission for several years. Neither of them holds leadership positions in political parties or on electoral campaigns.
With these appointments, the Government ensures the continuity and smooth operation of the National Election Commission for the new term, thereby helping to strengthen the independence, credibility, and effectiveness of the oversight of electoral processes in Timor-Leste, in accordance with the applicable constitutional and legal framework.
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The Minister of Health, Elia A. A. dos Reis Amaral, presented information to the Council of Ministers on the implementation of the National Programs to Combat Tuberculosis, Leprosy, and HIV/AIDS in Timor-Leste, including the main results achieved, the challenges identified, and the priorities for action to strengthen prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up for people affected by these diseases.
The presentation also provided an opportunity to review ongoing measures to strengthen the national response, particularly through improved access to health services, timely diagnosis and treatment, epidemiological surveillance, and community awareness-raising. The Government reaffirmed the importance of continuing and strengthening these national programs, with a view to reducing the incidence and impact of these diseases and improving the health and well-being of the population.
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Lastly, upon a proposal by the Vice Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister of Economic Affairs, the Council of Ministers approved the draft Government Resolution mandating the return to the State of the land granted to the company Pelican Paradise Group Limited, under the respective Special Investment Agreement (SIA), approved by Government Resolution No. 133/2021 of December 15. Given that the aforementioned SIA has ceased to be in effect and that the company has been notified of its termination, the land granted as part of the investment must be returned to the State.
The resolution directs the Vice Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister of Economic Affairs to promote and coordinate the necessary actions to ensure the return of the land to the State, which must be handed over free of people and property. The resolution further stipulates that all relevant public entities, within the scope of their respective authorities, adopt the administrative measures necessary to comply with the decision.END - 05 of August of 2026Meeting of the Council of Ministers on August 5th, 2026Approvedmore
✅1 - Vacancies for the promotion of personnel in the General Civil Service Career Track in 2026;
✅2 - First amendment to Decree-Law No. 42/2025 of December 15th, which implements Law No. 3/2025 of April 23rd, on the Framework for the General State Budget and Public Financial Management;
✅3 - National Integrated Plan to Prevent and Combat transnational digital financial fraud networks supported by illicit online scam platforms (“SCAM”), organised cybercrime, and human trafficking;
Analysed:
➡️1 – Presentation on the Pacific Australian Labour Mobility scheme (PALM);
➡️2 – Presentation on preparations for the 19th Conference of Ministers of Justice of the Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CMJPLOP);
➡️3 - Presentation on preparations for the 79th Session of the World Health Organisation Regional Committee for Southeast Asia
➡️4 – Presentation on chronic malnutrition in Timor-Leste. - 29 of July of 2026Meeting of the Council of Ministers on July 29th, 2026Approved:more
✅1 - Suspension of the recruitment of civil servants and public administration employees, as well as the hiring of “temporary workers”;
✅2 - Public subsidy program for media organisations;
✅3 - Framework Program for Cooperation between Timor-Leste and Portugal in the Field of Defence for the period 2025–2028;
✅4 - Memorandum of Understanding with the Portuguese Ministry of Defence on the Portuguese capacity-building mission in the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste;
✅5 - Final Evaluation Report on the Proposal for the Design, Build, and Finance (DBF) Project for the Suai Supply Base (SSB) and Final Evaluation Report on the Proposal for the Design, Build, and Finance (DBF) Project for the Zumalai–Natarbora Highway (Lots 1, 2, and 3).
✅6 – Agreements and Action Plans in the field of tourism with Portugal, Angola, and Mozambique.
Analysed:
➡️1 - Report on Participation in the 30th ASEAN-Republic of Korea Dialogue Meeting; - 22 of July of 2026Message of Condolences on the Passing of Luís RepresasIt is with profound sadness that we learned of the passing of Luís Represas, a long-standing friend of Timor-Leste.more
- 22 of July of 2026Meeting of the Council of Ministers on July 22nd, 2026Approvedmore
✅1 – Naming a bridge in Manatuto “Monsignor Martinho da Costa Lopes”;
✅2 - Legal framework governing the organisation, powers, and operations of the Accounting Council of Timor-Leste;
✅3 - First Amendment to Decree-Law No. 2/2023 of February 15th, concerning the meal allowance for employees working at Integrated Border and Customs Posts;
✅4 - Agreement with the Republic of Vanuatu on Visa Exemption for Holders of Diplomatic and Service Passports.
✅5 - Agreement between the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste and the Republic of Vanuatu on the Technical Cooperation Program for Development.
✅6 - Legislative authorisation regarding crimes and criminal procedure in the field of cybersecurity, and the definition of the legal framework for national cyberspace.
✅7 - Third amendment to Decree-Law No. 18/2012, of April 4th (support for preschool and Senior Secondary (Years 10–12)).
Analysed:
➡️1 - Results of the Minister of State Administration's participation in the UNO Conference on Local Government Reform in Georgia, the official visit to Portugal, and the ceremonies for the repatriation of the remains of the Timorese prelates. - 13 of July of 2026Government expresses its profound sorrow at the passing of Dr. Paula PintoThe Government of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste expresses its profound sorrow at the passing of Dr Paula Pinto, a long-standing advocate for the Timorese cause and a devoted friend of Timor-Leste, who died today in Dili.more
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