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Presidency of the Council of Ministers

Spokesperson of the Government of Timor-Leste

Ninth Constitutional Government

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April 30^th, 2026

Press Release

Timor -Leste mourns the death of John M. Miller

The Government of Timor-Leste expresses its deep sorrow at the recent passing of John M. Miller in New York, co-founder and former National Coordinator of the East Timor and Indonesia Action Network (ETAN), and a longtime friend of the Timorese.

John M. Miller has dedicated several decades to advocating for self-determination, human rights, and justice for the people of Timor-Leste. In 1991, following the Santa Cruz Massacre, the East Timor Action Network (ETAN) was established. He was a co-founder of the organisation, which played a key role in raising international awareness of the situation in Timor-Leste and mobilising support from civil society, the media, and policymakers in the United States.

Throughout his career, John M. Miller contributed to awareness-raising and advocacy campaigns defending the rights of the Timorese people and seeking recognition of their right to self-determination. In addition to ETAN, he was a member of the War Resisters League, War Resisters International, and other peace organisations, and he established the Foreign Bases Project, dedicated to opposing U.S. militarism in other countries.

Timor-Leste has recognised the work of John M. Miller and ETAN. In 2003, Miller was honoured with the Order of Timor on ETAN’s behalf. In 2012, on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Restoration of Independence, ETAN was awarded the Order of Timor-Leste in recognition of its contribution to national liberation.

Agio Pereira, Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and Government Spokesperson, on behalf of the Government and the people of Timor-Leste, extends his “deepest condolences to the family, friends, and all who shared his journey” and assures them that “his voice in defence of the Timorese people, as well as his warm friendship and unwavering support in the struggle, will never be forgotten.”

The Government of Timor-Leste pays tribute to the memory of John M. Miller and to his longstanding solidarity with the Timorese people. END

Presidency of the Council of Ministers

Spokesperson of the Government of Timor-Leste

Ninth Constitutional Government

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Press Release

Meeting of the Council of Ministers on April 30th, 2026

The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace in Dili and, in accordance with the proposal presented by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Forests, Marcos da Cruz, decided to authorise expenditure of approximately US$10.25 million for the construction contract for the Laueli irrigation project in the municipality of Ermera.

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At the proposal of the Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Francisco da Costa Monteiro, the Council of Ministers decided to authorise expenditure of US$41 million for the year 2026 to execute a Grant Agreement between the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources and TIMOR GAP, EP.

The expenditure stems from the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources’ budget allocation under Programme A17, which aims to “Develop Policies and Best Practices in the Industry to Ensure Maximum Participation of Timorese in the Sector’s Activities.”

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The Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources also gave a presentation on the memorandum of understanding with the Government of Brunei Darussalam to strengthen cooperation in the energy sector, which is due to be signed next week.

This agreement establishes a framework for cooperation between the two countries, focusing on knowledge sharing, technical capacity building, and the promotion of investment opportunities, particularly in the oil and gas sectors.

The planned cooperation includes training activities and the exchange of experiences, joint research, exploration, development, and production studies, as well as the exchange of best practices in energy policies. The agreement also allows for the development of other initiatives to be jointly defined by both parties.

Following the signing, the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources will ensure the implementation of the memorandum’s provisions, in coordination with the relevant authorities and in accordance with applicable national law.

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Lastly, the Vice Minister for Health Institutional Strengthening, José dos Reis Magno, delivered a presentation on the Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Brunei Darussalam on cooperation in the health sector, which is due to be signed next week.

The primary objective of this memorandum of understanding is to establish a framework for cooperation between the two countries, based on mutual respect and benefit, to strengthen health services and develop the sector.

Key areas of cooperation include health services, disease prevention and control, human resource development, and strengthening hospital infrastructure. Cooperation may include sharing information and expertise, exchanging specialists, providing technical training, organising seminars, and developing joint projects. END

9.00 am, Government Palace

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14th Meeting of Education Ministers from CPLP (Community of Portuguese Language Countries) member states this May in Dili, under the theme: “Education—Democratic Values and Civic Participation, Paths for the Strengthening of CPLP Societies.”

May, 6th and 7th, 2026

Timor-Leste is participating in the 9th Digital Summit, taking place on April 29^th and 30^th, 2026, in Fuzhou, Fujian Province, in the People’s Republic of China, through António Ramos da Silva, the Delegate to the Permanent Secretariat of the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-Speaking Countries (Forum Macao). 

The summit brings together government representatives, experts, and organisations from the technology sector to highlight advances in the digital field, promote innovation, and strengthen international cooperation. The 2026 edition is being held under the theme “Accelerating innovation and development in digital technologies and advancing the development of Digital China.”

The programme includes more than 50 events focused on dialogue and exchange, centred on emerging technologies and the presentation of technical findings, including initiatives developed by academic institutions and companies in the sector.

On the first day, the Timorese representative will attend a side event on the digital economy and visit the exhibition hall. On April 30^th, visits to several technology companies are scheduled to learn about solutions and applications in digital transformation.

Timor-Leste’s participation aligns with the country’s national priorities for developing the digital sector, particularly within the framework of the “Timor Digital 2032” strategic plan and the preparation of the 2026–2036 Digital Transformation Strategy, for which a public consultation was held on April 16^th and 17^th, organised by the Ministry of Transport and Communications.

 

On April 28^th, 2026, in Oe-Cússe, the Minister of State Administration, Tomás do Rosário Cabral, officially swore in the new leadership of the Oe-Cússe Ambeno Special Administrative Region Authority (RAEOA – acronym in Portuguese) during a ceremony held at the Alfândega Palaban Convention Hall. 

The new structure comprises the Authority’s President, three Regional Secretaries, and 21 Regional Service Directors, making a total of 24 members responsible for overseeing government services in the region.

Régio da Cruz Salu was sworn in as President of the RAEOA Authority. Salvador da Cruz (Administration and Finance), Francisco Loca (Planning and Development), and Merita Marques Lafo (Social Affairs and Community Organisation) filled the Regional Secretaries’ positions.

The Regional Service Directors for Administration and Human Resources, Integrated Planning and Development, Finance, Assets and Logistics, Procurement, Support for Non-Governmental and Community Organisations, Education, Health, Food Security, Public Works, Water and Environmental Sanitation, Agriculture, Market and Tourism, Social Action, Civil Protection and Disaster Management, Civil Registry and Notary Services, Transportation and Communications, Trade and Industry, Land and Property, as well as the Planning and Inspection Agencies, were also sworn in.

The appointment of the new leadership follows the Council of Ministers’ decision on April 22^nd, which approved the dismissal of the previous leaders and the appointment of new officials to positions within the RAEOA Authority.

In his remarks, the Minister of State Administration instructed the new officials to ensure the smooth operation of services and to prepare for this year’s Citizens’ Consultation, emphasising the need to engage closely with communities and to carry out their duties in the public’s service.

The Minister also noted that Decree-Law No. 20/2026 provides for the termination of ZEEDOA’s (Special Economic Development Zone in Oe-Cússe Ambeno) status within the RAEOA, with the organisation of regional services now governed by new mechanisms, including the Special Development Fund.

The Vice Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Social Affairs, Mariano Assanami Sabino; the Vice Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Adérito Hugo da Costa; the Vice Minister of Commerce, Augusto Júnior Trindade; members of the National Parliament; the Public Service Commission; defence and security agencies; private-sector representatives; and the local community also attended the ceremony.

On April 25^th, 2026, the Vice Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Social Affairs, in collaboration with the Timor-Leste Medical Association (AMTL), organised a community health campaign in the Village of Guruça, Quelicai Antigo Administrative Post, Baucau Municipality, providing 539 people with free medical consultations and medication. 

Over two days, medical care was provided to children, adults, pregnant women, and the elderly. On the second day alone, 314 consultations were conducted. The medical teams provided general consultations, blood pressure measurements, blood tests, and awareness-raising activities on noncommunicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart problems, as well as on the importance of a balanced diet and regular physical activity.

The campaign also provided access to additional diagnostic tools, including electrocardiograms, echocardiograms, X-rays, ultrasounds, and basic laboratory services, thereby strengthening on-site clinical response capabilities.

The activities were carried out in collaboration with local health services, specifically the Baucau Municipal Health Service and the Quelicai Health Centre and included screening and immunisation efforts. The Alola Foundation supported cervical and breast cancer screening initiatives.

In his remarks, the Vice Prime Minister emphasised the importance of the initiative in bringing health services closer to remote communities.

“The Government remains committed to improving the healthcare sector because economic and social progress cannot be achieved without a healthy population. Prevention is the most effective approach,” he said.

The Vice Prime Minister also mentioned ongoing investments to improve health services, including expanding medication supplies, infrastructure, and the quality of care.

Vice-Minister for Hospital Operations, Flávio Brandão; President of the Baucau Municipal Authority, Veneranda Lemos; members of the AMTL; community leaders; and community members attended the event.