Timor-Leste chaired the 25th Meeting of the CPLP Defence Ministers
On June 2nd, 2026, Defence Minister Donaciano Costa Gomes “Pedro Klamar Fuik” chaired the 25th Meeting of the Ministers of National Defence of the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP – acronym in Portuguese), held in Dili, as part of Timor-Leste’s pro tempore presidency of the organisation. 
The meeting reflected Timor-Leste’s commitment to promoting dialogue and solidarity, strengthening cooperation among CPLP member states in defence and security, and developing their respective armed forces.
At the opening session, the Minister of Defence, on behalf of the Government of Timor-Leste, extended a warm greeting to the ministers and representatives of the member states, highlighting the shared commitment to deepening defence cooperation through initiatives that deliver tangible results.
“Dili welcomes you with friendship, trust, and a spirit of brotherhood. For Timor-Leste, hosting this meeting is particularly significant. We are a young nation, yet one with a rich historical heritage. We value peace, sovereignty, and international solidarity, and we are committed to strengthening our institutions,” said Rear Admiral Donaciano Costa Gomes.
The minister also stressed that the CPLP brings together countries with diverse realities, capabilities, and priorities, united by the Portuguese language, historical ties, and a desire to cooperate towards common goals. He further noted that the Portuguese language is not only a cultural heritage but also an instrument of trust, training, interoperability, and rapprochement among the defence institutions and armed forces of the member states.
In the context of practical cooperation, Timor-Leste highlighted three priority areas for deepening cooperation within the CPLP: military training, maritime security, and the protection of populations from crises, disasters, and emerging threats.
As a member state of the CPLP, Timor-Leste has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting regional stability, strengthening institutional capacities, and sharing knowledge among the community's member states.
During the meeting, ministers and representatives of the member states examined international issues and their political and military implications in the regional context, reviewed and approved documents on the CPLP’s strategic vision, assessed the annual activity report, and discussed the schedule for future initiatives.
Minister of National Defence, War Veterans, and Veterans of the Angolan Homeland, General Lúcio Gonçalves Amaral; the representative of the Brazilian Minister of Defence, Army General Alcio Alves Almeida e Costa; the Mozambican Minister of Defence, Cristóvão Artur Chume; the Deputy Secretary of State for National Defence of Portugal, Nuno Pinheiro Torres; the Minister of Defence of São Tomé and Príncipe, Horácio Castro da Trindade de Sousa; the Executive Secretary of the CPLP, Ambassador Maria de Fátima Jardim; the Director of the CPLP Centre for Strategic Analysis, Captain João Carlos Pires; and delegations from the other member states attended the meeting.
The 25th Meeting of the CPLP Ministers of National Defence was part of Timor-Leste’s Pro Tempore Chairmanship programme and helped strengthen multilateral defence cooperation among Portuguese-speaking countries.
