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Speech by H. E. the Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão
Dili
29 October 2026
On October 29th, 2026, in Dili, the Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Agio Pereira, met with the Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Timor-Leste, Katyna Argueta, and representatives from the UNDP and the European Union Delegation to Timor-Leste to discuss the Government’s priorities for digital transformation and the coordination of support provided through the Dalan Digital project.
During the meeting, the Minister presented national priorities for the digital transformation of public services and outlined the work carried out by the Interministerial Commission on Cybersecurity and the Digitalisation of State Services, which he chairs. The meeting also provided an opportunity to discuss how the Dalan Digital project can support these priorities in coordination with the relevant national institutions.
The project “Dalan Digital – A New Path for Digital Citizenship in Timor-Leste”, funded by the European Union and implemented by the UNDP in partnership with the Ministries of Justice, Transport and Communications, and State Administration, supports the development of the legal and regulatory framework, digital public infrastructure, and interoperability, as well as the enhancement of institutional capacities and digital literacy.
On October 20th, 2026, in Bandung, Indonesia, the Minister of Strategic Planning and Investment, Gastão Francisco de Sousa, received the “Distinguished Honorary Fellow” distinction from the ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organisations (AFEO) during the 44th Conference of the ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organisations (CAFEO 44).
The “Distinguished Honorary Fellow” distinction is conferred by AFEO on individuals of recognised distinction who have rendered significant service to the development of the engineering profession, the achievement of the Federation’s vision and mission, nation-building, or the ASEAN community. Under AFEO regulations, potential recipients include government ministers and other figures holding positions of high responsibility.
Gastão Francisco de Sousa is an engineer and a member of the National Association of Engineers of Timor-Leste. He previously served as Minister of Public Works in the 5th Constitutional Government and currently serves as Minister of Strategic Planning and Investment in the 9th Constitutional Government, with responsibilities that include strategic and integrated planning and the implementation of the Strategic Development Plan, particularly in infrastructure, urban planning, and spatial planning.
The certificate awarded to Minister Gastão Francisco de Sousa was signed by AFEO President Ilham Akbar Habibie and the organisation’s Secretary-General, Tan Chee Fai.
CAFEO 44 took place in Bandung from October 20th to 22nd, under the theme “Future of ASEAN: Shared Prosperity and Humanity Through Inclusive and Sustainable Industrialisation”.
The conference comprised engineering sessions, working group meetings, technical visits, a Women Engineers Summit, a Young Engineers Festival, AFEO institutional meetings, and activities on sustainable development and regional cooperation among engineering professionals.
The Minister of Public Works, Samuel Marçal, and the Secretary of State for Electricity, Water and Sanitation, Santos Noronha, took part on October 26th and 27th, 2026, in Dili in two initiatives dedicated to water resource management and to strengthening the resilience of water, sanitation and hygiene services, bringing together public institutions, international partners, experts and civil society organisations.
On October 26th, the Minister of Public Works took part in the International Symposium on Water, Peace and Diplomacy, held at the Nicolau Lobato Presidential Palace to promote dialogue on water resource management, regional cooperation, and the role of water diplomacy in peace, stability, and sustainable development.
The event, organised by the Presidency of the Republic in collaboration with Permatil, the Global Water Institute at the University of New South Wales, and the Diplomacy Training Programme, was attended by the President of the Republic, José Ramos-Horta; the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Water, Retno Marsudi; and representatives from government, the diplomatic corps, development partners, experts, researchers, civil society organisations, and university students.
In his address, Samuel Marçal highlighted the shared responsibility for river basin management and argued that cooperation on water issues helps build trust and prevent disputes. The Minister also emphasised the need for decisions based on information on rainfall, rivers, groundwater, and water quality, as well as the sharing of such data among participating entities.
The Minister of Public Works outlined four sector priorities: maintaining regular dialogue on shared river basins; strengthening monitoring and information sharing; protecting basins through reforestation and erosion and pollution control; and securing funding for infrastructure and for institutional capacity building.
Samuel Marçal also stressed that water security depends not only on water availability but also on its quality, advocating measures for wastewater treatment, waste management, and responsible agricultural practices against a backdrop shaped by climate change impacts.
The following day, October 27th, discussions on sustainable water resource management continued from national and sectoral perspectives, with the Secretary of State for Electricity, Water and Sanitation, Santos Noronha, attending the opening of the National Forum on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, held at the João Paulo II Hall in Comoro.
Under the theme “Strengthening the Resilience of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene to Tackle Climate Change in Timor-Leste”, the Forum promoted coordination among public institutions, development partners, international agencies, non-governmental organisations, civil society, and municipal and local administrative structures, with a particular focus on service resilience in the face of climate change.
In his remarks, Santos Noronha highlighted the National Forum as a sectoral coordination mechanism and stated that the 9th Constitutional Government regards access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene as a basic necessity for the population, linked to public health, education, and economic development. The Government aims to expand access to adequate, inclusive, and sustainable services across urban and rural areas.
The Secretary of State also emphasised the need to strengthen alignment across various programmes and interventions. Water and sanitation projects are delivered through Bee Timor-Leste, E.P., government programmes—including the Municipal Development Programme and the National Sucos Development Programme—and initiatives undertaken with support from national and international partners.
The Coordinator of Timor-Leste’s National Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Platform, Januário Amaral de Jesus, also emphasised the need to strengthen coordination among stakeholders to promote aligned interventions and support national targets to expand access to water and sanitation services.
The two initiatives held in Dili addressed, across various dimensions, challenges related to water resource management, climate change, and access to water and sanitation services, ranging from regional cooperation and water diplomacy to national and local policy coordination and project implementation.
On October 27th, 2026, at the Behau dock in Manatuto Municipality, the Minister of Defence, Rear Admiral Donaciano do Rosário da Costa Gomes “Pedro Klamar Fuik”, attended the ceremony marking the return to sea of the patrol vessel NRTL Betano after maintenance and repair work, to resume maritime patrol operations, monitor and combat illegal fishing, and protect national resources.
With the return of the Betano, both patrol vessels of this class belonging to the Naval Component of the FALINTIL–Defence Forces of Timor-Leste (F-FDTL) are once again operational. The NRTL Jaco returned to service in August of this year, following maintenance work carried out in Behau.
In his address, the Minister of Defence highlighted the significance of both vessels returning to service, stating: “Today is not merely a day of ceremony. Today is a day on which we reclaim our dignity. A day when the patrol vessel Betano returns to sea, alongside the patrol vessel Jaco, which resumed navigation a few months ago. Two vessels, two symbols, one nation.”
Donaciano Costa Gomes emphasised that the NRTL Betano and NRTL Jaco are more than physical and technical assets, symbolising Timor-Leste’s determination to maintain its maritime presence and safeguard national sovereignty within the maritime space under national jurisdiction. The two vessels are equipped to carry out missions to protect sovereignty, conduct surveillance of waters under national jurisdiction, safeguard natural resources, and support search and rescue operations.
The patrol vessels NRTL Jaco and NRTL Betano were acquired from China and have served Timor-Leste since 2010. After an extended period of maintenance and operational limitations, the Government refurbished both vessels, including work on the engines, hulls, and remaining systems and equipment essential for operation.
The Minister of Defence urged Naval Component personnel to ensure the vessels are properly maintained and to maintain operational readiness, stating: “The two vessels are not merely state assets. They represent national sovereignty at sea. Therefore, you must keep these vessels in good operational condition and ready to sail.”
During the ceremony, the Minister also announced that the Government has decided, within the framework of the 2027 General State Budget, to proceed with the acquisition of an offshore patrol vessel to bolster the F-FDTL Naval Component’s operational capacity for maritime control and security.
The Minister of Defence expressed his appreciation to the engineers, technicians, sailors, officers, and national and international partners for their contributions to the recovery of both vessels.
Donaciano Costa Gomes further thanked the local authorities and population of Behau for their cooperation and hospitality shown to technicians and sailors during the maintenance period at the Behau dock.
The Commander of the F-FDTL Naval Component, Commodore Higino das Neves; officials from the Ministry of Defence; the Second General Commander of the National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL); representatives of the Fire Service; and civil and military authorities attended the ceremony.
On October 27th, 2026, in Dili, the Minister of Justice, Sérgio de Jesus Fernandes da Costa Hornai, met with Portugal’s Minister of Justice, Rita Alarcão Júdice, to discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation in the justice sector, with a focus on technology in justice services and land registration. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 19th Conference of Ministers of Justice of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CMJPLOP).
During the meeting, both Ministers addressed the strengthening of institutional cooperation between their respective Ministries within the framework of existing cooperation mechanisms, as well as the sharing of knowledge, expertise, and best practices between institutions in both countries.
Among the areas examined were the application of technology to justice services and land registration, within the broader context of modernising public services and enhancing institutional capacities. Opportunities for technical and institutional exchange, the identification of new areas of collaboration, and the development of joint initiatives were also discussed.
The meeting continued the dialogue between the two leaders, which began in Lisbon on June 24th of this year. During that meeting, the two delegations reviewed the status of bilateral cooperation and addressed human resources development, capacity building for Timorese judicial authorities, support for the Legal and Judicial Training Centre (CFJJ – acronym in Portuguese), and the modernisation of registry and notary services.
The June meeting also covered the continuation of Portuguese support for the CFJJ, including the training programme for Timorese legal trainers, which is scheduled for 2027.
The bilateral meeting took place within the framework of the 19th CMJPLOP, which brought together justice officials from CPLP Member States in Dili to strengthen legal and judicial cooperation, share experience, and coordinate institutions.
Both Ministers reaffirmed the importance of maintaining ongoing dialogue and coordination between their respective Ministries to strengthen bilateral relations and develop cooperation mechanisms tailored to the needs and priorities of both nations.
Directors of Departments from the Ministry of Justice of Timor-Leste, the Ambassador of Portugal to Timor-Leste, Duarte Bué Alves, and other members of the Portuguese delegation attended the meeting.
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