Government Concludes National Public Consultation on the Preparation of the 2027 General State Budget
On May 22nd, 2026, the Government, through the Ministry of Finance, in collaboration with relevant ministries and municipal authorities, concluded the national public consultation process to support the preparation of the 2027 General State Budget (GSB 2027), with the aim of gathering public input on development priorities and the provision of public services. 
The process officially began on May 4th, 2026, with consultations held in all municipalities, as well as in Ataúro and the Oe-Cússe Ambeno Special Administrative Region (RAEOA). Following consultations with social partners, the process has now officially concluded with a ceremony held at the Dili Municipal Authority.
The initiative sought to gather citizens’ opinions, aspirations, and perspectives on key development challenges, gaps in public service delivery, and priority areas for action, to ensure that public policies and budget decisions for 2027 reflect the actual needs of communities.
The consultations involved various sectors of society, including village chiefs, civil society organisations, representatives of women and people with disabilities, youth, the private sector, veterans, and religious leaders. The process combined focus group discussions and surveys to collect consistent, representative, and evidence-based data to support government planning and priority-setting.
The public consultation took a practical, action-oriented approach, and the feedback received is expected to be analysed and incorporated into the national planning process and the preparation of the 2027 GSB.
Vice-Minister of Finance Regina de Jesus de Sousa stated that “this consultation is not merely an administrative formality but an important part of the culture of dialogue and collaboration between the Government and local authorities. National development requires collaboration and shared responsibility from the national level down to the village level. The ideas and recommendations presented will be carefully analysed and considered in the preparation of policies and the General State Budget for 2027.”
