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Press Release
Meeting of the Council of Ministers on October 28th, 2026
The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace in Dili and approved the draft Decree-Law, presented by the Vice Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister of Economic Affairs, Francisco Kalbuadi Lay, and the Governor of the Central Bank of Timor-Leste (BCTL), Hélder Lopes, concerning the Legal Framework for the Use of Electronic Payment Instruments in the Conduct of Economic Activities.
The Decree-Law imposes an obligation on economic operators to provide electronic payment instruments and to accept electronic payments, with a view to promoting the efficiency, security, transparency and traceability of transactions, as well as the development and use of the national payment system.
The scheme covers operators of economic activities throughout the country, payment service providers authorised by the BCTL, the public administration and other public bodies, whilst providing for exceptions for street traders and for activities carried out in remote areas where the technical, technological or infrastructural conditions necessary for the use of these instruments do not exist. The operators covered by the scheme have a period of six months to comply with the new obligations, with the legislation coming into force on the first day of the month following its publication.
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The Council of Ministers has approved the draft Government Resolution, presented by the Minister for Finance, Santina José Rodrigues F. Viegas Cardoso, which approves the paid-in capital of the National Development Bank of Timor-Leste, SA (BNDTL – acronym in Portuguese) and authorises the related expenditure.
The Resolution approves the BNDTL’s paid-in capital, fully subscribed by the State, in the amount of US$30 million, and authorises expenditure up to December 31st, 2026, using funds allocated in this year’s General State Budget.
Paid-in capital is a prerequisite for the BNDTL’s application for authorisation from the Central Bank of Timor-Leste. The Bank’s mission is to promote the country’s sustainable and inclusive economic development by providing appropriate financing solutions for domestic companies and projects, whilst complementing the commercial banking and existing financial systems.
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The Council of Ministers has decided to approve the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea on the establishment of a bilateral consultation mechanism.
The Memorandum establishes a mechanism for regular bilateral consultations to strengthen relations and cooperation between the two countries, facilitate the exchange of views on bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest, and assess progress in cooperation in areas that may include trade, the economy, health, education, science and technology, and agriculture.
Consultations will take place at the senior official level of the respective Ministries of Foreign Affairs, once every two years, or whenever the parties deem it necessary, alternating between Timor-Leste and the Republic of Korea.
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The Council of Ministers approved the draft Decree-Law, presented by the Minister for Public Works, Samuel Marçal, on the Special Procurement Regime for the Construction of Infrastructure Aimed at Improving Accessibility and the Regeneration of the City of Dili, as part of preparations for events related to Timor-Leste’s ASEAN Chairmanship.
The Decree-Law establishes a special procurement regime to streamline procedures for implementing priority projects to improve accessibility and regenerate the city of Dili, with a view to ensuring their timely completion in time for the events relating to Timor-Leste’s ASEAN Chairmanship, which is scheduled to begin in 2029.
The regime covers nine sections of roads and streets in the city of Dili, including works on roads, pedestrian routes and public spaces, the replacement of overhead public electricity systems with underground systems, and the installation or pre-installation of public sanitation, water supply, and telecommunications infrastructure.
For the implementation of these projects, the legislation permits competitive tendering or direct award procedures, regardless of contract value, without derogating from the principles and other rules applicable to public procurement and the execution of public expenditure.
The Ministry of Public Works and the public corporations under its authority are responsible for implementing the projects, whilst the National Procurement Commission, I.P., is responsible for conducting the procurement procedures. The National Development Agency, I.P., retains its powers of technical and financial verification, as well as any other powers provided for in the applicable legislation.
The aim of this measure is to ensure the timely implementation of the works required to prepare the city of Dili for the events associated with the ASEAN Chairmanship, whilst also helping to improve road and pedestrian traffic flow, the urban environment and the public infrastructure affected by the works.
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The Council of Ministers approved the draft Government Resolution, presented by the Minister for State Administration, Tomás do Rosário Cabral, for the first amendment to Government Resolution No. 19/2026 of April 1st, which sets the maximum expenditure to be incurred in connection with the process of transferring the remains of Catholic prelates who carried out pastoral duties in Timor-Leste.
The approved amendment increases the maximum amount allocated to cover the costs of transferring the remains of Portugal’s prelates to Dili Cathedral, as well as the associated funeral and memorial services, from US$600,000 to US$854,990.
This increase, amounting to US$254,990, is intended to cover the additional costs approved during the course of the process by the Interministerial Committee responsible for organising the ceremonies, namely those relating to the government’s institutional representation at the ceremonies held at Évora Cathedral in Portugal, the construction of the Mehara monument, and the ceremonies held in Bali, Indonesia. END
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On October 27th, 2026, Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão attended the National Commemoration Ceremony for Education Month and World Teachers’ Day, held at the Ian Martin Hall of the National Institute for the Training of Teachers and Education Professionals (INFORDEPE – acronym in Portuguese) in Dili. This year’s celebration also coincided with the 60th anniversary of the adoption of the UNESCO and International Labour Organisation (ILO) Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers.
The ceremony was attended by the Minister of Education, Dulce de Jesus Soares; the Secretary of State for General Secondary Education and Technical-Vocational Secondary Education, Domingos Lopes Lemos; and representatives from educational and teacher-training institutions, development partners, educators, and students.
In his address, the Prime Minister stated that “education is the foundation for everything we wish to build for our future” and highlighted the role of teachers in shaping new generations. “Teachers are agents of transformation, present day after day in the lives of our children and young people. They therefore play an irreplaceable role in shaping new generations and in building the nation.”
Xanana Gusmão recalled that the education sector had to rebuild “the educational system, infrastructure, curricula and teaching materials, teacher training, and the very management and culture of schools,” and asserted that “without quality education, independence fails to fulfil its promise. And without qualified and valued teachers, development cannot take root, nor can it translate into concrete improvements in the lives of our people.”
The Head of Government reaffirmed commitments to “strengthen initial and ongoing teacher training,” “progressively improve working conditions for educators, especially in rural and remote areas,” and “invest in school infrastructure that is more dignified and functional.” He also highlighted the promotion of inclusive education, the responsible use of new technologies to support learning, and the strengthening of management, evaluation, and monitoring across the education system.
Regarding the valuation of the teaching profession, the Prime Minister stated that “it is not enough to ‘recognise’ and ‘thank’ you for your dedication to society just once a year. The best way to express gratitude is to value your profession in a concrete, consistent, and meaningful manner.” He added that “recognition alone is not enough; it is necessary to ensure greater respect for your rights and more support in the fulfilment of your duties.”
In light of social, technological, economic, and cultural transformations, the Head of Government noted that “artificial intelligence, digital technologies, and learning platforms—all of these bring enormous opportunities, but also significant challenges.” He argued that “technology should serve the purpose of learning and human development, but it can never, under any circumstances, replace the essential role of the teacher in guiding, educating, and supporting students.”
The celebration took place under the overarching theme “Valuing, Protecting, and Strengthening the Status of the Teaching Profession in a Rapidly Changing World,” with the specific theme “The Teacher as an Agent of Transformation: Role, Competencies, and Responsibilities in Building the Timorese State.” The initiative also marked the 60th anniversary of the 1966 Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers — adopted by UNESCO and the ILO — which established international benchmarks for teachers’ rights and responsibilities, as well as for their training, recruitment, employment, and teaching and working conditions.
The Minister of Education, Dulce de Jesus Soares, stated that “this theme highlights the vital need to protect teachers’ rights, improve working conditions, address the shortage of educators, and confront current challenges, including digital transformation and climate change.”
Regarding the adaptation of the education system to technological change, the Minister added that “teachers are the heart of this national transformation. Through modern and creative methodologies, they prepare our young people to compete on a global scale.”
For his part, the Secretary of State for General Secondary Education and Technical-Vocational Secondary Education, Domingos Lopes Lemos, highlighted the responsibility of teachers in the development of children and young people, stating that “a teacher is an agent of transformation. When we look at a stone that has yet to take shape, someone with the necessary knowledge is required to transform it into something of value. The same applies to a newborn child, who is like a blank slate. It is the teacher’s role to provide guidance, offer instruction, and help children develop their knowledge, abilities, and character.”
Addressing teachers directly, the Prime Minister urged them “not to give up on our children and young people — even when conditions are less than ideal and resources are lacking.” He added that “a teacher can change a life. By changing one life, they can change a family, a community, and even an entire country.”
In his closing remarks, Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão expressed his gratitude to “all the teachers in our country,” acknowledged their role “in building the State and the Nation,” and reaffirmed “the Government’s commitment to working hard to improve the quality of education.”
“Valuing, Protecting and Strengthening the Status of the Teaching Profession in a Rapidly Changing World”
“Teachers as Agents of Transformation: Their Role, Skills and Responsibilities in Building the Timorese State”
Speech by H. E. the Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão
Dili, Timor-Leste
27 October 2026
“Combating Online Scams: Protecting Citizens and International Legal Cooperation in the Face of a New Form of Transnational Crime”
Speech by H. E. the Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão
Dili, Timor-Leste
27 October 2026