Government of Timor-Leste

On May 20^th, 2025, Timor-Leste commemorated the 23rd anniversary of the Restoration of Independence with an official ceremony at the Nicolau Lobato Presidential Palace, hosted by the President of the Republic, José Ramos-Horta, and attended by Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, members of the National Parliament and the Government, the Diplomatic Corps, and the population. Under the theme “Consolidating Peace and Development”, the celebrations lasted for a week, featuring various official, cultural, and religious events across the country. 

In his speech, the President of the Republic paid tribute to the late Pope Francis, referring to him as “our Pope, our Friend, our Shepherd”, and highlighted the significance of his visit to the country in September 2024. “His presence (...) was an invaluable gift, like a sweet perfume that lingers, his words continue to echo in the hearts of the Timorese people, strengthening us in faith, inspiring us with hope and encouraging us in justice and reconciliation”, he said. 

Ramos-Horta also evoked the memory of Father Domingos Maubere, praising his role in defending the most vulnerable and his contribution to the national cause, with an emphasis on his role in organising the Meeting of the National Council of Timorese Resistance (CNRT), held in Peniche, Portugal, in 1998. This meeting marked the unity and reaffirmation of our people's struggle for self-determination and peace. “Today, as we remember him, we renew our commitment to the values for which he lived and fought”, he emphasised. 

In reviewing the country's progress, the Head of State emphasised Timor-Leste's increasing international presence, mentioning its full accession to the World Trade Organisation, formalised in February 2024, and the advancements in the integration process into ASEAN. “We will be a responsible, active and committed member, with simplicity and discretion, always seeking to learn from the other member countries”, he said. He also underscored the hosting of significant international events in the country, such as the Forum on the Law of the Sea, the International Forum on Press Freedom and Artificial Intelligence, and the Regional Seminar on Decolonisation, currently taking place in Dili.

Despite existing challenges, the President of the Republic highlighted the national progress in health, education, electrification, and digital connectivity. “Timor-Leste is a young, imperfect and vibrant democracy — an oasis of peace, tolerance and freedom, a shining light of democracy and tranquillity in this turbulent world”, he said, pointing to reconciliation as a core value of national identity and bilateral relations with Indonesia.

Among the internal progress, he pointed out that “the country has experienced average economic growth of over 10% per year” and recalled that “in 2002, we had only 20 doctors per million inhabitants. Today, we have more than 1,200 for a population of approximately 1,500,000”. He added that “today, more than 98% of the territory is covered [by electricity]” and recalled that “very soon we will be connected globally by a submarine cable, which fuels our hope of achieving full digitalisation and electronic connection to the world”. 

The Head of State also emphasised the continuity of investments in infrastructure and national capacity building, noting that the Government has invested its own resources “in drinking water management, urban waste collection and treatment, and creating a school for training teachers of excellence”.

The President of the Republic also emphasised that the freedom and sovereignty that Timor-Leste enjoys today “is largely, if not entirely, due to our people, but also to our Church”, recognising the historic role of the National Liberation Fighters, the Clandestine Network, the Youth, and the diplomatic front. He also highlighted the decisive contribution of the current Prime Minister, whom he described as "a great political and military strategist, alive among us — Maun Bo'ot Xanana Gusmão”. 

As part of the celebrations marking the Restoration of Independence, a thanksgiving mass was held on May 19^th at the Parish of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, where Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão called on all leaders to provide quality service to the people. “We must serve with honesty, integrity and commitment. It is the people who demand this, because it was the people who fought, it was the people who were the heroes”, he said. 

The celebrations also included the exhibition “Development of Local Governance”, held in Dili Port between May 15^th and 20^th, which highlighted the progress made by municipalities in delivering public services and promoting local culture.