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The Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Agio Pereira, met on September 18th, 2026 in Dili with the Australian Ambassador to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Tiffany McDonald, accompanied by the Australian Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Caitlin Wilson, and other representatives from the Australian Embassy and the Australian Mission to ASEAN, to discuss shared priorities regarding Timor-Leste’s participation in ASEAN and cooperation between the two countries in this context.
During the meeting, Timor-Leste’s priorities as a new ASEAN Member State, preparations for assuming the organisation’s Chairmanship in 2029, and opportunities for bilateral cooperation to strengthen national capacities were discussed.
Among the areas discussed were the infrastructure and facilities required to host ASEAN meetings, human resources, protocol, security, border and maritime security, English-language training, communication, accreditation systems, and cooperation in the field of information technology, including cyber security.
Minister Agio Pereira emphasised the need for preparations for 2029 to build national capacities that will endure beyond Timor-Leste’s term as ASEAN Chair and to support the country’s long-term participation in the organisation.
The meeting also addressed the experiences of previous ASEAN Chairmanships and possible ways to adapt them to Timor-Leste’s national circumstances, priorities and capabilities. The two sides further discussed continued coordination to identify specific areas of cooperation during the preparation process.
The meeting took place as part of Ambassador Tiffany McDonald’s visit to Timor-Leste, which began on September 16th, during which she held meetings with national officials on Timor-Leste’s participation in ASEAN and cooperation between the two countries in this context.
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Speech by H. E. the Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão
Dili
17 September 2026
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The Minister of Education, Dulce de Jesus Soares, attended, on September 14th, 2026, in Liquiçá, the launch of the Lenuk-Tasi (Sea Turtle), an art structure designed to collect plastic bottles, as part of the Government’s awareness campaign on the Blue Economy and the protection of the marine environment.
The initiative, led by the Land and Maritime Borders Office and coordinated with the Ministry of Education and the Liquiçá Municipal Authority, brought together representatives of public institutions, schools, and partner organisations, along with approximately 700 secondary school students.
Created by a Timorese artist, the Lenuk-Tasi represents a sea turtle and serves as a collection point for plastic bottles, which are then recycled and reused. The installation seeks to encourage students, young people, and the community to adopt responsible waste disposal practices and to help reduce marine plastic pollution.
The initiative forms part of a series of public art installations, featuring representations of marine animals, planned for various locations across the country. It follows the 2024 launch of the Ikan Azul (Blue Fish) in Dili by the Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão.
During the activity, the Minister of Education highlighted the role of schools in educating and raising awareness among younger generations about the protection of oceans and natural resources. “Protecting the sea is also something that is learned. And it must be learned from an early age,” stated Dulce de Jesus Soares.
The Minister explained that topics related to environmental, oceanic, and natural resource protection are addressed throughout the Basic Education curriculum (Primary and Secondary School, Years 1-9). Schools also utilise educational resources produced by the Land and Maritime Borders Office, including the book Meu Mar, O Meu Timor, to promote ocean literacy and knowledge of marine biodiversity.
Regarding the Lenuk-Tasi, the Minister stated that “every bottle placed inside this turtle is a bottle that was not left abandoned on the ground, not washed by rain into a ditch, not carried into a stream, and not ending up in our sea.”
The activity featured a presentation on Timor-Leste’s Blue Economy Policy, an informative video screening, a question-and-answer session, and an exhibition of sustainable fisheries products and local handicrafts.
The Liquiçá Centre for Learning and School Training (CAFE) also presented a cooperation initiative with the company Caltech, linking environmental education with the practical application of recycling to collect plastic waste accumulated at the school and convert it into reusable products.
Inês Araújo Gonçalves, the Lead Coordinator of the Blue Economy Unit at the Land and Maritime Borders Office, emphasised the need to involve different sectors of society in implementing the Blue Economy Policy. “The Government alone cannot implement this policy. Support from all entities, including the media, is necessary to disseminate information about the Blue Economy,” she stated.
The President of the Liquiçá Municipal Authority, Paulino Ribeiro, urged students to dispose of waste in appropriate locations and to contribute to environmental protection. The Municipal Authority also plans to extend awareness-raising activities to the sucos, in coordination with local authorities and communities.
The Blue Economy awareness campaign is set to continue in the municipalities of Aileu, Manatuto, Baucau, and Lautém, and subsequently in the remaining municipalities, with activities aimed at school communities to promote the protection of marine and coastal resources and responsible waste management practices.
The Vice-Minister of Social Solidarity and Inclusion, Céu Brites, paid a working visit to the Special Administrative Region of Oe-Cússe Ambeno (RAEOA) from September 14th to 16th, 2026, where she monitored the implementation of the Conditional Mother’s Allowance Programme – Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition (BdMK-SANUTRIO), participated in child protection initiatives, and attended the handover to the Ministry of Social Solidarity and Inclusion (MSSI) of a shelter for victims of domestic and gender-based violence.
As part of the monitoring of BdMK-SANUTRIO, the Vice-Minister visited the health centres in Boacnana, in the Nitibe Administrative Post, and in Oesilo and Baqui, in Pante Macassar, accompanied by technical teams from the MSSI, as well as representatives from the RAEOA and the World Food Programme (WFP).
The programme provides support to pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and children up to three years of age, aiming to contribute to the improvement of maternal and child health and nutrition. In the RAEOA, 2,864 eligible beneficiaries have been identified.
In Nitibe, the programme covers 522 beneficiaries, including 36 pregnant women, 141 breastfeeding mothers, and 345 children up to three years of age. In Oesilo, 404 beneficiaries are registered, including 40 pregnant women, 134 breastfeeding mothers, and 230 children. At the Baqui Health Centre, the programme has 511 beneficiaries, comprising 47 pregnant women, 176 breastfeeding mothers, and 288 children.
During the visits, the Vice-Minister monitored the implementation procedures of the programme and the support provided to beneficiaries, emphasising the need for families to make use of the assistance and nutritious food made available to improve the nutrition and health of mothers and children.
Following the monitoring conducted at the Oesilo Health Centre, two child beneficiaries of SANUTRIO, from the village of Bobometo, were referred to the RAEOA Regional Hospital due to signs of malnutrition. Céu Brites subsequently visited the two children at the hospital, where she was briefed by the medical team on their assessment and the care provided. According to information shared during the visit, both showed signs of improvement and remained under medical supervision.
On September 16th, the Vice-Minister also participated in the signing ceremony for the handover agreement to the MSSI of a shelter provided by the RAEOA. The document was signed by the Director-General of Corporate Services of the MSSI, Fernando dos Reis, and the Regional Secretary for Social Affairs and Community Organisation, Merita Marques Lafo.
The shelter is intended for the temporary accommodation of women and children who are victims of domestic and gender-based violence, equipped to ensure protection, security, support, and social monitoring during their recovery and reintegration processes.
Céu Brites explained that “this shelter will serve as a temporary space for victims of domestic violence, women, and children”, as part of the cooperation established between the MSSI and the RAEOA Authority.
The ceremony was attended by the President of the RAEOA Authority, Régio Servantes Roméia da Cruz Salu, the President of the National Institute for the Defence of Children’s Rights (INDDICA), Dinora Granadeiro, representatives of the PNTL and F-FDTL, and other regional entities.
Also on September 16th, the Vice-Minister attended, at the Port of Kitahara in Mahata, Pante Macassar, the launch of leaflets and information boards aimed at raising awareness for the protection of children selling goods on the streets and in other public spaces.
The initiative, organised in coordination with the RAEOA Authority and INDDICA, seeks to raise awareness among families and communities regarding children’s rights and the risks associated with the involvement of minors in economic activities that could compromise their safety, health, education, and well-being.
On the occasion, Céu Brites stated: “We understand that many families face very difficult economic situations and that some need support to meet their children’s needs, but this must not happen at the expense of children’s rights, namely access to education and other rights.”
The Vice-Minister further emphasised that children have the right to care, protection, health, nutrition, and education, and that their protection constitutes a responsibility shared by families, communities, the Government, and competent institutions.
On September 14th, a meeting was also held with staff from the RAEOA Social Solidarity and Inclusion Centre to evaluate the work undertaken, identify difficulties in service delivery, and examine measures to improve support for vulnerable populations.
The working visit to the RAEOA allowed the Vice-Minister and the teams from the MSSI and the RAEOA to monitor the various components of social intervention in the region, ranging from maternal and child health and nutrition to child protection, support for victims of violence, and the functioning of social services.
The Vice-Minister for Institutional Strengthening of Health, José dos Reis Magno, and the Secretary of State for Livestock, José Vieira de Araújo, attended the final workshop of the BRUCE-TL project in Dili, on September 15th, 2026, which presented research findings on brucellosis and strengthened collaboration between the human and animal health sectors in Timor-Leste.
The workshop, themed “Evidence, Impact and Advancing One Health Collaboration in Timor-Leste”, brought together representatives from the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Forestry, the Menzies School of Health Research, the Bobonaro Municipal Authority, human and animal health professionals, researchers, partners, and other relevant entities.
At the opening of the workshop, Vice-Minister José dos Reis Magno stated that “holding this workshop demonstrates that, to respond to public and animal health challenges, we need cooperation, dialogue, scientific evidence, and shared responsibility”.
Brucellosis is an infectious disease caused by bacteria of the genus Brucella and is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans. In cattle, it primarily affects the reproductive system and can cause abortions, infertility, retained placenta, the birth of weak calves, and reduced production.
During the workshop, the National Directorate of Veterinary Services presented data on tests conducted in 2023 on 1,046 cattle in the Bobonaro and Covalima Municipalities and the Special Administrative Region of Oe-Cússe Ambeno, of which 505 tested positive for brucellosis. These data refer to the animals and areas tested and do not constitute an estimate of the disease’s prevalence across the national cattle population.
The Vice-Minister emphasised that “this figure demonstrates that, in some areas, brucellosis may constitute a problem for animal health and livestock production”, adding that “available evidence shows that brucellosis is present in different areas and that continuous surveillance is necessary to improve understanding of the disease’s distribution and evolution in our country”.
José dos Reis Magno therefore advocated continuing research and surveillance in the human and animal health sectors to obtain more comprehensive data on the extent of the disease in Timor-Leste.
The BRUCE-TL project, implemented by the Menzies School of Health Research in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Forestry, aims to identify risk factors for the transmission of brucellosis and to support the development and implementation of evidence-based control measures through a participatory approach and the “One Health” principle.
As part of the project, a study in Maliana involving 253 cattle farmers and 22 animal health professionals identified a still limited level of knowledge about brucellosis among farmers, as well as several practices likely to increase exposure to the disease.
The Vice-Minister stated that these findings “demonstrate that our response must take into account the actual practices of communities and not just theory” and called for strengthened surveillance and diagnosis; greater awareness among farmers of the risks associated with abortions, placentas, and other potentially contaminated materials; safe animal-handling practices; food safety; and vaccination and other control measures grounded in scientific evidence.
“Preventing brucellosis is everyone’s responsibility. We have evidence that this disease affects animals in our territory, including in Bobonaro, Covalima, and Oe-Cússe,” said José dos Reis Magno.
The Secretary of State for Livestock, José Vieira de Araújo, also emphasised the need for a coordinated response across sectors, stating that brucellosis “is not merely an animal health issue, but also has a direct link to public health, livestock productivity, and community well-being.” He therefore advocated involving various institutions and using scientific evidence to guide decision-making.
José Vieira de Araújo also highlighted cooperation with the Menzies School of Health Research and the contributions of veterinary services, researchers, students, and communities to implementing BRUCE-TL. He advocated continuing this collaboration to strengthen national capacities and support the development of evidence-based policies and programmes for the livestock sector.
In this context, the “One Health” approach seeks to coordinate human, animal, and environmental health sectors. Consequently, preventing and controlling brucellosis involves veterinary and health services, national and municipal authorities, researchers, laboratories, livestock producers, communities, and development partners.
The research conducted under BRUCE-TL has already begun to translate into on-the-ground measures. On September 4th, the Secretariat of State for Livestock, in partnership with the Menzies School of Health Research and the National Directorate of Veterinary Services—and with the participation of Animal Health students from the National University of Timor Lorosa’e—launched a bovine brucellosis vaccination programme in the hamlet of Genuhan, Lahomea village, Maliana Administrative Post, Bobonaro Municipality.
The vaccination programme is based on evidence and technical recommendations from BRUCE-TL and includes animal identification, monitoring, and evaluation activities. Australia’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry supports this initiative by funding the procurement of brucellosis vaccines, animal ear tags, and technical equipment; preparing animal handling facilities; and training involved teams.
Preventing transmission to humans also requires precautions when in contact with animals. The public—especially livestock farmers, workers, and others who handle cattle—must avoid unprotected direct contact with placentas, foetuses, blood, secretions, and other materials resulting from births or abortions, use appropriate protection when handling such materials, and ensure their safe disposal.
It is also recommended to avoid consuming unpasteurised milk and to ensure that meat and other animal products are thoroughly cooked before consumption. Individuals exposed to potentially infected animals or materials who develop fever, sweating, fatigue, weakness, or muscle and joint pain should seek medical attention and inform healthcare professionals of their contact with animals.
During the workshop, the Secretariat of State for Livestock and the Menzies School of Health Research signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen cooperation and collaboration between the two institutions. The agreement provides for enhanced knowledge and scientific evidence sharing, technical capacity building, and support for implementing animal health programmes in Timor-Leste.
The signing of the Memorandum builds on the collaboration developed under BRUCE-TL. It establishes a foundation for cooperation between the Secretariat of State for Livestock and Menzies in areas such as research, technical capacity building, and animal health.
The final workshop provided an opportunity to evaluate the results of BRUCE-TL, share evidence and lessons learned during the project’s implementation, and analyse the continuation of brucellosis surveillance, prevention, and control measures through collaboration between the human and animal health sectors.
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