Solemn Address By His Excellency the Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão
Noble Hall of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Dili,19 August 2026

The 26th episode of the Government Page TV Show will be broadcast this Friday at 19:00 on Rádio e Televisão de Timor-Leste (RTTL) and on official Government media platforms. The guest for this edition is the Secretary of State for Livestock, José Vieira de Araújo, who will discuss public policies, priorities, and the challenges facing Timor-Leste’s livestock sector.

During the interview, the Government’s key initiatives to strengthen the livestock sector will be presented, including boosting livestock production, improving animal health and sanitation, promoting food security, and highlighting the contribution of livestock farming to the economic and social development of rural communities.

The discussion will also highlight measures to support producers, to prevent and control animal diseases, to strengthen the livestock industry, to develop cooperative production and marketing systems, and to expand national milk production and its potential contribution to child nutrition by integrating locally produced milk into school meal programmes.

The Government Page TV Show is an initiative of the Office of the Government Spokesperson, led by the Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Agio Pereira, in partnership with RTTL and national media outlets. The programme aims to strengthen government transparency and ensure citizens’ access to key actions and decisions of the Executive. The programme features Nélia Chaves as presenter and Ika Moniz as executive producer. Technical support is provided by the media teams of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, the Office of the Prime Minister, and the office of the interviewed member of the Government.

The Government invites the public to follow this episode of the Government Page TV Show on Friday, August 21^st, 2026, at 19:00, on RTTL and across social media platforms.

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Presidency of the Council of Ministers

Spokesperson of the Government of Timor-Leste

Ninth Constitutional Government

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Press Release

Meeting of the Council of Ministers on August 12^th, 2026

The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace in Dili and was briefed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Bendito dos Santos Freitas, on the 31st Ordinary Meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP – acronym in Portuguese), to be held in Dili on August 19^th, 2026, under the pro tempore presidency of Timor-Leste.

The meeting will be an important opportunity to strengthen political and diplomatic coordination and cooperation among Member States, in line with the theme of the Timorese Presidency: “Consolidation of the Democratic Rule of Law and the Challenges Facing the CPLP.” Among the main items on the agenda are the situation in Guinea-Bissau, preparations for the upcoming CPLP Presidency, and the definition of the Organisation’s strategic guidelines for the coming years.

The meeting is also expected to review the Administrative Agreement for the Implementation of the CPLP Multilateral Social Security Convention, which aims to strengthen social protection and the portability of citizens’ social security rights within the Community. A declaration on “Consolidating the Democratic Rule of Law and the Challenges Facing the CPLP” will also be considered, reaffirming the Member States’ commitment to democratic principles, the rule of law, and the strengthening of political and diplomatic coordination.

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Based on a proposal by Vice-Minister of Finance Regina de Jesus, the Council of Ministers decided to authorise Minister of Finance Santina José Rodrigues F. Viegas Cardoso to negotiate with the World Bank for a loan, through the International Development Association (IDA), to finance the Baucau Municipal Capital Water Supply Project.

The project, which is part of the second phase of the World Bank’s regional Water Security and Resilience initiative, aims to increase access to safely managed water supply services in selected areas of Baucau. It calls for the construction and operation of a centralised, climate-resilient system capable of serving approximately 37,000 people by 2031.

With projected funding of US$30 million, the project includes the rehabilitation and expansion of existing water sources and pumping systems, the construction of new water intake facilities, pumping stations, pipelines, treatment and storage facilities, as well as the installation of approximately 7,000 household connections with sub-metering. It also includes measures to strengthen the institutional and operational capacity of Bee Timor-Leste (BTL) through technical assistance, capacity building, and support for infrastructure management and maintenance. The financing will be provided on highly concessional terms, with a 10-year grace period and a 40-year maturity. It will also include an option to defer payments in the event of a national emergency related to climate-related events. Implementation will be carried out by the Ministry of Public Works through the Project Management Unit, with BTL responsible for the operation and maintenance of the infrastructure upon its completion.

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The Council of Ministers, upon a proposal by the Minister of State Administration, Tomás do Rosário Cabral, approved the draft Government Resolution for the appointment by the Government of a member and their alternate to the National Election Commission.

The appointment stems from the expiration of the terms of office of the current members of the National Election Commission, scheduled for August 16^th, 2026, and is made pursuant to Law No. 5/2006, of December 28^th, as currently in force, which grants the Government the authority to appoint one of the seven members of the Commission, as well as at least one alternate member. For the new term, running from 2026 to 2031, the Government has appointed Mr Élviro Fernandes Moniz as a full member and Ms Odete Maria Belo as an alternate member.

Mr Élviro Fernandes Moniz is recognised for his integrity and experience in the field of electoral administration and currently holds a leadership position at the Technical Secretariat for Electoral Administration. Ms Odete Maria Belo is also recognised for her integrity and experience in the electoral field, having served as a member of the National Election Commission for several years. Neither of them holds leadership positions in political parties or on electoral campaigns.

With these appointments, the Government ensures the continuity and smooth operation of the National Election Commission for the new term, thereby helping to strengthen the independence, credibility, and effectiveness of the oversight of electoral processes in Timor-Leste, in accordance with the applicable constitutional and legal framework.

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The Minister of Health, Elia A. A. dos Reis Amaral, presented information to the Council of Ministers on the implementation of the National Programs to Combat Tuberculosis, Leprosy, and HIV/AIDS in Timor-Leste, including the main results achieved, the challenges identified, and the priorities for action to strengthen prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up for people affected by these diseases.

The presentation also provided an opportunity to review ongoing measures to strengthen the national response, particularly through improved access to health services, timely diagnosis and treatment, epidemiological surveillance, and community awareness-raising. The Government reaffirmed the importance of continuing and strengthening these national programs, with a view to reducing the incidence and impact of these diseases and improving the health and well-being of the population.

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Lastly, upon a proposal by the Vice Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister of Economic Affairs, the Council of Ministers approved the draft Government Resolution mandating the return to the State of the land granted to the company Pelican Paradise Group Limited, under the respective Special Investment Agreement (SIA), approved by Government Resolution No. 133/2021 of December 15. Given that the aforementioned SIA has ceased to be in effect and that the company has been notified of its termination, the land granted as part of the investment must be returned to the State.

The resolution directs the Vice Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister of Economic Affairs to promote and coordinate the necessary actions to ensure the return of the land to the State, which must be handed over free of people and property. The resolution further stipulates that all relevant public entities, within the scope of their respective authorities, adopt the administrative measures necessary to comply with the decision.END

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Dili – Today, August 11^th, 2026, a new episode of the “Government Page” TV show was recorded at the Government Palace in Dili, featuring the Secretary of State for Civil Protection, Domingos Mariano Reis. The interview covered the Government’s priorities to strengthen civil protection, disaster risk management, emergency preparedness, institutional coordination, and the protection of communities across the country.

In the interview, the Secretary of State highlighted the Government’s commitment to strengthening the country’s capacity to prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from natural disasters and other emergencies through effective public policies, stronger institutional coordination, and community resilience.

The interview emphasised the need to improve national disaster preparedness, strengthen emergency response mechanisms, and enhance cooperation among government institutions, municipal authorities, security forces, and humanitarian partners to ensure a rapid and coordinated response in the event of an emergency.

The Secretary of State also emphasised the need to expand disaster risk reduction efforts, promote public awareness campaigns, and improve early warning systems to protect human life, property, and critical infrastructure from natural hazards, including floods, landslides, droughts, and other natural and climate-related disasters.

During the interview, the Secretary of State also emphasised the importance of working together and maintaining close coordination with ministries and public institutions to ensure that civil protection policies are integrated into national development planning and to promote a comprehensive approach to disaster risk management across all sectors.

Organised by the Office of the Government Spokesperson and led by Agio Pereira, Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, the “Government Page” TV show is produced in partnership with Radio and Television of Timor-Leste (RTTL) and national media outlets to strengthen government transparency, accountability, and citizens’ access to information on the Executive’s key decisions and policies.

The “Government Page” TV show, hosted by Nélia Chaves and produced by Ika Moniz, stands out as a forum for institutional dialogue centred on the public interest. The show, recorded by RTTL, also receives technical support from the communications teams of the Office of the Prime Minister, the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, and the office of the government official being interviewed.

The episode featuring the Secretary of State for Civil Protection will air soon on RTTL and on the Government’s official social media platforms.

 

The Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, issued an order, signed in Dili on August 6^th, 2026, establishing the Interministerial Committee on Cybersecurity and the Digitalisation of State Services (CICDE – acronym in Portuguese), which is responsible for coordinating public policies and initiatives in these areas.

The Committee is chaired by the Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, with the Minister of Transport and Communications serving as vice-chairman.

The CICDE also comprises the Ministers of Justice, the Interior and State Administration, together with representatives of the National Strategic Intelligence Service, TIC Timor, the Forensic Criminal Investigation Police, the Financial Intelligence Unit of the Central Bank of Timor-Leste, the National Police of Timor-Leste, and the National Communications Authority.

Technical coordination will be provided by the Director-General of the National Strategic Intelligence Service, with assistance from the Executive Director of TIC Timor. The Presidency of the Council of Ministers will provide administrative and documentary support.

The establishment of the CICDE follows the submission to the National Parliament on July 31^st, 2026, of a proposal for legislative authorisation to approve an integrated legislative package on cybersecurity. The proposal was approved by the Council of Ministers on July 22^nd, presented by the Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Agio Pereira, and then submitted to the National Parliament by the Prime Minister.

The legislative package covers the National Cybersecurity Strategy, the legal framework for national cyberspace security, the framework for digital services, and the criminal and criminal procedural framework applicable to offences committed in the digital environment, including rules governing the collection, preservation, and use of electronic evidence.

The initiative aims to provide Timor-Leste with a coherent legal framework to prevent, investigate and combat cybercrime, protect critical infrastructure, and enhance the security of citizens, businesses, and institutions in the digital environment.

The new Committee succeeds the Interministerial Cybersecurity Group, established in October 2025 to coordinate the protection of national critical systems and infrastructure – with a particular focus on the Timor-Leste South Submarine Cable (TLSSC) – and to facilitate international cooperation in this area.

The structural change responds to the advancing digitalisation of public administration and the State’s growing use of cyberspace. The Committee’s remit will now, in an integrated manner, cover cybersecurity, the regulation of cyberspace, data protection, the prevention and prosecution of cybercrime, and the digitalisation of government services.

The CICDE will ensure political, legal, institutional, and technical coordination of these matters. The Committee will carry out functions of coordination, guidance, liaison, monitoring, and oversight, without replacing the ministries, departments, and other public bodies responsible for implementing the projects.

Its remit includes defining common priorities, preparing a consolidated public policy document and a phased legislative plan, and coordinating proposals on cybersecurity, data protection, critical information infrastructure, cybercrime, and electronic evidence.

The Committee will also coordinate proposals on e-government, digital identity, electronic signatures and trust services, data governance, interoperability, secure information sharing, and the digital processing of administrative procedures.

The CICDE is also expected to define common principles, standards and requirements for the State’s digital systems and services, with a view to preventing duplication of investment, platform incompatibility, data fragmentation, and excessive reliance on external suppliers.

The order also sets out common criteria for assessing the risks associated with private entities that supply digital systems, equipment, infrastructure, or services to the State. Proposals for support from development partners will likewise be subject to political and strategic assessment, considering national sovereignty, the Government’s priorities, the sustainability of the solutions, and the risks of technical, financial, or political dependence.

The CICDE will ordinarily meet once a month, report monthly to the Prime Minister, and submit policy proposals, legislative initiatives, draft legislation, and reports on the implementation of its work to the Council of Ministers.

Dili, August 7^th, 2026 — The Government of Timor-Leste, through the Presidency of the Council of Ministers (PCM), met today with representatives of the Office of the President of the Republic and of the Government of Australia to discuss the development of the future INTERFET Memorial in Dili. 

The meeting brought together representatives of the Government of Timor-Leste, the Office of the President of the Republic, represented by Ambassadors Vicky and Nelson Santos, and the Government of Australia, represented by Ambassador Caitlin Wilson.

The meeting focused on strengthening cooperation to develop the memorial, and the Government reaffirmed its commitment to preserving the legacy of the International Force East Timor (INTERFET) and to ensuring that the memorial reflects the shared history and contributions of Timor-Leste, Australia, New Zealand and other countries that participated in the international peacekeeping mission.

The Government, together with the Office of the President, has identified the former INTERFET heliport, adjacent to the Nicolau Lobato Presidential Palace, as the site for the future memorial. A site-blessing ceremony for the proposed International Peacekeeping Memorial and Museum was held on 14 September 2024, marking the 25th anniversary of the deployment of INTERFET.

The Government also discussed the proposed implementation timeline. The meeting further discussed the establishment of technical focal points from Timor-Leste. The Minister emphasised that the memorial should be more than a monument to the past. It should serve as an educational space for future generations, promoting the values of peace, solidarity, and international cooperation.

Minister Agio also emphasised the importance of developing the memorial as a shared legacy for Timor-Leste, Australia, New Zealand, and all INTERFET contributing nations, while ensuring it meets international standards and honours both the Timorese people and the personnel who served in INTERFET.

Dili, 7 August 2026 — The Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Agio Pereira, held a meeting with Woodside Executive Vice President, Julie Fallon, at the Government Palace in Dili to discuss matters of mutual interest, with a particular focus on the Greater Sunrise project and opportunities to strengthen cooperation between the Government of Timor-Leste and Woodside.

The meeting provided an opportunity for both parties to exchange views on the strategic importance of the Greater Sunrise project and its potential contribution to Timor-Leste’s long-term economic development. Discussions also focused on the importance of continued engagement, cooperation, and constructive dialogue to support the advancement of the project.

Remarks by H. E. the Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão
São João de Brito Institute Hera, Timor-Leste 7 August 2026