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Presidency of the Council of Ministers

Spokesperson of the Government of Timor-Leste

Ninth Constitutional Government

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Press Release

Meeting of the Council of Ministers on December 22nd 2025

The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace in Dili and approved the draft Government Decree, presented by the Minister of Finance, Santina José Rodrigues F. Viegas Cardoso, approving the “Regulations for the implementation of the Procurement and Public Contracts Code” and the “Overview of the legal framework for public procurement in Timor-Leste”.

The documents approved under this Government Decree were drawn up to support civil servants, procurement managers and other stakeholders in the public procurement process, provide them with clear guidance on the implementation of the new legal framework established by Decree Law No. 1/2025 of January 8^th, which approved the Public Procurement and Contracts Code.

The Regulation and Overview provide an objective summary of the main provisions introduced by the new Code, highlighting its structural principles and detailing the contracting methods to be adopted to ensure transparency, efficiency, and preference for domestic suppliers in the award of public contracts.

The documents will be made available on the Procurement Portal, in the official languages and translated into the working languages, and apply to public contracts for the purchase or lease of goods, procurement of services, or execution of works, with a view to meeting the needs of the services and entities of the Public Administrative Sector.

This Government Decree shall enter into force on January 1^st, 2026.

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The Council of Ministers approved the draft Government Decree, also presented by the Minister of Finance, which approves the Standard Procurement Documents provided for in Decree-Law No. 1/2025 of January 8^th on the Procurement and Public Contracts Code.

This Government Decree approves the Standard Procurement Documents, organised into three distinct categories—Goods, Services, and Works—to facilitate their application depending on the nature of the public contract in question.

The forms required for the execution of procurement procedures will be made available by the Ministry of Finance on the Procurement Portal. Public sector services and entities must keep the procurement procedure registration system on file for at least 10 years from the date of registration.

This Government Decree shall enter into force on January 1^st, 2026.

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Lastly, the Council of Ministers analysed the presentation by the Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Francisco da Costa Monteiro, and the National Procurement Commission on the post-qualification process for companies competing for the Suai Logistics Base and South Coast Motorway projects, conducted between November and December 2025. The presentation focused on the technical, financial and capacity assessment of the selected companies, as well as on discussions held with banking institutions and bidders on financing models. Following this analysis, the Council of Ministers endorsed the recommendations presented, agreeing with the definition of the next steps, which include the possible creation of an interministerial commission to conduct financing negotiations and the preparation of a specific legal framework for the development of these strategic projects, in order to ensure legal clarity, institutional coordination and protection of the interests of the State. END

Presidency of the Council of Ministers

Spokesperson of the Government of Timor-Leste

Ninth Constitutional Government

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

December 22^nd, 2025

Press Release

National holidays in 2026

The public holidays with a fixed date and variable date for 2026, determined by the Law n.10/2005 of 10th of August, are:

a) 1st of January – New Year’s Day (fixed date public holiday);

b) 3rd of March – Veterans Day (fixed date public holiday);

c) 20th of March –  Idul Fitri (variable date public holiday);

d) 3rd of April – Holy Friday (variable date public holiday);

e) 1st of May – World Labour Day (fixed date public holiday);

f) 20th of May – Restoration of Independence Day (fixed date public holiday);

g) 27th of May – Idul Adha (variable date public holiday);

h) 4th of June – Corpus Christi (variable date public holiday);

j) 30th of August – Popular Consultation Day (fixed date public holiday);

j) 1st of November – All Saints Day (fixed date public holiday);

k) 2nd of November – All Souls Day (fixed date public holiday);

l) 3rd of November – National Women’s Day (fixed date public holiday);

m) 12th of November –National Youth Day (fixed date public holiday);

n) 28th of November – Proclamation of Independence Day (fixed date public holiday);

o) 7th of December – Memorial Day (fixed date public holiday);

p) 8th of December – Day of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception and Timor-Leste Patroness (fixed date public holiday);

q) 25th of December – Christmas Day (fixed date public holiday).

r) 31st of December – National Heroes Day (fixed date public holiday).

The Law n. 10/2005, of 10th of August, determines national public holidays, official commemorative dates and the granting of days-off, and has been amended by Law n. 3/2016, of 25th of May and by Law n.º 10/2023, of 5th of April, to recognise key historical dates of the Timorese Struggle for National Liberation and for the recognition of the role of women in Timorese society. ENDS

 

On December 18^th, 2025, the 9th Constitutional Government inaugurated the One-Stop Shop in the Special Administrative Region of Oé-Cusse Ambeno (RAEOA), continuing the expansion of this model of integrated citizen services, following the recent opening of the One-Stop Shop in the Municipality of Covalima on December 11^th. 

The Minister of State Administration, Tomás do Rosário Cabral, accompanied by the Secretary of State for Local Development, Mateus W. dos Santos Talló, the President of the RAEOA Authority, Régio da Cruz Salu, and a representative of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) chaired the ceremony to launch the Oé-Cusse One-Stop Shop.

With the opening of the Oé-Cusse One-Stop Shop, there are now nine One-Stop Shops operating throughout the country, located in the municipalities of Aileu, Baucau, Covalima, Dili, Liquiçá, Manatuto, and Manufahi, as well as in the Administrative Authority of Ataúro and now in RAEOA. The opening of new One-Stop Shops in the municipalities of Ainaro, Bobonaro, Ermera, Lautém, and Viqueque is also planned for 2026.

The One-Stop Shop is an initiative of the Ministry of State Administration, through the Directorate-General for Simplification and Modernisation of Local Administration, in compliance with Decree-Law No. 3/2025. It is a decentralised service centre that allows citizens to access information and various public services in a single location, thereby reducing travel, costs, and administrative procedures.

In the specific context of RAEOA, the Oé-Cusse One-Stop Shop plays a strategic role in coordinating between the Central Administration and the Regional Administration, ensuring the provision of integrated services tailored to the region’s institutional characteristics, bringing services closer to citizens.

On the same day, the Technical Secretariat for Electoral Administration (STAE) building on the Special Administrative Region of Oé-Cusse Ambeno was also inaugurated, strengthening the institutional conditions for the regular functioning of electoral services and for the preparation of the upcoming electoral processes in the region. With this inauguration, the STAE in RAEOA now has adequate space for the mobilisation of equipment and logistical materials, ensuring the necessary preparations for the 2027 presidential elections and municipal elections.

Members of the National Parliament, representatives of municipal authorities, public administration officials and technicians, security forces, community leaders, and members of the local community attended the ceremonies.

 

On December 16^th and 17^th, 2025, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Bendito dos Santos Freitas, held several bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the 11th session of the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (COSP11), which is taking place from December 15^th to 19^th in Doha, Qatar, with the aim of strengthening international cooperation in the fight against corruption and transnational crime. 

On December 16^th, the Minister met with a delegation from the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) to discuss cooperation between Timor-Leste and this international organisation. During the meeting, INTERPOL expressed its willingness to support Timor-Leste in human resources training to strengthen national capabilities in the fight against corruption, organised crime, and transnational crime, including through ASEAN regional mechanisms and the use of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, in criminal investigation. 

On December 17^th, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation met with the Australian delegation to discuss the future establishment of a bilateral cooperation partnership to combat corruption, transnational crime, and organised crime. The meeting provided an opportunity to exchange views on identifying human resource capacity-building needs, particularly for investigators, and to share experiences and good practices, including in cooperation with ASEAN member states. 

Also on December 17^th, the Minister met with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) team to discuss mechanisms to combat illicit gambling, money laundering, drug-related crime, and the use of digital technologies and artificial intelligence, both regionally and in Timor-Leste. The parties explored possibilities for cooperation in technical training and institutional capacity building, including the use of forensic equipment to investigate and detect cross-border crime. During the meeting, UNODC invited the Government of Timor-Leste to participate in an international conference on combating illegal gambling and smuggling, to be held in Vienna in 2026.

Rui Pereira dos Santos, Commissioner of the Anti-Corruption Commission; Vicente Fernandes Brito, National Director of the Scientific Criminal Investigation Police; Virginia Ana Belo, Member of Parliament; and Angelina Saldanha, Deputy Attorney General of the Republic, participated in the meetings. 

Presidency of the Council of Ministers

Spokesperson of the Government of Timor-Leste

Ninth Constitutional Government

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Press Release

Meeting of the Council of Ministers on December 17th 2025

The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace in Dili and approved the Government’s draft resolution, presented jointly by the Ministers of Finance and Public Works, Santina Cardoso and Samuel Marçal, respectively, which determines that an audit of the debts of public institutions to Eletricidade de Timor-Leste, E.P. (EDTL), and provides for the partial payment of the validated amount, as provided for in the 2025 General State Budget.

The decision takes into account the existence of accumulated debts related to the supply of electricity, estimated at around US$28 million, which affect EDTL’s financial sustainability and operational capacity, a situation also highlighted in reports by the Chamber of Accounts.

The Government Resolution requires the Ministry of Finance to conduct a detailed audit to determine the amounts actually owed by each entity. It also provides for the payment, in 2025, of US$18 million, already included in the General State Budget, and the definition of a phased plan for the settlement of the remaining amount in subsequent years.

The measure also establishes the obligation for public institutions to adequately budget for electricity supply expenses to avoid the accumulation of new debts and ensure the sustainability of the services provided by EDTL.

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The Council of Ministers has decided to approve the Roadmap for the Development of the Housing Market in Timor-Leste.

The Roadmap outlines a comprehensive vision for the housing sector, organised around four main pillars: guaranteeing land and housing rights, expanding access to adequate and resilient housing solutions, developing financing systems for families, and establishing the institutional and data infrastructure needed to sustain long-term policies. The approach follows a cycle of action and learning—do, evaluate, and expand—allowing solutions to be tested in the field, incorporated into public policy, and effective models to be consolidated.

Among the central pillars outlined, the following stand out: strengthening the land administration system, conducting detailed analysis of housing market needs, promoting resilient construction practices, and diversifying supply solutions, including private sector-led projects, self-build initiatives, and community and vertical housing promoted by the Government. The Roadmap also envisages the gradual development of financial instruments to help families access suitable solutions, based on the guidelines and models defined by the Central Bank of Timor-Leste.

This initiative by the Government seeks to address the increasing demand for housing and the necessity of providing decent and adequate accommodation for citizens, as outlined in the Constitution and the Program of the 9th Constitutional Government. It promotes an integrated approach involving public institutions, the private sector, and development partners, aiming to improve the living conditions of Timorese families.

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The Council of Ministers approved three draft resolutions presented by the Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Francisco da Costa Monteiro, to authorise expenditures for the development of the oil sector and the implementation of strategic infrastructure on the southern coast of the country.

Under Program A13, related to the development of the Greater Sunrise gas field and ensuring the export pipeline reaches Timor-Leste, expenditure was approved for geotechnical surveys for both the Greater Sunrise pipeline and the Bayu Undan pipeline, covering two separate lots, for the period between 2025 and 2027. The costs amount to approximately US$36 million for Lot 2 and approximately US$12.9 million for Lot 1.

Under Program A18, relating to the implementation of the Tasi Mane Project on the south coast of the country, the Council of Ministers also approved expenditure for the rehabilitation of an existing section of the highway, including the construction of two underpasses. This intervention, part of the subprogramme for developing infrastructure to support the Tasi Mane Project, involves an investment of approximately US$13.5 million.

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Lastly, following the policy decision made at the previous meeting of the Council of Ministers and the discussions held since then, including further technical talks with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Council of Ministers has decided to continue the assessment of the loan under the Ordinary Capital Resources (OCR) linked to the “President Nicolau Lobato International Airport Expansion” Project, dated January 1^st, 2021, in the amount of US$85 million, within the framework of the State’s financial policy and responsible public debt management.

In this context, the Government will commence institutional discussions with the ADB to negotiate a potential reduction in the specified financing component, based on cost savings achieved and in line with ongoing project implementation.

This assessment is part of the Government’s broader effort to ensure the efficient, appropriate, and sustainable use of public resources, including careful consideration of the suitability of financing instruments for each project, taking into account the project’s degree of implementation, defined national priorities, and practical implementation capacity.

It should also be clarified that, regarding the press release issued after the Council of Ministers meeting on December 10^th, 2025, the Power Distribution Modernisation project has not been cancelled; only the financing agreement previously entered into with the ADB has been cancelled. END

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Bendito dos Santos Freitas, and his delegation are attending the 11th session of the Conference of the States Parties (COSP11) to the United Nations Convention against Corruption, which takes place from December 15^th to 19^th, 2025, in Doha, Qatar, under the theme “Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity.” 

COSP11, organised by the State of Qatar in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), brings together States Parties, signatories, observer States, international organisations, civil society, and experts, providing a forum to evaluate progress in implementing the Convention, discuss emerging challenges, and adopt resolutions that guide global priorities in combating corruption.

Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Bin Jassim Al Thani, the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, inaugurated the opening session. During the ceremony, the outgoing President of the Conference of the United States, Christine Cline, officially handed over the presidency to the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar to preside over this session.

In a video shown at the opening, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres urged the use of emerging technologies to fight corruption, organised crime, and other offences, noting that “corruption is not a victimless crime. It is a crime that fuels conflict, deepens inequality, and reduces the resources needed to protect humanity and the planet. Every dollar lost to this economic crime is a dollar stolen from those who want to fight for a better future”.

The President of the United Nations General Assembly, Annalena Baerbock, also emphasised that “preventing and eradicating corruption is a shared duty. We owe it to those who provide us with work”.

As a State Party to the United Nations Convention against Corruption, Timor-Leste is represented at this conference by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation. MP Virgínia Ana Belo and the Anti-Corruption Commission team represent the National Parliament.

The 11th session of the Conference continues until December 19^th, with plenary meetings, high-level dialogues, and side events aimed at strengthening international cooperation and collective action in the fight against corruption.

On December 16^th, 2025, the Heads of State and Government of the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP) decided to suspend the participation of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau in all activities of the organisation until constitutional order is restored and to appoint the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste to temporarily hold the pro tempore presidency of the CPLP. 

The decisions were made during the First Extraordinary Conference of Heads of State and Government of the CPLP, held via videoconference, convened to assess the political and institutional situation in Guinea-Bissau following the coup d’état on November 26^th, 2025.

In the Final Statement, Member States expressed deep concern about the interruption of the electoral process in Guinea-Bissau, condemned the violation of democratic principles, and urged the urgent restoration of constitutional order and national reconciliation.

In the same context, a resolution was approved to suspend Guinea-Bissau’s participation in CPLP activities entirely, under Article 7 of the organization’s Statutes, and to transfer the pro tempore presidency to Timor-Leste, with all the associated prerogatives.

The Conference was attended by Heads of State and Government, or their representatives, from Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Equatorial Guinea, Mozambique, Portugal, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Timor-Leste.

 

 

2 PM, Government Palace

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