English version soon available

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O Governo da República Democrática de Timor-Leste e a Conferência Episcopal Timorense promovem, em setembro de 2026, as cerimónias oficiais de homenagem a D. Jaime Garcia Goulart, D. José Joaquim Ribeiro, Monsenhor Martinho da Costa Lopes e D. Alberto Ricardo da Silva, em reconhecimento da sua dedicação pastoral e do contributo inestimável que prestaram ao povo timorense, cuja memória continuará a inspirar as gerações presentes e futuras.

Sob o lema “Retratos da Fé e Memória Eterna da Igreja e de Timor-Leste – CELEBRANDO A Herança e o Sacrifício dos Nossos Saudosos Prelados”, as cerimónias assinalam o regresso a Timor-Leste dos restos mortais de D. Jaime Garcia Goulart, D. José Joaquim Ribeiro e Monsenhor Martinho da Costa Lopes, que se juntam aos de D. Alberto Ricardo da Silva, e constituem um momento de homenagem e reconhecimento do legado espiritual, histórico e nacional destes quatro Prelados.

O programa oficial terá como momentos principais a cerimónia de receção dos restos mortais, no dia 1 de setembro, no Aeroporto Internacional Presidente Nicolau Lobato, seguida da procissão até Tasi Tolu; a homenagem a Monsenhor Martinho da Costa Lopes, no dia 3 de setembro, em Manatuto, que inclui a atribuição do seu nome à Ponte de Manatuto; e, no dia 10 de setembro, em Tasi Tolu e na Catedral de Díli, a Missa de Homenagem e as cerimónias de encerramento e sepultamento dos restos mortais dos quatro Prelados.

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Programa

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1 de setembro de 2026 – Chegada dos restos mortais dos Prelados a Timor-Leste
Aeroporto Internacional Presidente Nicolau Lobato – Díli

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13h30 – Chegada dos restos mortais dos Prelados ao Aeroporto Internacional Presidente Nicolau Lobato.

13h55 – A Comissão Organizadora do Governo e a Parada Militar aguardam o transporte dos restos mortais dos Prelados até ao recinto da cerimónia.

14h00 – Assinatura do termo de entrega dos restos mortais dos Prelados entre a Comissão Organizadora do Governo e a Conferência Episcopal Timorense.

14h05 – Breves palavras dos representantes da Comissão Organizadora do Governo e da Conferência Episcopal Timorense.

14h15 – Transporte dos restos mortais dos Prelados do Aeroporto Internacional Presidente Nicolau Lobato para a esplanada de Tasi Tolu.

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3 de setembro de 2026 – Homenagem a Monsenhor Martinho da Costa Lopes – Manatuto

09h00 – Chegada dos convidados ao local das cerimónias.

09h30 – Saída dos restos mortais de Monsenhor Martinho da Costa Lopes de Laleia com destino a Manatuto.

10h00 – Paragem na Ponte de Manatuto, durante a deslocação entre Laleia e a Igreja Paroquial de Manatuto.

10h10 – Entrega de lembrança do Povo de Manatuto ao Presidente da Conferência Episcopal Timorense.

10h15 – Leitura da Resolução do Governo.

10h20 – Discurso de Sua Excelência o Presidente da República.

10h50 – Descerramento da placa comemorativa que atribui à Ponte de Manatuto a designação de “Ponte Mons. Martinho da Costa Lopes”, seguindo-se a bênção da ponte pelo Arcebispo de Díli.

11h00 – Receção dos convidados no Salão “Ulfa Ikero”.

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10 de setembro de 2026 – Cerimónias de encerramento da trasladação dos restos mortais dos Prelados em Tasi Tolu

17h00 – Santa Missa presidida por Sua Eminência D. Virgílio Cardeal do Carmo da Silva, SDB, Arcebispo Metropolitano de Díli e Presidente da Conferência Episcopal Timorense.

Após a Santa Missa:
• Leitura do despacho por Sua Excelência Reverendíssima o Secretário-Geral da Conferência Episcopal Timorense;
• Intervenção de Sua Excelência Reverendíssima o Pró-Presidente da Conferência Episcopal Timorense;
• Intervenção de Sua Excelência o Presidente da República.
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Após a bênção final em Tasi-Tolu:
• Cerimónia de sepultamento dos restos mortais dos saudosos prelados, na Catedral de Díli;
• Visita ao Monumento e Jardim de Homenagem, no recinto da Catedral de Díli.

Presidency of the Council of Ministers

Spokesperson of the Government of Timor-Leste

Ninth Constitutional Government

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Press Release

Day off on September 1st (all day) and on September 10th, 2026 (afternoon), to mark the repatriation of the mortal remains of Catholic prelates who carried out pastoral duties in Timor-Leste

The English version will be available shortly; please see the Portuguese version through the following link

https://timor-leste.gov.tl/?p=51022&lang=pt

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 August 26^th, 2026

The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace in Dili and approved the draft government resolution to renew the term of the Steering Committee 25 (Comité Orientador 25) for another five-year period, following the expiry of its current term in January 2027.

The renewal of the mandate aims to ensure the continuity and completion of the research, analysis, and drafting of the book “History of the Youth and Student Resistance in Timor-Leste”, with Volumes I, III, and IV already completed.

The Government Resolution further stipulates that expenses and costs arising from the Committee’s activities are subject to the regulations governing the award of public grants and are covered by funds allocated in the Ministry of Education’s annual budget. Steering Committee 25 must also coordinate the implementation of its activities with the Ministry of National Liberation Veterans’ Affairs and the Chega! National Centre, IP.

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The Vice Minister for ASEAN Affairs, Milena Maria da Costa Rangel, presented the findings of the ASEAN Secretariat’s report on the implementation of the roadmap for Timor-Leste’s full membership of ASEAN to the Council of Ministers.

The report, covering progress between May 2025 and January 2026, highlights Timor-Leste’s strides in meeting the criteria set out in the Roadmap, including active participation in ASEAN meetings, the strengthening of inter-ministerial coordination mechanisms, the operation of Timor-Leste’s Permanent Mission to ASEAN, and the designation of national entities and focal points responsible for the various areas of cooperation. Between January and September 2025, Timor-Leste participated in 455 of the 504 meetings to which it was invited, corresponding to a participation rate of 90.3%.

Of the seven criteria set out in the Roadmap, five have been fully implemented, including those relating to institutional capacity, the Permanent Mission, national implementation and coordination mechanisms, visa exemptions and passport recognition, and the financial obligations arising from accession.

The process of acceding to ASEAN’s legal instruments is partially implemented, with requirements under the Political-Security and Socio-Cultural pillars already met and work continuing within the framework of the Economic Community. Preparations are also underway to develop the infrastructure and logistical capacity required for Timor-Leste’s future responsibilities within ASEAN and for the country’s presidency of the organisation in 2029.

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The Council of Ministers approved the draft Government Decree regulating the National Centre for Coordination, Assessment, and Combating Transnational Threats (CN-CAT), as provided for in the Integrated National Plan to Prevent and Combat Transnational Digital Financial Fraud Networks Supported by Online Scam Platforms (SCAM), Organised Cybercrime, and Human Trafficking, for the period 2026 to 2031.

The CN-CAT reports directly to the Prime Minister and is responsible for ensuring inter-institutional coordination, conducting integrated threat assessments, and supporting the Government’s strategic decision-making to prevent and combat transnational threats that could affect national security, digital sovereignty, economic stability, the integrity of the national financial system, or the State’s strategic interests. These threats include digital financial fraud, online scam platforms, organised cybercrime, illegal entry and stay of foreign nationals in the national territory, and human trafficking.

The Centre brings together representatives of the main agencies responsible for these areas and is coordinated by the Director-General of the National Strategic Intelligence Service, assisted by the Director of the Forensic Criminal Investigation Police. Its main functions include the ongoing assessment of threats, the preparation of strategic reports and alerts for the Prime Minister, the sharing of information among participating agencies, technical coordination and the planning of joint actions, and the monitoring of the implementation of the measures set out in the National Plan.

The activities of the CN-CAT do not alter the jurisdiction of its member entities, nor do they confer powers of criminal investigation or operational direction; furthermore, the Public Prosecutor’s Office retains control over criminal investigations.

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Following the presentation by the Secretary of State for Equality, Elvina de Sousa Carvalho, the Council of Ministers approved the draft Government Resolution adopting the official theme and slogan for the celebrations marking the 50th Anniversary of National Timorese Women’s Day. The approved theme is “Women of Timor-Leste: Celebrating 50 Years of Equality and Inclusion,” and the slogan is “We, the Women of Timor-Leste, will never give up; we will continue to fight for Equality and Inclusion.”

The celebrations aim to honour and recognise the historic contributions of Timorese women, reinforce commitment to gender equality and social inclusion, and promote women’s active participation in national development. The programme also aims to pay tribute to the many generations of women who, over the past 50 years, have contributed to Timor-Leste’s independence, peace, and development.

The programme includes an opening ceremony on November 3^rd, 2026, in the Municipality of Bobonaro, honouring National Heroine Maria Tapó. It will feature cultural and sporting activities, a Mass of Thanksgiving, and community dialogue. On November 6^th, the official national ceremony will take place at the Dili Convention Centre and will feature a seminar on the role of women in peacebuilding, equality, and development; exhibitions highlighting women’s contributions to the national resistance and state-building; and cultural and artistic activities. The municipalities will also hold commemorative activities.

The Secretariat of State for Equality is responsible for coordinating the celebrations and for establishing the organising committee, in collaboration with the relevant ministries, municipal authorities, civil society organisations, development partners, and other relevant entities.

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Following the proposal presented by the Minister of Public Works, Samuel Marçal, the Council of Ministers decided to ratify the authorisations for expenditure and the decision to initiate the procurement process, through a public tender, to purchase fuel for the Hera and Betano power plants.

The total estimated cost of the contract is US$428.99 million, divided into two lots: approximately US$316.31 million for the supply of about 372.5 million litres of fuel to the Hera Power Plant and approximately US$112.67 million for about 129.9 million litres of fuel to the Betano Power Plant.

The procedure aims to ensure the continuity of fuel supply from January 2027 onwards and, consequently, to guarantee the operation of the two power plants and electricity generation in the country after the current supply contracts expire in December 2026. The three-year contract also seeks to provide greater supply stability, facilitate the management of fuel reserves, and enable the negotiation of more favourable prices.

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Lastly, the Minister of State Administration, Tomás do Rosário Cabral, gave a presentation to the Council of Ministers on preparations for the ceremonies honouring and repatriating the mortal remains of D. Jaime Garcia Goulart, D. José Joaquim Ribeiro, Monsignor Martinho da Costa Lopes, and D. Alberto Ricardo da Silva.

The presentation outlined the programme of tributes, organised jointly by the Government and the Timorese Episcopal Conference, which includes the official reception of the remains in Dili on September 1^st, 2026, the ceremonies in Tasi Tolu, and the subsequent transfer to their final resting places. The initiative aims to honour the spiritual, historical, and national legacy of these prelates and to recognise their contribution to the people and history of Timor-Leste. END

9.00 am, Government Palace

As part of the celebrations marking the 27th anniversary of the Popular Consultation of August 30th, 1999, a series of activities will take place in Manatuto from August 28th to 30th, 2026, including clean-up initiatives, musical entertainment, a Mass of Thanksgiving, and several lectures. The series of lectures, scheduled for August 29th, will feature the President of the Republic, José Ramos-Horta, alongside addresses by the Minister of State Administration, Tomás do Rosário Cabral; the Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Agio Pereira; the Director-General for Decentralisation and Local Government, António Guterres; and the Executive Director of the Chega! National Centre, Hugo Fernandes.

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PROGRAMME

FRIDAY, AUGUST 28th, 2026

07:00 | General Clean-up

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SATURDAY, AUGUST 29th, 2026

PART I — MASS OF THANKSGIVING

08:00 | Mass of Thanksgiving (St Anthony of Manatuto Parish Church)

09:30 | Coffee break


PART II — NATIONAL REFLECTION (IN THE “ULFA IKERO” HALL)

10:00 | Welcome Remarks
His Excellency the Minister of State Administration, Mr Tomás do Rosário Cabral

10:10 | Opening Address
His Excellency the President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, Dr José Ramos-Horta

Musical Performance — “Oras To’o Ona” (Lahane Group)

10:35 | Lecture — “27 Years: Building Development from the Ashes”
Speaker: His Excellency the Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Mr Agio Pereira

Musical Performance — “Kore-Metan”

11:10 | Lecture — “Constitutional Mandate: The Role of Municipalities in Local Government”
Speaker: Director-General for Decentralisation and Local Government, Mr António Guterres

Musical Performance — “Kore-Metan”

11:45 | Lecture — “The Contribution of History and Memory to Shaping the Future”
Speaker: Executive Director of the Chega! National Centre, Mr Hugo Fernandes

Musical Performance — “Loron Aban Hahú Ohin” (Lahane Group)

12:20 | Closing Ceremony

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 30th, 2026

15:00 | Healthy Walk — Participants will gather at the Manatuto Bridge and proceed, accompanied by a marching band, to the ceremony site in Obrato.

16:00 | Social Gathering and Presentation of Prizes to winners via door prizes.

20:00 | Closing Ceremony

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

Dili Convention Centre
24 August 2026

On August 24^th, 2026, Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão attended the opening of the Science for Development Summit 2026 at the Dili Convention Centre, an event promoted by the Presidency of the Republic and supported by the Government. The Summit brings together Nobel laureates, Turing Award winners, scientists, researchers, academics, and other international experts to discuss how science, technology, and innovation contribute to development. 

In his opening remarks, the Prime Minister framed development as Timor-Leste’s current challenge, following the struggle for sovereignty, peacebuilding, establishing democratic institutions, and building the state’s foundations.

“Our people did not fight for independence just to have our own flag, a national anthem, and a seat at the United Nations. Independence must also enable us to improve our people’s lives,” stated Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão. The Prime Minister also emphasised the need for “better healthcare and education, greater food security, and more productive agriculture” as well as “an economy capable of providing jobs and opportunities for our youth.”

The Head of Government stated that Timor-Leste is pursuing its development amid a period of rapid global technological transformation, marked by advances in artificial intelligence, biotechnology, advanced computing, medicine, and other scientific fields.

“Countries that understand these changes and learn to take advantage of them will have new opportunities. Those that fail to do so risk falling even further behind. Timor-Leste cannot afford to be left behind. That is why science is so vital to our development,” he declared.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the potential of science and new technologies to help Timor-Leste address the shortage of specialised skills and technical knowledge. He stressed, however, that “nothing can replace investment in our people,” and advocated strengthening scientific and technical education and the capacity of national universities.

Regarding artificial intelligence, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão mentioned applications that could facilitate healthcare professionals’ access to medical knowledge, support access to information in mother tongues, provide scientific data to farmers, and offer new tools to young entrepreneurs.

At the same time, the Head of Government warned of the risks associated with the evolution of these technologies, particularly regarding fraud, disinformation, public trust in institutions, and state sovereignty.

“We should approach these possibilities with enthusiasm, but we also need to understand the risks. The same technology that makes knowledge more accessible can also make deception easier and cheaper,” he said. He added that “we need to understand what this could mean for our democracy and for the trust people place in public institutions.”

In this context, the Prime Minister argued that the Government must have the expertise to evaluate the technologies it adopts, so it can harness their benefits while protecting the country from new risks. “As we embrace scientific progress, we must remember that technology is a tool meant to improve human life, not to diminish what makes us human. We must continue to leave room for the poetry of life,” he said.

Addressing the international experts at the Summit, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão called for knowledge sharing and engagement with Timorese students and researchers to foster joint reflection on national development challenges and ambitions.

“We cannot afford to remain on the sidelines of this new scientific era, but neither should we enter it blindly. This is the next stage in our struggle to shape our own future,” concluded the Prime Minister before officially opening the Science for Development Summit 2026.

The Science for Development Summit 2026, an initiative of the President of the Republic, José Ramos-Horta, will take place on August 24^th and 25^th at the Dili Convention Centre. It will feature panels and sessions on science and development, economic transformation, food security, health and human development, digital security, artificial intelligence, and science education. The event will run alongside the Sci-Tech Expo 2026 and other sessions organised by universities, public institutions, and partner organisations.

 

Timor-Leste hosted a series of meetings of the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP) in Dili between August 13^th and 19^th, 2026, culminating in the 31st Ordinary Meeting of the Council of Ministers, opened by the Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, and chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Bendito dos Santos Freitas. The meetings took place within the framework of Timor-Leste’s Pro Tempore Presidency of the CPLP, under the theme “The Consolidation of the Democratic Rule of Law and the Challenges of the CPLP”.

The ministerial meeting, held on August 19^th, brought together the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and External Relations, or their representatives, from Angola, Brazil, Cabo Verde, Equatorial Guinea, Mozambique, Portugal, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Timor-Leste, as well as the Executive Secretary of the CPLP, Maria de Fátima Jardim.

At the opening of the proceedings, the Prime Minister called on Member States to renew their commitment to the founding principles of the Community and to strengthen the CPLP’s capacity to translate political decisions into concrete results for citizens.

“We must celebrate what unites us and the achievements we have accomplished. But we must also have the courage to look at the weaknesses that still persist,” stated Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, marking the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the CPLP.

The Head of Government advocated a more action-oriented Community, capable of deepening economic and trade integration, making better use of financial and human resources, and strengthening the credibility and stability of its institutions.

In his remarks, the Prime Minister also highlighted the need to deepen cooperation in areas such as food security, social protection, climate change, ocean protection, resilience in the face of crises and international instability, and cybersecurity.

Regarding Guinea-Bissau, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão reaffirmed “deep solidarity with the people of Guinea-Bissau and the firm commitment of Timor-Leste and the CPLP as a whole to supporting efforts towards dialogue, institutional stability, and the restoration of the Democratic Rule of Law”.

The Council of Ministers approved a Resolution on the situation in Guinea-Bissau and adopted the Declaration “The Consolidation of the Democratic Rule of Law and the Challenges of the CPLP”, in which Member States reaffirmed their commitment to constitutional order, free, fair, and transparent elections, human rights, the independence and impartiality of the organs of the State, multilateralism, and a people-centred digital transition, with respect for personal data protection, privacy, and the security of public infrastructure.

In the year in which the organisation marks three decades since its establishment, the Declaration on the 30th Anniversary of the CPLP was also approved, under the motto “CPLP 30 Years: Unity in Diversity, A Community for the Peoples”. The document recalls the presence of a delegation from the Timorese Resistance at the founding act of the CPLP in 1996 and Timor-Leste’s formal accession in 2002, while reaffirming the Community’s commitments to democracy, the Rule of Law, human rights, mobility, the Portuguese language, economic cooperation, and greater proximity to citizens.

On the eve of the ministerial meeting, the President of the Republic, José Ramos-Horta, hosted a gala dinner at the Lahane Noble Palace for members of the Council of Ministers and other delegations to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the CPLP. The Prime Minister and members of the Government also attended.

On that occasion, the President of the Republic highlighted the Community’s journey over the past three decades and reaffirmed Timor-Leste’s commitment to the Rule of Law, democracy, human rights, peace, and social justice. He also argued that Timor-Leste’s integration into ASEAN represents an opportunity to strengthen ties between the CPLP and Southeast Asia.

Among the main decisions adopted in Dili was the preparation of the CPLP Strategic Vision 2027–2033, a process to be conducted during Timor-Leste’s Pro Tempore Presidency in coordination with the remaining Member States and the Executive Secretariat.

The new strategic framework will succeed the Strategic Vision 2016–2026 and is intended to strengthen the Community’s proximity to citizens, multisectoral cooperation, sustainable development, mobility, youth participation, economic cooperation, the promotion of the Portuguese language, and the organisation’s international standing.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Bendito dos Santos Freitas, stated that “Timor-Leste desires a CPLP that is closer to citizens, more effective in executing its decisions, and better able to measure the benefits of its cooperation”.

“We also want a CPLP that is more present in the world: more visible internationally and more unified in major multilateral forums,” he added.

The Minister further highlighted Timor-Leste’s accession to ASEAN and preparations to assume the presidency of the regional organisation in 2029 as opportunities to build new bridges between the CPLP, Southeast Asia, and the Indo-Pacific region.

The Council of Ministers congratulated Timor-Leste on its admission as the 11th full Member State of ASEAN and encouraged the CPLP Presidency and the Executive Secretariat to explore concrete opportunities for dialogue and cooperation between the two organisations.

One of the main outcomes with a direct impact on citizens was the adoption and signing of the Administrative Agreement for the Application of the CPLP Multilateral Social Security Convention, an instrument designed to operationalise coordination between national social security systems and guarantee the portability of social rights for citizens working or residing in different countries of the Community.

On behalf of Timor-Leste, the instrument was signed by the Minister of Social Solidarity and Inclusion, Verónica das Dores. The Agreement will allow contribution periods completed in different covered States to be preserved and facilitate the recognition of rights acquired by workers and their families.

Bendito dos Santos Freitas stated that the Agreement grants mobility “rights, protection, and dignity”, ensuring that “honest work, contribution periods, and social rights are not lost when crossing a border”.

The Multilateral Social Security Convention was signed in Dili on July 24th, 2015, and entered into force on January 1^st, 2026, following the deposit of the necessary instruments of ratification.

The Council of Ministers also approved resolutions on mobility within the CPLP, the operationalisation of the CPLP Youth Decade 2026–2036, strengthening responses to climate disasters, the creation of a Network of National Committees for the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science, the Frátria Programme – Common Core Degree in Public Health, the strengthening of the National Archives Network, the creation of the CPLP Network on Food, Nutrition, and School Health, and the drafting of the Strategic Agenda for the Consolidation of Economic Cooperation in the CPLP for 2028–2032.

Consultative Observer Status of the CPLP was also granted to the International Association of Luso-Asian Communities (APCA), established in Dili in 2025, strengthening the representation of Luso-Asian communities in the organisation’s institutional mechanisms.

In the area of cooperation, the 52nd Meeting of Cooperation Focal Points approved additional funding through the CPLP Special Fund of approximately €116,000 to support holding the 9th CPLP Environmental Education Congress in Oe-Cússe. The Government of Timor-Leste, through the Ministry of Tourism and Environment, had already provided approximately €400,000 for this initiative.

The 31st Ordinary Meeting paid tribute to the memory of former President of the Republic Francisco Guterres “Lu Olo”, recognising his contribution to the struggle for national liberation, the building of democratic institutions, and the promotion of the Portuguese language in Timor-Leste.

The tribute also honoured the late Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Culture, José Honório da Costa Pereira Jerónimo, Father João de Vasconcelos Baptista Felgueiras, and Portuguese musician Luís Represas, among other figures from Member States who contributed to the Community’s values and objectives.

On the sidelines of the CPLP meetings, the Prime Minister met with Portugal’s Minister of State and Foreign Affairs, Paulo Rangel, to discuss bilateral cooperation and CPLP matters.

Paulo Rangel thanked Timor-Leste for its support for Portugal’s candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2027–2028 term and stated: “The way Timor-Leste supported us and conveyed our message in many countries across the region—and we are talking about dozens of countries—was very important in achieving the result we did.”

The Prime Minister welcomed Portugal’s election, stating that its presence on the Security Council “is a source of pride for all of us” and that “it will not be a presence solely on behalf of Portugal”, as it will also serve to project the voice and shared values of the Community.

Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão also received the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Communities, and National Defence of Cabo Verde, Manuel Augusto Lima Amante da Rosa, who delivered an invitation from the Cape Verdean Prime Minister for Xanana Gusmão to pay an official visit to Cabo Verde. The meeting also addressed the deepening of bilateral cooperation in education, training, tourism, hospitality, digital transition, and justice.

Minister Bendito dos Santos Freitas also held bilateral meetings with representatives from Cabo Verde and Angola. With Angola, both parties welcomed the proposal to establish a Joint Bilateral Commission to identify priority areas and transform political commitments into concrete cooperation initiatives.

The ministerial meetings were preceded, from August 13^th, by the II Capacity-Building Seminar for Timor-Leste’s Sectoral Focal Points, the 52nd Meeting of Cooperation Focal Points, the Ministerial Working Groups, the Working Group for the Permanent Consultative Committee, and the 294th Ordinary Meeting of the Permanent Consultative Committee.

At the closing of the 31st Ordinary Meeting, Member States expressed their appreciation to the Government and people of Timor-Leste for organising and hosting the proceedings, acknowledging the Timorese Presidency’s contribution to strengthening political and diplomatic coordination, cooperation, and the CPLP’s international standing.

Solemn Address By His Excellency the Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão
Noble Hall of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Dili,19 August 2026

The 26th episode of the Government Page TV Show will be broadcast this Friday at 19:00 on Rádio e Televisão de Timor-Leste (RTTL) and on official Government media platforms. The guest for this edition is the Secretary of State for Livestock, José Vieira de Araújo, who will discuss public policies, priorities, and the challenges facing Timor-Leste’s livestock sector.

During the interview, the Government’s key initiatives to strengthen the livestock sector will be presented, including boosting livestock production, improving animal health and sanitation, promoting food security, and highlighting the contribution of livestock farming to the economic and social development of rural communities.

The discussion will also highlight measures to support producers, to prevent and control animal diseases, to strengthen the livestock industry, to develop cooperative production and marketing systems, and to expand national milk production and its potential contribution to child nutrition by integrating locally produced milk into school meal programmes.

The Government Page TV Show is an initiative of the Office of the Government Spokesperson, led by the Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Agio Pereira, in partnership with RTTL and national media outlets. The programme aims to strengthen government transparency and ensure citizens’ access to key actions and decisions of the Executive. The programme features Nélia Chaves as presenter and Ika Moniz as executive producer. Technical support is provided by the media teams of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, the Office of the Prime Minister, and the office of the interviewed member of the Government.

The Government invites the public to follow this episode of the Government Page TV Show on Friday, August 21^st, 2026, at 19:00, on RTTL and across social media platforms.