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Agio Pereira, Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, emphasised today, May 25^th, 2026, in Dili, the importance of strengthening public institutions, modernising the state, and promoting regional integration in Timor-Leste during the session dedicated to the Institutional Development Sector as part of the annual meeting with Timor-Leste’s Development Partners (TLDPM), under the theme “Charting a Resilient Horizon: Blue Economy, ASEAN Integration, and Coordinated Action.” The meeting brings together officials from the Government, development partners, and representatives from civil society and the private sector to analyse national strategic priorities, development challenges, and institutional coordination mechanisms. 

In his remarks, the minister stated that “strong institutions are the foundation of everything,” adding that “a predictable and reliable government builds trust—the trust of its citizens and of the partners and investors whose involvement can help us grow.”

Agio Pereira emphasised that institutional development is one of the priorities of the 9th Constitutional Government, in line with the 2011–2030 Strategic Development Plan, the Sustainable Development Goals, and Timor-Leste’s commitments within the ASEAN framework.

The minister also highlighted Timor-Leste’s full accession to ASEAN, which will be finalised in October 2025, and noted that this marks “the beginning of a new journey.” He added that “we are not mere spectators of ASEAN integration. We are its builders,” and noted that Timor-Leste will assume the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2029.

During his speech, Agio Pereira also addressed the challenges of economic and institutional development, advocating investment in human capital, digital transformation, the blue economy, and social inclusion. “Human capital is not a secondary priority. It is the driving force behind everything else,” he stated.

The minister also emphasised the need to bring public services closer to the people and to promote inclusion through administrative modernisation. “The digital government (…) is not merely an exercise in modernisation, but an act of inclusion,” he stated.

The technical presentation by the Institutional Development Sector was delivered by Natália Sarmento, Coordinator of the Office for the Development of Strategic Public Policies (GDPPE) within the Office of the President of the Council of Ministers. The presentation highlighted the Sector’s main achievements and priorities within the framework for implementing Government Resolution No. 43/2024, which established the Interministerial Commissions for Sectoral Development Coordination (CICDS). Within this interministerial coordination framework, the Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers chairs the Institutional Development Sector commission.

During the presentation, national progress and strategic priorities were highlighted across government coordination, justice, security, defence, international relations and cooperation, state administration, administrative decentralisation, local governance, border management and migration, civil protection, digital transformation, public administration, spatial planning, and regional integration. Priorities also included strengthening inter-ministerial coordination, modernising the state, strengthening democratic institutions and institutional capacity, improving the delivery of public services, and preparing Timor-Leste for the challenges and opportunities arising from integration into ASEAN and growing national participation in regional and international mechanisms.

At the end of his remarks, Agio Pereira emphasised that “the institutions we are building today are not for us. They are for those who will come after us,” arguing for the need to prepare future generations to take “their place at the table of nations.”

The meeting with Timor-Leste’s development partners will be held on May 25^th and 26^th at the Ministry of Finance, bringing together representatives of the Government, international partners, and national institutions to discuss development priorities, public policy coordination, and strategic cooperation across various areas.

The 9th Constitutional Government will hold the annual meeting with Timor-Leste’s Development Partners (TLDPM) on May 25^th and 26^th, 2026, at the Ministry of Finance, under the theme “Charting a Resilient Horizon: Blue Economy, ASEAN Integration, and Coordinated Action.” The meeting will bring together members of the Government, development partners, representatives of civil society, and the private sector to analyse national strategic priorities, development challenges, and institutional coordination mechanisms. 

At the opening session, Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão stated that “Timor-Leste’s resilience [...] is not merely the result of our people’s determination. It is also the result of the friendship, solidarity, and support we have received from our partners, from the struggle for independence to the building and consolidation of the state and the nation.”

The Head of the Government noted that the meeting is taking place at a symbolic moment for the country, following the celebrations of the 24th anniversary of the Restoration of Independence. He emphasised that “this was a celebration with very special significance. We celebrated 24 years of independence, a period equivalent to the duration of the struggle for independence.” He added that “this historic date is proof that a nation, even a small one, can achieve great victories when it fights with courage, awareness, national unity, and love for the homeland.”

During the TLDPM’s presentation, the Prime Minister emphasised the need to strengthen coordination between the Government and international partners, arguing that “these partnerships will only realise their full potential if they are based on a clear alignment between national priorities, funding, implementation strategies, and robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.”

The meeting’s agenda is divided between the plenary session on the morning of the first day and sector-specific interministerial sessions focused on key national development priorities. On the morning of the first day, the agenda includes presentations on the Policy and Action Plan for the Promotion of a Resilient and Sustainable Blue Economy, the monitoring report on the 2011-2030 Strategic Development Plan, Timor-Leste’s integration into ASEAN, and public administration reform. In the afternoon, discussions will focus on institutional and economic development, including strategic public policies, government coordination, and national economic priorities. On the second day, discussions will continue with sessions dedicated to infrastructure and social capital development.

Within the scope of the Blue Economy, the Prime Minister emphasised that “the 9th Constitutional Government has adopted a clear strategic vision: to transform our sea—which is central to our identity, economy, and geopolitics—into a source of sustainable development, social inclusion, and environmental resilience.” He added that “for Timor-Leste, the Blue Economy is not only a strategy for survival but also for development and climate resilience.”

Regarding the Strategic Development Plan (SDP), Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão stated that he views the document “not as a government plan, but as a collective legacy of the nation,” and argued for the need to “accelerate its implementation and translate progress into measurable results in people’s lives.”

Timor-Leste’s full integration into ASEAN is also a key topic of the meeting. The Prime Minister stated that joining the regional organisation “marks yet another historic milestone in our 24-year journey as an independent state” and added that “being part of ASEAN is, in itself, a constant exercise in commitment, responsibility, and coordinated action.”

In closing his remarks, the Prime Minister called for strengthened cooperation with partners, stating that “we will make history together, once again,” “prove to the world, once again, that our resilience overcomes our weaknesses, and that our coordinated action overcomes any obstacles to sustainable development.”

“Charting a Resilient Horizon: Blue Economy, ASEAN Integration and Coordinated Action”

 

Speech by H. E. the Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão
25 May 2026

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Australia’s Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, Richard Marles, paid an official visit to Timor-Leste to participate in celebrations marking the 24th anniversary of the Restoration of Independence, observed on May 20^th, 2026. During the visit, he met the President of the Republic, José Ramos-Horta; the Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão; the Minister of Defence, Donaciano da Costa Gomes “Pedro Klamar Fuik”; and other members of the Government, to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two countries. 

During the visit, the Prime Minister, accompanied by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Bendito dos Santos Freitas; the Minister of Defence, Donaciano da Costa Gomes “Pedro Klamar Fuik”; and the Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Francisco Monteiro, met with Richard Marles at the Government Palace in Dili.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed ways to strengthen ties of friendship and cooperation between Timor-Leste and Australia, as well as issues of mutual interest, including defence and security cooperation, regional and international developments, and monitoring Timor-Leste’s national development process.

Richard Marles expressed the Australian Government’s willingness to continue supporting Timor-Leste across various areas of cooperation, in line with the country’s priorities and needs, and acknowledged Timor-Leste’s progress over the past 24 years.

Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão said that “Australia is following Timor-Leste’s development” and added that the neighbouring country “is ready to support Timor-Leste when necessary.”

Richard Marles also noted that he considers Timor-Leste “a peaceful nation with a strong vision for the future” and highlighted the progress achieved since the restoration of independence.

As part of his official visit, Richard Marles also met the Minister of Defence to discuss strengthening bilateral defence cooperation, including the possibility of signing a bilateral agreement to deepen future cooperation and strengthen mechanisms for defending shared interests.

The parties also discussed cooperation within ASEAN, including joint participation in the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) and its specialised working groups, following Timor-Leste’s full accession to ASEAN in 2025.

During his visit, Richard Marles congratulated the people of Timor-Leste on the 24th anniversary of the Restoration of Independence. They reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to further developing its bilateral partnership with Timor-Leste.

On May 20^th, 2026, President José Ramos-Horta, accompanied by Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, presided over the groundbreaking ceremony for a residence for female Timorese students in Dili, an initiative supported by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) through President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. 

During the ceremony, a memorandum of understanding was also signed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Bendito dos Santos Freitas, and the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Indonesia and non-resident Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Abdulla Salem Al Dhaheri, to implement the “Housing and Social Facilities Project for Female Students” in Timor-Leste.

Australian Vice-Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Richard Donald Marles also attended the ceremony, alongside members of the Government, representatives of State institutions, the diplomatic corps, and international guests.

The project involves constructing residential facilities to accommodate up to 300 female university students from vulnerable families and various municipalities across the country, with the aim of supporting access to higher education in Dili, particularly for young women pursuing fields such as science, technology, medicine, economics, and information technology.

According to Ambassador Abdulla Salem Al Dhaheri, the initiative reflects the United Arab Emirates’ commitment to sustainable development, education, and humanitarian cooperation.

“This important initiative benefits from the generous guidance and support of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, whose visionary leadership continues to place great emphasis on sustainable development, education, and humanitarian cooperation worldwide.”

The President of the Republic noted that the project arose from concerns about the precarious living conditions faced by many East Timorese female students who had moved to Dili to pursue their university studies. He also emphasised that the residential complex was designed as a modern facility incorporating technological and environmental solutions, including solar energy, rainwater collection and treatment systems, wastewater recycling, and circular-economy principles.

The residence will include a library, study rooms, a dining hall, a health clinic, and green spaces, to provide an environment conducive to students’ academic and personal development.

“Today is a day of hope and progress for the young women of Timor-Leste. Education is the most powerful tool for changing the world, and for our daughters to succeed, they must be able to learn safely and with dignity.”

President José Ramos-Horta also highlighted the strengthening of bilateral relations between Timor-Leste and the United Arab Emirates and welcomed the UAE’s intention to establish an embassy in Dili.

The project is scheduled for completion in 2027 and will be built on a site adjacent to the Nicolau Lobato Presidential Palace. It forms part of the bilateral cooperation between Timor-Leste and the United Arab Emirates in the areas of education, institutional capacity-building, and development.