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Speech by H. E. the Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão
Grand Hall of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, 5 June 2026

available soon…

available soon

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 June 3rd, 2026

The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace in Dili and approved the draft Government Resolution, which extends until December 31^st, 2026, the suspension of the teaching, learning, and practice of martial arts, as well as the temporary closure of all venues and facilities used for the teaching, learning, and practice of martial arts.

The decision extends Government Resolution No. 45/2023, dated November 10^th, which has been successively extended by Resolutions No. 17/2024, of April 24^th; No. 60/2024, of November 7^th; No. 22/2025, of April 7^th; and No. 77/2025, of December 17^th. The grounds for the current suspension remain in effect, namely the need to consolidate the social peace achieved since November 2023 and to ensure that the practice of martial arts falls exclusively within the scope of healthy sporting activities and contributes to the civic and humanistic education and training of young people.

Meanwhile, on July 30^th, 2025, the 9th Constitutional Government approved a Law Proposal—already submitted to the National Parliament—aimed at regulating the new legal framework for the practice of martial arts. Until the Law Proposal is approved and enters into force, the suspension and temporary closure of facilities used for the teaching, learning, and practice of martial arts must remain in effect.

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The Council of Ministers supported the new budget preparation methodology, presented by Finance Minister Santina José Rodrigues F. Viegas Cardoso, which will be applied for the first time to the preparation of the General State Budget for 2027 and will serve as the framework for subsequent budgetary processes. The reform, set out in Decree-Law No. 42/2025 of July 30^th, aims to strengthen budgetary discipline, improve alignment between the Government’s policy priorities and the allocation of public resources, and promote more rigorous multi-year financial planning.

Under the new model, ministries are required to prepare their budget proposals based on previously defined policy priorities, established budgetary limits, and financial estimates for the coming years, to enhance the predictability of public spending and the assessment of the costs of government policies.

During the presentation, the main changes to the budgetary process were also discussed, including the creation of the Policy Review Committee, which replaces the former Budget Review Committee and will now be responsible for assessing and verifying the priorities of ministerial proposals; the adoption of standardised templates for preparing proposals; and the strengthening of monitoring of the implementation and performance of public programmes.

The plan for preparing the 2027 GSB was also presented. It sets out the following steps to be taken between June and September: defining policy priorities; submitting and evaluating proposals from the ministries; holding Budgetary Days; and having the budget proposal approved by the Council of Ministers before it is submitted to the National Parliament by October 1^st, 2026.

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The Council of Ministers approved the draft resolution of the National Parliament, submitted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Bendito dos Santos Freitas, and the Vice Minister for ASEAN Affairs, Milena Maria da Costa Rangel, for ratification of the Cebu Protocol Amending the Charter of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The protocol, adopted at the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, Philippines, on May 8^th, 2026, formally amends the ASEAN Charter to reflect Timor-Leste’s admission as the organisation’s eleventh member state. The amendment updates the official list of Member States, as well as the ASEAN flag and emblem.

The ratification of this instrument marks another step towards Timor-Leste’s full integration into ASEAN, ensuring the country’s participation in the organisation’s institutional framework and the fulfilment of the commitments undertaken upon acceding to the ASEAN Charter.

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The Council of Ministers has granted full powers to the Ambassador of Timor-Leste to the Commonwealth of Australia, Inês Maria de Almeida, to sign the Declaration of Intent to Establish Diplomatic Relations between the Government of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste and the Government of the Federated States of Micronesia.

The purpose of this initiative is to formalise the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, in accordance with the principles of the United Nations Charter and the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of April 18^th, 1961.

The decision reflects the mutual interest of Timor-Leste and the Federated States of Micronesia in strengthening ties of friendship and bilateral cooperation, thereby contributing to international peace and security, based on the principles of equality among States, national sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, and non-interference in internal affairs.

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The Council of Ministers supported the signing of two memoranda of understanding between Timor-Leste and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in the fields of education and higher education.

The agreements aim to strengthen bilateral cooperation by promoting partnerships between educational and research institutions, facilitating exchanges of students, faculty, and experts, sharing best practices and educational experiences, developing training and research programs, and promoting scholarship opportunities, subject to the availability of resources on both sides.

The memorandum of understanding on education will be signed by the Minister of Education, Dulce de Jesus Soares, and by Vietnam’s Minister of Education and Vocational Training. The memorandum of understanding on higher education, science, and culture will be signed by the Acting Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Culture, Mariano Assanami Sabino. Both agreements will be signed by Vietnam’s Minister of Education and Training.

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The Council of Ministers heard a presentation from Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão on the 2026 National Ocean Week, which will run from June 3^rd to 8^th, with activities in Dili, Ataúro, Lautém, and the rest of the country’s municipalities.

The initiative forms part of the celebrations for the first National Day of the Sea, observed on June 5^th, and culminates in the celebration of World Oceans Day on June 8^th. Established by Government Resolution No. 67/2025 of October 24^th, National Sea Day aims to raise awareness of the sea’s strategic importance to Timor-Leste, promote the protection of marine ecosystems, the sustainable use of ocean resources, and the development of the blue economy.

Throughout the week, a range of activities will take place, focusing on awareness-raising, education, culture, tourism, sports, environmental conservation, and the promotion of the nation’s maritime heritage. The programme includes the opening of an outdoor photo exhibition on the Dili Waterfront, the Ocean Parade, the Ocean Fair, the launch of the Blue Economy Portal, the Maritime Tourism Fair, coastal clean-ups, sea turtle releases, cultural and educational contests, religious celebrations, community activities, and marine conservation initiatives. The programme also extends to schools across the country through environmental education and ocean protection initiatives taking place from June 1^st to 8^th.

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In accordance with the proposal presented by Vice Minister of Trade Augusto Júnior Trindade, the Council of Ministers decided to accept Timor-Leste’s hosting of the 115th Meeting of the ASEAN Coordinating Committee on Services (CCS) in Timor-Leste, scheduled for the first quarter of 2027, as proposed by the ASEAN Secretariat, as part of its obligations as a member and in preparation for its ASEAN Chairmanship in 2029.

The CCS is ASEAN’s main body responsible for coordinating policies on the integration and liberalisation of trade in services; it promotes the reduction of trade barriers, the opening of services markets, and the mobility of qualified professionals among ASEAN member states.

Holding this meeting in Timor-Leste is a strategically important opportunity to further Timor-Leste’s integration into ASEAN and to strengthen the country’s active participation in ASEAN’s sectoral mechanisms, while also enabling relevant ministries and agencies to gain practical experience in managing ASEAN meetings, diplomatic protocol, logistical coordination, and stakeholder engagement.

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Lastly, the Council of Ministers approved the draft Government Resolution, presented by the Minister of the Interior, Francisco da Costa Guterres, on determining the annual staffing requirements for the National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL) in 2026.

The Government Resolution sets the number of additional positions to be recruited by the PNTL in 2026 at 350, in addition to the 400 positions previously approved for admission to the Police Officer Training Course, bringing the total to 750 positions. Of the planned positions, 400 are intended for general policing carried out by the Municipal Commands, and 350 are intended to reinforce the PNTL’s Specialised and Reserve Units, specifically the Maritime Police Unit, the Border Patrol Unit, and the Special Police Unit.

This measure aims to strengthen the PNTL’s operational capacity to address national security needs, given the challenges posed by upcoming elections, border protection, and Timor-Leste’s 2029 ASEAN chairmanship. END

will be available soon, see the Portuguese version below

A Semana Nacional do Oceano 2026 decorrerá entre 3 e 8 de junho, com iniciativas em Díli, Ataúro, Lautém e nos restantes municípios do país, que envolvem atividades de sensibilização ambiental, educação, cultura, turismo, economia azul e conservação marinha.

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3 de junho de 2026 (quarta-feira)

Díli

Open Art Gallery
Local: Passeio Marginal, em frente ao Palácio do Governo até à Unidade de Polícia Marítima (UPM)
Responsável: Direção-Geral do Turismo.

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5 de junho de 2026 (sexta-feira) – Dia Nacional do Mar

Díli

Limpeza da Zona Costeira
Em toda a cidade.
Responsável: Autoridade Municipal de Díli (AMD).

Desfile do Oceano (Ocean Parade)
Horário: 07h00 às 12h00.
Percurso: Ministério dos Negócios Estrangeiros e Cooperação (MNEC) até Lecidere.
Responsável: Direção-Geral do Turismo.

Feira do Oceano – Abertura – 1.º Dia
Horário: 12h00 às 00h00.
Local: Lecidere.

Responsável: Ministério do Comércio e Indústria (MCI).
Lançamento do Portal da Economia Azul
Horário: 16h00 às 17h00.
Local: Salão Nobre do MNEC.
Responsável: Gabinete das Fronteiras Terrestres e Marítimas (GFTM).

Todo o país

Cerimónia “Tara Bandu do Oceano”.
Juramento Ecológico dos Estudantes.
Local: Escolas nacionais.
Responsável: Ministério da Educação.

Ataúro
Cerimónias de Inauguração
Inauguração do projeto “Be-Mos”.
Inauguração do “Jardim Escola Verde”.
Inauguração do “Suco Verde”.
Horário: 08h30 às 12h30.
Local: Biqueli (Acrema).
Responsáveis:
Autoridade Administrativa de Ataúro (AAA);
Direção-Geral do Ambiente (DGA);
Delegação Territorial das Pescas;
Polícia Nacional de Timor-Leste (PNTL), Unidade de Polícia Marítima (UPM) e Posto Naval.

Feira e Atividades Culturais
Abertura da Feira de Produtos Locais e Exposição;
Competição “hean roo”;
Competição “hakail”;
Competição “bubur”;
Competição de culinária tradicional marinha;
Animação cultural e concerto.
Horário: 15h30 às 21h30.
Local: Maquili.
Entidades envolvidas:
Autoridade Administrativa de Ataúro (AAA); Fundação para o Desenvolvimento Empresarial de Timor-Leste (FEDA); Beni Marine; Coral Triangle Center (CTC); WorldFish Center Timor-Leste; Blue Ventures Timor-Leste; Delegações Territoriais das Pescas e do Ambiente; Ministério do Comércio e Indústria; PNTL, UPM e Posto Naval.

Lautém

Comemoração do Dia Nacional do Mar
Local: Campo 28 de Novembro.

Desfile da Caravana Oceano
Caminhada desde o Mercado Lama até ao Campo 28 de Novembro.
Competição de Pintura sobre a Conservação do Mar
Local: Campo 28 de Novembro.

Jogo Amigável S-40
Entre Muacau e Legen Moko.
Local: Campo 28 de Novembro.
Responsável: Comissão Organizadora Municipal.

Outros Municípios
Limpeza da Zona Costeira (Beach Clean-Up)
Certame Municipal.

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6 de junho de 2026 (sábado)

Díli

Competição de Castelos de Areia
Horário: 07h00 às 10h00.
Local: Dolok Oan.
Responsável: Direção-Geral do Turismo.

Libertação de Tartarugas
Horário: 09h00 às 12h00.
Local: Dolok Oan.
Responsável: Direção-Geral do Ambiente.

Feira do Oceano – 2.º Dia

Horário: 18h00 às 00h00.
Local: Lecidere.
Responsável: Ministério do Comércio e Indústria.

Ataúro

Continuação da Feira, Exposição e Animação Cultural
Continuação da preparação para as atividades do Dia Mundial do Oceano
Horário: 08h00 às 21h30.
Local: Maquili.
Entidades envolvidas: AAA, FEDA, Beni Marine, CTC, WorldFish Center Timor-Leste, Blue Ventures Timor-Leste, Delegações Territoriais das Pescas e do Ambiente, PNTL, UPM e Posto Naval.

Lautém

Limpeza Geral da Zona Costeira
Local: Capital do Município de Lautém.
Competição de Dança Cultural
Tema: Dia Nacional do Mar.
Local: Campo 28 de Novembro.
Responsável: Comissão Organizadora Municipal.

Outros Municípios
Limpeza da Zona Costeira
Certame

7 de junho de 2026 (domingo)
Díli
Missa de Agradecimento
Horário: 09h30.
Local: Catedral da Imaculada Conceição.
Responsáveis: GFTM e Direção-Geral do Ambiente.
Feira do Oceano – Encerramento (3.º Dia)
Horário: 18h00 às 00h00.
Local: Lecidere.
Responsável: Ministério do Comércio e Indústria.

Feira de Turismo Marítimo
Horário: 08h00 às 17h00.
Local: Timor Plaza.
Responsável: Direção-Geral do Turismo.

Ataúro

Celebrações Religiosas
Missa na Igreja de São José.
Culto na Igreja Damasco.
Horário: 08h00.
Local: Maquili.
Responsáveis: Comissão Organizadora e Comunidade.

Lautém
Certame – Nível Secundário
Local: Campo 28 de Novembro.
Concurso de Oratória (Public Speaking)
Local: Campo 28 de Novembro.
Responsável: Comissão Organizadora Municipal.

Outros Municípios
Limpeza da Zona Costeira
Certame

8 de junho de 2026 (segunda-feira) – Dia Mundial do Oceano

Díli

Limpeza da Zona Costeira
Em toda a cidade.
Responsável: Autoridade Municipal de Díl

Underwater Clean-Up
Local: Liquiçá.
Responsável: Dreamers Academy (Setor Privado).

Ataúro

Programa de Encerramento

Continuação da feira, exposição e animação cultural;
Competição “hean roo”;
Competição “hakail”;
Competição de culinária tradicional marinha;
Cerimónia de entrega de prémios e encerramento.
Horário: 08h30 às 21h30.
Local: Maquili.
Entidades envolvidas:
AAA, FEDA, Beni Marine, CTC, WorldFish Center Timor-Leste, Blue Ventures Timor-Leste, Delegações Territoriais das Pescas e do Ambiente, Ministério do Comércio e Indústria, PNTL, UPM e Posto Naval.

Lautém

Comemoração do Dia Mundial do Oceano

Local: Campo 28 de Novembro.

Concurso da Caravana de Vestuário – Tema: O Mar.
Tema: O Mar.
Local: Capital de Lautém.
Responsáveis: Comissão Organizadora Municipal e Autoridade Municipal.
Outros Municípios
Limpeza da Zona Costeira (Beach Clean-Up)
Certame Municipal.

Programa Nacional nas Escolas (1 a 8 de junho de 2026)

Atividades a decorrer em Díli e em todos os municípios do país:
Cerimónia “Tara Bandu do Oceano”;
Juramento Ecológico dos Estudantes;
Concurso Nacional de Vídeos Educativos;
“Semana Azul” nas Escolas;
Hora da Leitura Azul;
Concurso Nacional de Desenho e Pintura;
Experiências Científicas sobre Água e Poluição;
Lançamento nacional da iniciativa “Gerasaun Azul Timor-Leste”.
Responsável: Ministério da Educação.

Today, June 2^nd, 2026, the National Parliament approved, in a final overall vote, the proposal for the first amendment to Law No. 8/2025 of November 27^th, regarding the General State Budget for 2026 (2026 supplementary GSB). The proposal was approved with 42 votes in favour, zero against, and 23 abstentions.

The amendment to the 2026 GSB aims to address the effects of the current international situation, marked by geopolitical instability and fluctuations in international energy markets, by measures to strengthen national energy security, stabilise fuel prices, and ensure the continued operation of essential services.

Among the key measures planned is the establishment of a National Strategic Fuel Reserve worth US$174.3 million, intended to cover approximately seven months of the country’s electricity generation fuel needs. A fuel subsidy programme worth US$42 million is also planned, with the aim of mitigating the impact of rising international prices on households and businesses.

The proposal also provides for the strengthening of the National Logistics Centre’s rice stockpile, additional funds for the recruitment of 400 cadets for the National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL), expenses related to the exercise of the Pro Tempore Presidency of the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP), the strengthening of the operational capacity of notary services, and an increase in the State Contingency Reserve.

Under this amendment, the consolidated amount of the 2026 GSB increases by US$101.1 million, rising from US$2.291 billion to US$2.392 billion. The budget increase does not result from increased transfers from the Petroleum Fund, but rather from the realignment of the government’s financing sources, including management balances, available balances in non-operating bank accounts, and increased domestic revenues.

The parliamentary review process for the proposal began after its formal submission to the National Parliament on May 15^th, following its approval by the Council of Ministers on May 13^th. After public hearings organised by the Specialist Standing Committees and the Prime Minister’s presentation of the proposal in plenary, the amendment to the 2026 General State Budget was approved in general terms on May 28^th, before proceeding to detailed discussion and voting, which culminated today in the final overall vote.

 

Once the parliamentary process is complete, the final draft of the law will be submitted to the President of the Republic for promulgation, in accordance with the Constitution of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste.

available soon

From May 26^th to 28^th, 2026, Vice Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for Social Affairs, and Minister of Rural Development and Community Housing, Mariano Assanami Sabino, attended the 2026 Global Forum on Poverty Reduction and Development (GPPAD) in Beijing, People’s Republic of China, where he advocated strengthening international cooperation to combat poverty, promote food security, and support sustainable development. 

The forum brought together representatives from some 60 countries and international organisations to discuss strategies for cooperation to combat poverty, promote rural development, ensure food security, and achieve sustainable growth. During his remarks, Mariano Assanami Sabino stated that poverty is a global challenge that requires joint responses and greater solidarity among countries.

“No country can tackle these challenges alone. Global solidarity and cooperation are essential to achieving inclusive and sustainable development,” he said.

The Vice Prime Minister reaffirmed Timor-Leste’s commitment to rural development, the modernisation of agriculture, the creation of opportunities for young people, the improvement of community housing conditions, and the strengthening of food security. He also highlighted the role of fisheries in promoting social inclusion and reducing poverty.

During the forum, Mariano Assanami Sabino acknowledged China’s achievements in eradicating extreme poverty and expressed Timor-Leste’s interest in deepening bilateral cooperation across areas including agricultural modernisation, irrigation systems, hybrid rice development, livestock farming, vocational training, food security, and rural infrastructure.

On the sidelines of GPPAD 2026, the Vice Prime Minister met with China’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Zhang Zhu. The meeting strengthened bilateral cooperation in agriculture, livestock, veterinary medicine, food safety, technological innovation, and sustainable rural development, and identified opportunities for technical cooperation, knowledge transfer, and institutional strengthening.

“Agriculture remains an essential pillar of economic development and the well-being of rural communities in Timor-Leste,” said Mariano Assanami Sabino.

 

As part of the official mission, the Timorese delegation—which also included the new Ambassador of Timor-Leste to the People’s Republic of China, Loro Horta—visited rural and agricultural development projects in China, including Pekin Wode Chenlong Biotechnology Co., Ltd. and the hamlets of Xiying and Nanshan, both recognised for their agricultural modernisation and rural revitalisation programmes.

The visits provided an opportunity to observe the application of biotechnology, smart agricultural systems, rural tourism, e-commerce, and community-based economic development mechanisms. According to the Vice Prime Minister, China’s experience offers valuable lessons for Timor-Leste, particularly in strategic planning, investment in human resources, and the promotion of tangible benefits for communities.

 

“Timor-Leste does not intend to copy China’s development model wholesale, but rather to learn from the principles and experiences underpinning its success, namely long-term strategic planning, investment in people, and ensuring that the benefits of development reach local communities,” he said.

During the visit, Mariano Assanami Sabino also met with East Timorese scholarship students pursuing higher education in China, in a meeting dedicated to sharing experiences and identifying the main challenges facing the student community.

Among the topics discussed, the validity of Timorese passports—currently set at five years—stood out, as students believe this could create difficulties during their studies. In response, the Vice Prime Minister assured them that the Government would examine the issue and seek solutions tailored to the needs of Timorese citizens abroad.

The Vice Prime Minister also called for unity, solidarity, and responsibility among the students and encouraged them to continue their education with discipline, a critical mindset, and a sense of commitment to the country.

“True leadership means putting the national interest first and applying the knowledge we’ve gained to serve society,” he said.

Timor-Leste’s participation in GPPAD 2026 and the activities carried out during the visit to China helped strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries and identify opportunities for cooperation in rural development, food security, human resource development, and poverty reduction.

 

On May 29^th, 2026, the Government of Timor-Leste and the European Union signed two financing agreements totalling €9 million (approximately US$10.48 million) to modernise the judicial system and promote the sustainable development of the private sector. The ceremony took place in the Grand Hall of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation in Dili, as part of the official visit to Timor-Leste by Pēteris Ustubs, Director for Asia and the Pacific at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for International Partnerships. 

The agreements formalise funding for the programmes “E-Governance for the Judicial System in Timor-Leste” (e-JUS TL), with €6 million in support (approximately US$6.99 million), and “Creation and Development of Sustainable Businesses and the Circular Economy” (CRESCE), funded with €3 million (approximately US$3.49 million).

On behalf of the 9th Constitutional Government, Vice Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister of Economic Affairs, Minister of Tourism and the Environment Francisco Kalbuadi Lay signed the agreement on the CRESCE programme, while Minister of Justice Sérgio de Jesus Fernandes da Costa Hornai signed the agreement on the e-JUS TL project. The agreements were signed with the European Union, represented by the European Union Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Thorsten Bargfrede.

At the opening session, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Bendito dos Santos Freitas, emphasised that the two agreements reflect the strength of the partnership between Timor-Leste and the European Union and their shared commitment to sustainable development. The Minister also emphasised that both initiatives align with the 2011-2030 Strategic Development Plan and the priorities of the 9th Constitutional Government’s Program, contributing to economic diversification, the promotion of good governance, institutional strengthening, and human capital development.

During the ceremony, the Vice Prime Minister said that these agreements mark “an important step towards sustainable development, good governance, and the modernisation of public institutions in Timor-Leste,” and emphasised that the partnership between Timor-Leste and the European Union reflects a shared commitment to inclusive economic growth, transparency, and environmental sustainability.

The CRESCE programme aims to support the creation and development of sustainable micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, with a particular focus on the circular economy, agroforestry, sustainable tourism, fisheries, and other sectors with growth potential. The initiative also includes measures to improve access to credit for women, young people, and local entrepreneurs, thereby contributing to economic diversification, job creation, and regional development outside major urban centres.

In his speech, Francisco Kalbuadi Lay emphasised that the initiative will support the transition to more sustainable production and consumption models and help create new economic opportunities for communities, particularly for young people and women entrepreneurs.

The e-JUS TL project aims to modernise and digitise the Timorese judicial system by implementing e-governance solutions to improve the efficiency, accessibility, and transparency of justice services. The initiative includes the digitisation of court proceedings, the enhancement of interoperability among courts and other justice sector institutions, and the training of judges, public defenders, court officers, and other professionals in the field.

The Minister of Justice emphasised that the project represents “a historic milestone and a decisive step towards the modernisation of the Timorese state,” adding that the main objective is to establish an integrated digital justice system that links courts, the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the Public Defender’s Office, the police, and civil registry services. According to the minister, the initiative will improve access to justice, including in rural areas, while strengthening citizens’ trust in judicial institutions.

The two programmes are part of the cooperation framework between Timor-Leste and the European Union, established by the 2021–2027 Multiannual Indicative Programme, and fall under the European Union’s Global Gateway Strategy. The initiatives align with the 2011-2030 Strategic Development Plan, the Programme of the 9th Constitutional Government, and the priorities associated with Timor-Leste’s regional integration into ASEAN, contributing to the modernisation of public administration, digital transformation, the strengthening of the rule of law, and the promotion of sustainable economic growth.

The ceremony was attended by representatives of the European Union Delegation, members of the diplomatic corps, judges, legal professionals, and representatives of other national and international organisations involved in governance, development, and cooperation.