Media Releases
- 02 of July of 2025Circular on Rabies DiseaseVice Minister for Institutional Strengthening of Healthmore
Secretary of State for Livestock farming
Secretary of State for Toponymy and Urban Organization Affairs
IX Constitutional Government
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Joint Circular
Dili, June 27th, 2025
About rabies disease
At the moment, rabies has become a concern for all of us, because it threatens public health in our country. Therefore, once again, we would like to inform everyone in our country that this rabies disease has already killed 6 Timorese.
These people were from RAEOA (three people), Bobonaro (two people) and Ermera (one person). These people were bitten by dogs infected with the rabies virus, according to laboratory confirmation.
Therefore, in order to prevent and mitigate rabies, so that the disease does not spread to other municipalities that are currently still free, the Secretary of State for Livestock (SEPE), together with the Ministry of Health (MS), the Ministry of State Administration (MAE), through the Secretary of State for Toponymy and Urban Organization Affairs (SEATOU) are working with the Presidents of Municipal Authorities (PAM), with local authorities, community leaders and religious leaders, and with security institutions (Polícia Nacional de Timor-Leste (PNTL), Falintil - Forças da Defesa de Timor-Leste (F-FDTL)) to monitor and pay attention to this issue, in order to prevent and mitigate the rabies outbreak.
Therefore, on the basis of Article 3(d) and (e), Article 5(1)(a) and (c) and (2), Articles 7, 9 and 10 and Chapter IV (Penalties) (namely Article 9 on fines) of Decree-Law No. 12/2024, of 14 May, and based on Article 8 of Decree-Law No. 33/2008, of 27 August, First Amendment. No. 12/2024, of May 14, on the Restriction of Animal Movement in Urban Areas, and also based on Article 8 of Decree-Law No. 33/2008, of August 27, First Amendment to Decree-Law No. 03/2024, of January 17, on Hygiene and Public Order, it is decided as follows:
To ask people who keep dogs, cats and monkeys to keep them locked up and not to let them run loose in the community, especially in communities that live close to the border, such as the municipalities of Bobonaro, Covalima, Ermera and RAEOA, but also in Dili.
Prohibit the transportation of animals such as dogs, cats and monkeys from one municipality to another, including to and from the Ataúro Administrative Authority (AAA) and RAEOA by land, air and sea, and also from abroad to Timor-Leste. In cases where the Transit Post Guard or the Joint Team finds them, the animals will be seized and disposed of.
Ask people who keep dogs, cats and monkeys to cooperate with the vaccination teams to ensure that these animals are vaccinated, or to voluntarily take them to the vaccination posts set up by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Forestry or to private veterinary clinics in each municipality.
The Joint Team will dispose of unknown or unowned animals (dogs and cats).
If these rules are not complied with and someone is bitten by a dog, cat or monkey, the owners of these animals will be held responsible in accordance with the Decree Law mentioned above.
Dili, June 27th, 2025
José dos Reis Magno, Lic. SP
Vice Minister for Institutional Strengthening of Health
José Vieira de Araújo, Lic. CSH, Lic. Dir., MD, M. AP
Secretary of State for Livestock farming
Germano Santa Brites Dias
Secretary of State for Toponymy and Urban Organization Affairs - 02 of July of 2025Meeting of the Council of Ministers on July 2nd 2025Approved:more
✅ 1 - Authorisation of expenditure and the opening of the respective procurement procedures for project management consulting services for the supervision of the design and construction of the Zumalai–Natarbora highway.
Analysed:
➡️ 1 - Presentation on the status of activities in the oil and mineral resources sector. - 30 of June of 2025Extraordinary Meeting of the Council of Ministers on June 30th 2025Approved:more
1 - Budget Strategy Statement; and
2 - Indicative expenditure ceiling for the 2026 GSB. - 25 of June of 2025Meeting of the Council of Ministers on June 25th 2025Approved:more
1 - Legal Regime for International Marine Scientific Research;
2 - Approved, in principle, the strategic orientation of the Blue Economy Policy and Action Plan; and
3 - Vice Minister for ASEAN Affairs tasked with conducting negotiations on technical adjustments to the Framework of Commitments, within the framework of the accession process to ASEAN service agreements;
Analysed:
1 - Presentation on the progress of Timor-Leste in the process of accession to ASEAN service agreements, namely the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Services (AFAS) and the ASEAN Trade in Services Agreement (ATISA). - 20 of June of 2025Government Congratulates Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão on his 79th Birthday and Honours His Leadership in Serving the CountryThe 9th Constitutional Government extends warm congratulations to Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão on the occasion of his 79th birthday, which is celebrated today, June 20th, 2025.more
In commemorating this symbolic date, the Executive recognises the life journey of an indispensable figure in national history, whose leadership continues to guide Timor-Leste with determination, strategic vision, and a profound commitment to the well-being of all Timorese. - 18 of June of 2025Meeting of the Council of Ministers on June 18th 2025Approved:more
1 - Second amendment to the organic law of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers;
2 - Public Procurement and Contracts Code;
3 - Proposal for offers of market access to ASEAN in the context of the negotiation process for Timor-Leste's accession to ASEAN;
4 - Change in the opening hours of border posts with the Republic of Indonesia;
5 - Authorisation of expenditure for the construction of new facilities for the Betano Polytechnic Institute; and
6 - Full powers to sign a memorandum of understanding with Indonesia for training in transport.
Analysed:
1 - Presentation on the Conference of Luso-Asian Communities - 13 of June of 2025Government of Timor-Leste Expresses Deep Condolences for Victims of Air Crash in AhmedabadThe Government of Timor-Leste expresses its deepest consternation and sorrow for the tragedy that occurred on June 12th, 2025, in the city of Ahmedabad, India, where an Air India plane, bound for London, crashed shortly after take-off, resulting in the death of at least 241 individuals.more
- 11 of June of 2025Meeting of the Council of Ministers on June 11th 2025Approved:more
✅ 1 - Rules for the use of high-risk machinery and equipment;
✅ 2 - Second amendment to the Decree-Law establishing the Institute for Equipment Management and Infrastructure Development Support and approving its By-Laws;
✅ 3 - Second amendment to the Decree-Law regulating the Infrastructure Fund;
✅ 4 - Submission of Timor-Leste's application to host the 9th International Congress on Environmental Education of Portuguese-speaking Countries and Communities (CPLP) – EALUSÓFONA 2027; and
✅ 5 - Fourth Amendment to Government Resolution No. 7/2024 of January 24th, on the Creation of the Executive Committee for the establishment of a Special Economic Development Zone in Oe-Cússe Ambeno.
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