Media Releases
- 06 of November of 2025Extraordinary Meeting of the Council of Ministers on November 6th, 2025Presidency of the Council of Ministersmore
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 6th, 2025
The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace in Dili and, following the devastating impacts of Typhoon Kalmaegi, which caused severe flooding, destruction, and tragic loss of life in the central provinces of the Republic of the Philippines, particularly in the province of Cebu, expressed its deepest sympathy and condolences to the Government and people of the Philippines.
Typhoon Kalmaegi struck the Philippines with winds over 180 km/h and heavy rain that led to flash floods and landslides. According to local authorities, the event resulted in more than 140 deaths, dozens of missing persons, and the destruction of vital infrastructure, including roads, bridges, power grids, and homes. It is estimated that around two million people have been affected, and hundreds of thousands have been displaced.
Following this disaster, the Government of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste had already issued an official statement expressing solidarity and condolences to the Government and people of the Republic of the Philippines. Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão sent a letter to President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr., expressing Timor-Leste's deep sorrow “at the scale of this tragedy and the hardship facing so many families who have lost loved ones, homes and livelihoods”, reaffirming that the Timorese nation “stands in solidarity with the Filipino people at this time of grief and recovery”. The Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and Government Spokesperson, Agio Pereira, also stressed that “the Philippines is currently facing a tragedy of immense proportions, and the people of Timor-Leste are not indifferent to this suffering”, highlighting Timor-Leste's readiness to “offer all possible support”.
Following the declaration of a state of national calamity by the President of the Philippines on November 6th and the subsequent appeal for international solidarity, the Council of Ministers approved the Government's draft resolution authorising, within the constitutional and legal framework, the participation of FALINTIL–Defence Forces of Timor-Leste (F-FDTL) in a humanitarian support and civil protection mission in the Republic of the Philippines.
The Government's decision is grounded in the international commitments undertaken by Timor-Leste under the framework of the United Nations and the Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN), as well as the provisions of the National Defence Law and the Organic Statute of the F-FDTL, which grant legitimacy to the Armed Forces for participating in humanitarian and emergency missions, in collaboration with other countries and international organisations.
The Council of Ministers also decided to urgently commence constitutional and legal procedures for deploying the F-FDTL in the aforementioned mission, including preparing engagement rules, under the responsibility of the Minister of Defence, in accordance with Timor-Leste's international commitments and the Humanitarian and Emergency Support Strategy, approved in January 2025.
Under the National Defence Law, the deployment and commitment of the F-FDTL in peace support and humanitarian missions shall be determined by the Government and the President of the Republic, following consultation with the National Parliament and the Superior Council of Defence and Security. END - 06 of November of 2025Government of Timor-Leste Expresses Solidarity with the Philippines Following the Devastating Effects of Typhoon KalmaegiPresidency of the Council of Ministersmore
Spokesperson of the Government of Timor-Leste
Ninth Constitutional Government
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Dili, November 6th, 2025
Press Release
Government of Timor-Leste Expresses Solidarity with the Philippines Following the Devastating Effects of Typhoon Kalmaegi
The Government of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste expresses its deepest sympathy and condolences to the Government and people of the Republic of the Philippines following the devastation caused by Typhoon Kalmaegi, which resulted in severe flooding, destruction, and tragic loss of life in the central provinces of the country, particularly in Cebu province.
In a letter sent to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão expressed that Timor-Leste is “deeply saddened by the scale of this tragedy and the hardship facing so many families who have lost loved ones, homes and livelihoods”.
The Head of the Government also emphasised that the “Timorese nation stands in solidarity with the Filipino people at this time of grief and recovery”, reiterating “the regional friendship and cooperation” that unite the two countries and the “great admiration for the Filipino people”.
The Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and Government Spokesperson, Agio Pereira, stated that “the Philippines is currently facing a tragedy of immense proportions, and the people of Timor-Leste are not indifferent to this suffering. Our history and ties of regional cooperation mean that the pain of the Philippines is also ours. We are ready to offer all possible support”.
The Government Spokesperson added that “our thoughts are with the victims and their families, and we recognise the tireless efforts of the rescue teams and professionals who continue to provide assistance to the populations affected by this disaster”.
The Government of Timor-Leste reaffirms its dedication to regional solidarity and cooperation among the peoples of Southeast Asia, expressing confidence in the Philippines' ability to recover and rebuild after this natural disaster. END - 04 of November of 2025Meeting of the Council of Ministers on November 4th 2025Approved:more
✅ 1 - Proposal to ratify the Declaration of Admission of Timor-Leste to ASEAN.
✅ 2 - Ratification of the Defence Cooperation Agreement between the Governments of Malaysia and Timor-Leste.
✅ 3 - Authorisation of expenditure for the “Development of the Greater Sunrise gas field and to ensure that the gas pipeline comes to Timor-Leste”.
✅ 4 - Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Singapore for cooperation in the field of education. - 30 of Outubro of 2025INSS launches new Portal for Employers — Remuneration statements will be submitted exclusively online as of January 1, 2026MINISTRY OF SOCIAL SOLIDARITY AND INCLUSIONmore
NATIONAL SOCIAL SECURITY INSTITUTE
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Press Release
Dili, October 30th, 2025
INSS launches new Portal for Employers — Remuneration statements will be submitted exclusively online from January 1st, 2026
The National Social Security Institute (INSS) has launched a new publicly accessible portal that facilitates relations between employers and Social Security and modernises the services provided.
The Portal allows employers to easily and securely register and submit remuneration statements online, register new employees, report the termination of employee contracts, issue payment slips directly, and submit the respective proof of payment.
The INSS informs that as of January 1st, 2026, only Remuneration Declarations submitted through the new Portal will be accepted.
In this regard, the INSS requests that all employers—including companies, associations, public entities, and services—contact the INSS for accreditation on the new Portal by November 30th, 2025. Accreditation is a necessary condition for using the features available and for submitting declarations within the legal deadlines.
It is also noted that the INSS, to support this process, holds information and training sessions on the new Portal every Monday starting at 9 a.m.
For further information and clarification of any questions, please contact the INSS, through the customer service department or via:
Email: segurança.socialtl@gmail.comor info@segurancasocial.gov.tl
Phone: +670 7839 7378 - 28 of Outubro of 2025Government Urges Public to Welcome the Arrival of the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister Following Timor-Leste's Full Membership of ASEANThe Government encourages all civil servants, other State employees, and the public to take part in the national celebration marking Timor-Leste's full membership of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), while welcoming the arrival in Dili of Their Excellencies the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister. The Government invites everyone to participate by wearing the ASEAN-themed T-shirt (Together We Rise) or, alternatively, a white T-shirt.more
- 27 of Outubro of 2025 Day off on October 31, 2025, on the occasion of the celebration of “All Saints’ Day” and “All Souls’ Day”Therefore, under the provisions of paragraph b) of paragraph 2 and paragraph d) of paragraph 6 of article 7 of Law no. 10/2005, on August 10, amended by Laws no. 3/2016, of May 25, and 10/2023, on April 5, the Prime Minister, through the Dispatch no. 22/PM/X/2025, on October 27, determined the following:more
1. A day off is granted on October 31, 2025, for the entire day.
2. This order covers all employees, agents and workers who work in the State's direct administration services, whether central or decentralized, or in indirect administration bodies.
3. The human resources of public services that, due to the nature of the activity they carry out, must remain in operation during that period are excluded from the previous number
4. Without prejudice to the continuity and quality of the public service to be provided, the top managers of the services referred to in the previous number must promote the equivalent exemption from the duty of attendance of their respective human resources, on a day to be determined in due course. - 26 of Outubro of 2025Timor-Leste Proudly Joins the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)Today, the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste has officially acceded to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), marking a historic milestone in the nation’s journey of independence and regional and global integration.more
- 23 of Outubro of 2025Government of Timor-Leste Congratulates Japan's New Prime Minister, Sanae TakaichiThe Government of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste congratulates Sanae Takaichi on her appointment and inauguration as Prime Minister of Japan on October 21, 2025, becoming the first woman in Japanese history to hold this position.more
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