Timor-Leste Celebrates International Day of Persons with Disabilities with Ceremonies in All Municipalities
The International Day of Persons with Disabilities was celebrated on December 3rd, 2025, across the country, with activities held in all municipalities and in the Special Administrative Region of Oé-Cusse Ambeno (RAEOA). In the municipality of Manatuto, the celebrations were attended by the Minister of Social Solidarity and Inclusion and Secretary of State for Equality, Elvina Sousa Carvalho. 
Organised by the Ministry of Social Solidarity and Inclusion, in partnership with the Association of Persons with Disabilities of Timor-Leste, this year's initiatives took place under the global theme “Promoting inclusive societies for persons with disabilities to advance social progress” and the national theme “The implementation of the National Action Plan for Persons with Disabilities” (PAN-EhD – acronym in Tetum) 2021-2030. The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at all levels is crucial for Timor-Leste to promote social progress and strengthen inclusion. 
At the ceremony in Manatuto, Elvina Sousa Carvalho congratulated people with disabilities on the occasion and highlighted its importance, stating that “today we celebrate an important day that recognises that people with disabilities have the same rights as any other citizen and are an integral part of the country's inclusive development.” 
The acting minister stressed that the International Day of Persons with Disabilities aims to raise public awareness about the rights of persons with disabilities, ensure equal access to public and private services, remove discriminatory barriers, and promote their full participation in family, community, and society. She also highlighted the importance of valuing talents and abilities to combat stigma and discrimination. 
Elvina Sousa Carvalho reaffirmed the Government's commitment to implementing the National Action Plan for Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030, in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, emphasising that this is a shared responsibility between the Government, the State, and civil society. 
The Secretary of State also noted that 2025 marks the completion of Timor-Leste's Initial Report on the implementation of the United Nations Convention, a document that consolidates information from all ministries and includes vital contributions on policies, practices, challenges, and progress made to enhance the well-being of persons with disabilities and their families.
The celebration in Manatuto featured a thanksgiving mass, a march for inclusion, and the distribution of food supplies. The activities were organised by the Municipal Social Solidarity and Inclusion Centre, in collaboration with the Municipal Administration, local authorities, religious institutions, civil society organisations, and community groups. 
The celebrations occurred simultaneously across all municipalities and in the RAEOA, ensuring local community participation and reinforcing the principle that no person with a disability should be excluded from national inclusion initiatives. 
In Dili, Arlindo Pinto, the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the National Social Security Institute (INSS) and the Social Security Reserve Fund Institute (FRSS), took part in the ceremony at Dom Aleixo Administrative Post, Suco Comoro. He highlighted that “the celebration of International Day of Persons with Disabilities in all municipalities aims to ensure that this commemoration reaches all persons with disabilities in the country.” 
The Dili Municipal Authority, administrators, community leaders, organisations for people with disabilities, development partners, and members of the diplomatic corps attended the ceremony. 
In a message posted on social media, the Minister of Social Solidarity and Inclusion, Verónica das Dores, reaffirmed the “full commitment” of the 9th Constitutional Government to “inclusive development in Timor-Leste, ensuring that no one is left behind in the national development process.” The message emphasises that the implementation of PAN-EhD 2021-2030 is the key instrument for translating the commitments made by Timor-Leste under the UN Convention into tangible policies and actions capable of fostering equality, dignity, and inclusion across the entire country.
