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The Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Agio Pereira, met on September 24th, 2026, at the Government Palace in Dili with Australian Electoral Commissioner Jeff Pope—accompanied by Australia’s Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Caitlin Wilson—to discuss the organisation of elections and the new challenges associated with democratic processes, and to examine opportunities to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in this area.
The meeting took place during Jeff Pope’s visit to Timor-Leste from September 21st to 24th, during which the Australian Electoral Commissioner met with representatives of Timorese institutions to discuss election organisation.
During the meeting, the Australian Electoral Commissioner congratulated Timor-Leste on successfully holding successive elections and highlighted the high level of citizen participation. Jeff Pope stated that Timor-Leste should be proud of the results achieved and emphasised that the Timorese democratic experience serves as a positive example for other countries, particularly those emerging from conflict.
Minister Agio Pereira emphasised the importance of institutional preparedness and adopting appropriate responses to the challenges posed by rapid technological evolution.
Disinformation, social media, and artificial intelligence were among the key topics addressed. The parties analysed the challenges these technologies and platforms pose to democratic processes in various countries, including the rapid spread of false or manipulated information, the use of fake identities, and the creation—via artificial intelligence—of images, audio, and video that can be presented as authentic. They also analysed challenges related to social media monitoring, information verification, and the capacity of institutions to respond to disinformation in a timely manner.
In this context, the parties exchanged experiences on ways to strengthen civic and electoral education, as well as digital and media literacy, to help citizens critically evaluate information before accepting or sharing it. The role of independent media in providing credible information on electoral processes was also emphasised.
The Minister also addressed Timor-Leste’s preparations for the upcoming municipal elections, including institutional readiness, civic education, and citizen participation. In this context, the parties explored opportunities for cooperation and the exchange of experiences between the two countries.
Women’s political participation was another topic addressed, with reference to measures adopted by Timor-Leste to promote female representation and to the challenges posed by abuse, threats, and reputational attacks on digital platforms, which can discourage participation in public life.
Jeff Pope expressed a willingness to continue cooperation in areas of mutual interest, and both parties agreed to maintain dialogue and share experiences on electoral processes, civic education, and the challenges arising from the evolution of digital technologies.
Representatives from the Office of the Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and from the Australian Embassy also attended the meeting.
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The Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, attended the ceremony for the third edition of the Timor-Leste Women in Business Awards 2026, in Dili, on September 17th, 2026, where he congratulated the winners and finalists and highlighted the contribution of women entrepreneurs to the development of the private sector and the national economy.
The ceremony was attended by the President of the Republic, José Ramos-Horta; members of the Government and the National Parliament; and representatives of the diplomatic corps, the private sector, and other entities.
In his address, the Prime Minister recalled the role of Timorese women throughout the nation’s history and highlighted their participation in the current economic development process. “Our history shows us that the strength of Timorese women has always been part of the strength of Timor-Leste,” he stated.
The Head of Government advocated strengthening the private sector and national productive capacity to generate employment and reduce external dependence. “We need a stronger private sector. And we need Timorese companies that produce goods and services, create jobs, and reduce our dependence on imports,” he declared.
In this context, he noted that the Government has a responsibility to create conditions for business development, highlighting economic stability, investment in infrastructure, and Timor-Leste’s international economic integration. The Prime Minister recalled accession to the World Trade Organisation in 2024 and to ASEAN last year as instruments for expanding opportunities for trade, investment, and private-sector growth.
The Prime Minister also addressed the difficulties small businesses, particularly women-owned enterprises, face in accessing finance, framing the creation of the National Development Bank within this context.
“Access to finance is one of the main obstacles faced by small businesses in developing countries, with women-owned businesses often particularly affected,” he stated. He added that “the Bank will facilitate access to capital for Timorese entrepreneurs and small businesses, enabling them to invest, expand their activities, and employ more people.”
The Timor-Leste Women in Business Awards are organised by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group dedicated to the private sector, in partnership with the Association of Women Entrepreneurs of Timor-Leste (AEMTL). The initiative forms part of the Timor-Leste Financial Sector Capacity Building Programme, developed by the IFC and the Central Bank of Timor-Leste with support from the Governments of Australia and New Zealand.
In this third edition, the programme honoured ten individual and institutional winners across nine categories. Among the awarded entities were Timor Port, SA, and Moris Rasik Financial Service, SA. Also honoured were Carlota da Conceição Freitas, Angelica de Fatima dos Reis, Emerenciana Nipu, Augusta de Jesus Pereira Ximenes, Ilda da Cruz, Maria Agnes Bere, Bárbara Nazareth de Oliveira, and Constantina da Conceição Amaral.
The awards covered areas including corporate leadership, growth of women-led businesses, emerging entrepreneurship, cooperative leadership, career development, financial services, and initiatives promoting women’s economic empowerment.
Addressing the finalists, the Prime Minister said they “demonstrate the potential that already exists in Timor-Leste” and that their companies “reveal creativity, determination, and confidence in our country’s future.”
Concluding his address, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão addressed the women entrepreneurs: “I congratulate all of tonight’s finalists and encourage you to continue developing your businesses, bringing your ideas to fruition, and believing in what you are capable of achieving. Timor-Leste needs your creativity, your passion, and your vision for the future of our country. Strong women, strong nation.”
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The Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Agio Pereira, met on September 22nd, 2026, in Dili with the Ambassador of New Zealand to Timor-Leste, Helen Tunnah, to present the concept currently under development for the future International Force East Timor (INTERFET) Memorial and to gather contributions, ideas, and observations from New Zealand for the project.
Representatives of the Presidency of the Republic and the Presidency of the Council of Ministers attended, and the meeting formed part of the ongoing consultation process with representatives of the main countries that comprised INTERFET.
During the meeting, the overall concept and key components for the space were presented. The space will be developed in the area of the former INTERFET helipad, adjacent to the Nicolau Lobato Presidential Palace in Dili.
Minister Agio Pereira explained that “the goal is for this not to be a place of mourning, but a place of pride and remembrance”, through the creation of “a living space that preserves and tells the story of INTERFET, while also being educational and cultural, a point of interest for Timorese people and for those visiting Timor-Leste”.
“A space that commemorates the international contribution to restoring peace and security in Timor-Leste and conveys to future generations the values of solidarity, international cooperation, and peace associated with the mission,” he added.
Ambassador Helen Tunnah expressed New Zealand’s willingness to support the collection of artefacts and other elements related to the country’s participation in INTERFET, and to contribute to the development of the memorial concept through technical support.
The project envisions an integrated space of memory, education, and culture dedicated to the history of INTERFET and the international contribution to restoring peace and security in Timor-Leste. The concept also seeks to ensure that the memorial has an educational and historical dimension and serves as a site of interest for national and international visitors.
During the meeting, the proposed approach to developing the historical and exhibition content was also discussed. It should draw on contributions from INTERFET participating countries, veterans, and other relevant entities to ensure a comprehensive and accurate representation of the mission and its legacy.
The site designated for the project was officially marked on September 14th, 2024, during the commemorations of INTERFET’s 25th anniversary, with a blessing ceremony held at the former helipad used by the mission.
The Government will continue the consultation and project development process, in coordination with the Presidency of the Republic and with the countries and entities associated with INTERFET.