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

Parish Church of Maliana, Diocese of Maliana

26 June 2025

 

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Vice Minister for Institutional Strengthening of Health

Secretary of State for Livestock farming

Secretary of State for Toponymy and Urban Organization Affairs

 IX Constitutional Government

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Joint Circular

Dili, June 27th, 2025

About rabies disease

At the moment, rabies has become a concern for all of us, because it threatens public health in our country. Therefore, once again, we would like to inform everyone in our country that this rabies disease has already killed 6 Timorese.

These people were from RAEOA (three people), Bobonaro (two people) and Ermera (one person). These people were bitten by dogs infected with the rabies virus, according to laboratory confirmation.

Therefore, in order to prevent and mitigate rabies, so that the disease does not spread to other municipalities that are currently still free, the Secretary of State for Livestock (SEPE), together with the Ministry of Health (MS), the Ministry of State Administration (MAE), through the Secretary of State for Toponymy and Urban Organization Affairs (SEATOU) are working with the Presidents of Municipal Authorities (PAM), with local authorities, community leaders and religious leaders, and with security institutions (Polícia Nacional de Timor-Leste (PNTL), Falintil – Forças da Defesa de Timor-Leste (F-FDTL)) to monitor and pay attention to this issue, in order to prevent and mitigate the rabies outbreak.

Therefore, on the basis of Article 3(d) and (e), Article 5(1)(a) and (c) and (2), Articles 7, 9 and 10 and Chapter IV (Penalties) (namely Article 9 on fines) of Decree-Law No. 12/2024, of 14 May, and based on Article 8 of Decree-Law No. 33/2008, of 27 August, First Amendment. No. 12/2024, of May 14, on the Restriction of Animal Movement in Urban Areas, and also based on Article 8 of Decree-Law No. 33/2008, of August 27, First Amendment to Decree-Law No. 03/2024, of January 17, on Hygiene and Public Order, it is decided as follows:

1. To ask people who keep dogs, cats and monkeys to keep them locked up and not to let them run loose in the community, especially in communities that live close to the border, such as the municipalities of Bobonaro, Covalima, Ermera and RAEOA, but also in Dili.

2. Prohibit the transportation of animals such as dogs, cats and monkeys from one municipality to another, including to and from the Ataúro Administrative Authority (AAA) and RAEOA by land, air and sea, and also from abroad to Timor-Leste. In cases where the Transit Post Guard or the Joint Team finds them, the animals will be seized and disposed of.
3. Ask people who keep dogs, cats and monkeys to cooperate with the vaccination teams to ensure that these animals are vaccinated, or to voluntarily take them to the vaccination posts set up by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Forestry or to private veterinary clinics in each municipality.
4. The Joint Team will dispose of unknown or unowned animals (dogs and cats).
5. If these rules are not complied with and someone is bitten by a dog, cat or monkey, the owners of these animals will be held responsible in accordance with the Decree Law mentioned above.

 

Dili, June 27th, 2025

José dos Reis Magno, Lic. SP

Vice Minister for Institutional Strengthening of Health

José Vieira de Araújo, Lic. CSH, Lic. Dir., MD, M. AP

Secretary of State for Livestock farming

Germano Santa Brites Dias

Secretary of State for Toponymy and Urban Organization Affairs

On July 1^st, 2025, Timor-Leste marked the second anniversary of the start of the IX Constitutional Government, led by Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, on a path marked by structural reforms and a commitment to sustainable, inclusive and people-centered development. 

Over the last two years, the Government has launched structural reforms in the justice sector, with measures designed to improve access, efficiency and citizens’ trust in judicial institutions. At the same time, it began to implement the reform of public finances, with the aim of ensuring greater transparency, budgetary sustainability and efficiency in the management of State resources.

Preparations are also underway for the reform of the Public Administration, with a focus on modernizing services, enhancing human resources and improving the quality of public services provision throughout the country. In this context, the Government has already implemented the One-Stop Shop in several municipalities and plans to expand it to all the country’s municipalities, to facilitate citizens’ access to essential administrative services in an integrated, efficient way that is close to the communities. 

In the oil and mineral resources sector, the Government has promoted the revision of the governance structure, and the adoption of policies aimed at ensuring more efficient and strategic management of natural resources, with a view to diversifying the economy and boosting national revenues.   Public investment has been geared towards structural areas, with the implementation of a road rehabilitation and construction plan, the normalization of streams, the improvement of water supply and sanitation and the expansion of the electricity grid, especially in rural areas.     In the agricultural sector, new irrigation systems have been rehabilitated and built, modern agricultural equipment has been distributed, and various initiatives have been promoted to boost national production and improve the living conditions of communities.

In the field of education, the Government has prioritized building a comprehensive higher education system, regulated by strict quality standards, in line with the National Qualifications System. The approval of the new Higher Education Framework Law (Law no. 6/2024, of July 17^th) marks a significant step forward in this process, to strengthen the quality of education, diversify the training offer in strategic areas and ensure a more effective link between academic training and the labor market.

In primary and secondary education, reforms were made to the process of integrating teachers into careers and to staff management policies, with the aim of ensuring a more equitable and efficient distribution of teachers to help improve the quality of teaching. The National School Meals Program was also strengthened, with the aim of promoting not only food security and school performance, but also the sustainable development of communities through the enhancement of local agriculture.

 In the area of child nutrition and health, the government has approved the National Multisectoral Nutrition Plan to Combat Dwarfism 2024-2030, with a focus on preventing chronic malnutrition among children through integrated actions in the health, education, agriculture, social protection and water and sanitation sectors. This plan is a strategic response to the high rates of dwarfism in the country, with a direct impact on human development and future productivity.

In the strategic infrastructure sector, we would highlight the progress of the fiber optic cable connection project and the launch of the rehabilitation project for the Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport, which are essential for improving the country’s connectivity, attracting investment and promoting economic growth.

In the economic and environmental sphere, the national blue economy policy, currently under public consultation, is being finalized, with the aim of promoting sustainable management of marine resources and stimulating job and income creation in sectors linked to the sea.

In macroeconomic terms, GDP is expected to grow by 2.7% in 2026, in the context of budgetary consolidation, after an estimated growth of 4.3% in 2025. The inflation rate continues a downward path, with a projection of 1.8% for 2025, and should stabilize at around 2% over the next five years.

Internationally, the government strengthened Timor-Leste’s diplomatic presence, consolidated relations with traditional and strategic partners and relaunched foreign policy with a focus on national interests, sovereignty and Timorese identity. Of note is the accession to the World Trade Organization and the progress made in preparing for full membership of ASEAN, scheduled for October 2025.

The Minister for the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and Government Spokesperson, Agio Pereira, stresses that “these two years represent a joint effort by the Government to lay the foundations for a more solid, fairer and more prosperous future for all Timorese. The reforms are underway, and the results are beginning to be visible. We will remain firm in our commitment to transform the country and serve the people with responsibility, competence and vision.”

The government reaffirms its determination to continue with the reforms it has begun, consolidate the progress made and deepen the dialogue with citizens, putting the public interest and collective well-being at the heart of its action.

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 July 2nd 2025

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Following his participation in the United Nations Security Council and the UN Peacebuilding Commission, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Bendito dos Santos Freitas, made an official visit to Brussels, Belgium, from June 22^nd to 26^th 2025, with the aim of strengthening Timor-Leste’s bilateral relations with the Kingdom of Belgium and deepening cooperation with the institutions of the European Union. 

The visit began with a visit to the Embassy of Timor-Leste in Brussels on June 23^rd, where the Minister was received by Ambassador Jorge Camões and the United Nations Country Director, Samuel Soares. During this meeting, topics related to the diplomatic mission and bilateral cooperation with Belgium and the European Union were discussed. Ambassador Jorge Camões’ mandate will end on July 17^th, and he will be replaced on an interim basis by the Third Secretary, Adriana Martins, as Chargé d’Affaires until a new head of mission is appointed. 

On June 24^th, Minister Bendito Freitas met with the Secretary General of the Belgian Federal Public Service for Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, Theodora Gentzis. The meeting reaffirmed the democratic values and principles shared between the two countries and identified new areas for cooperation, particularly in the fields of the blue and green economy. The Belgian official welcomed Timor-Leste’s rapprochement with ASEAN, whose full membership is scheduled for October this year and expressed Belgium’s support for the post-accession process to the World Trade Organization. The Timorese Minister congratulated Belgium on the recent ratification of the High Seas Treaty (BBNJ Agreement), emphasizing the convergence of priorities between the two countries. 

On the same day, Bendito dos Santos Freitas met with the European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jozef Síkela. The meeting took place at the European Commission’s headquarters and allowed for discussions on strengthening relations between Timor-Leste and the European Union, namely through the Samoa Agreement and partnerships within the PALOP-TL regional initiative. Commissioner Síkela assured that the restructuring of the EU representation in Dili would not affect the current level of cooperation. 

The Minister also held his first official meeting with the Regional Government of Flanders, represented by Sam Vandenabeele, Director of the External Relations Department. The meeting, held at the Embassy of Timor-Leste in Brussels, opened new prospects for cooperation in the areas of port management, technical training and professional exchange between the Port of Antwerp and the Port of Dili. Director Vandenabeele underlined the potential for collaboration through the Port of Antwerp Training Centre (APEC), which has been active for more than three decades in international training in the port sector. 

On June 25^th, the Minister met with the Secretary General of the European External Action Service (EEAS), Belén Martínez Carbonell. The meeting focused on consolidating the partnership between Timor-Leste and the European Union and preparing for membership of ASEAN and the World Trade Organization. Both sides emphasized the importance of sharing democratic values, respect for human rights and support for multilateralism. Belén Carbonell confirmed the appointment of Thorsten Bargfrede as the new Head of the EU Delegation in Dili and reported on the reduction of the delegation’s team, ensuring that this would not affect engagement and cooperation with Timor-Leste. 

On the same day, Minister Bendito Freitas visited the European Parliament, where he met with MEP Francisco Assis, from the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats parliamentary group, in his capacity as President of the Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the OEACP-EU Partnership (DACP). The MEP congratulated Timor-Leste on the ratification of the Samoa Agreement and on its election as Vice-President of the 80th United Nations General Assembly, emphasizing the country’s strategic role in the region. Both discussed the preparations for the visit of a DACP parliamentary delegation to Timor-Leste, scheduled for September, with meetings planned with representatives of the state, civil society, academia and the media. 

At the end of the official mission, on June 26^th, at Brussels International Airport, Minister Bendito dos Santos Freitas met informally with his Portuguese counterpart, Paulo Rangel, who was returning from the Netherlands after attending the NATO Summit. END 

The National Parliament approved, in a Plenary Session held on June 22, Draft Resolution No. 17/VI/2nd, referring to the ratification of the SAMOA Agreement, with 58 votes in favor, with no abstentions or votes against. 

The ratification proposal was submitted to the National Parliament by the Government, following the deliberation of the Council of Ministers, meeting on April 30, 2024, which approved the respective draft resolution proposal presented by the interim Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Francisco Guterres, current Minister of the Interior.

The SAMOA Agreement, signed on  November 15, 2023, on the island of Samoa, establishes the new legal framework for partnership between the European Union and the member countries of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), succeeding the Cotonou Agreement, which expired in 2020.

The SAMOA Agreement, which is valid for 20 years, defines the common principles governing relations between the European Union and the OACPS States, with emphasis on human rights, democracy and good governance; peace and security; human and social development; sustainable and inclusive economic growth; environmental sustainability and climate change; as well as migration and mobility.  The agreement is based on a common basis for all signatories, complemented by three specific regional protocols for Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific, adapted to the contexts and challenges of each region.

The SAMOA Agreement was signed during the Special Session of the OACPS Council of Ministers with the European Union, held in Samoa on November 14 and 15,  2023, in a meeting co-chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Timor-Leste, Bendito dos Santos Freitas. 

The OACPS is an intergovernmental organization comprising 79 countries from Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific, which maintains a historic partnership with the European Union in the areas of economic development, regional integration and political cooperation. Timor-Leste joined the OACPS in 2007. END.

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

Dili Convention Centre

29 June 2025

Presidency of the Council of Ministers

Spokesperson of the Government of Timor-Leste

Ninth Constitutional Government

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Press Release 

Extraordinary Meeting of the Council of Ministers on June 30th 2025

The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace in Dili and, after analyzing the presentation by Minister of Finance, Santina José Rodrigues F. Viegas Cardoso, decided to approve the Budget Strategy Statement and the indicative expenditure ceiling for the 2026 State Budget (OGE 2026). These instruments, provided for in the Framework Law for the General State Budget and Public Financial Management (Law no. 3/2025, of April 23^rd), guide medium-term fiscal policy, ensure coherence between national development objectives and available resources, and establish spending limits for the different sectors of Public Administration.

The Minister of Finance presented an economic growth forecast of 2.7 per cent of GDP for 2026, in a context of budgetary consolidation, after an estimated growth of 4.3 per cent in 2025. The inflation rate continues a downward path, expected to reach 1.8% in 2025 and to stabilize at around 2% over the next five years.

The overall indicative expenditure ceiling for the 2026 State Budget has been set at 1.85 billion US dollars. The distribution of the aggregate ceiling for the Central Administration Budget in the 2026 State Budget is based on the strategic sectors defined by the Government Program and the Strategic Development Plan, with 36% being allocated to the Institutional Framework Sector, 28% to the Social Capital Sector, 28% to Infrastructure Development, 7% to Economic Development and 1% to Good Governance and Combating Corruption.

The timetable for the budget process establishes the distribution of the disaggregated ceiling to the entities on July 4^th, the submission of ministerial proposals by July 24^th, the meetings of the Budget Review Committee between August 4^th and 20^th, and the delivery of the GSB 2026 proposal to the National Parliament by October 1^st, 2025. END 

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