available soon

available soon

The Minister of Education, Dulce de Jesus Soares, took part in the recording of the 18th episode of the Government Page TV show, held today, February 6^th, 2026, as part of a new series of interviews with members of the 9th Constitutional Government.

During the interview, the Minister outlined the main priorities, challenges, and strategic guidelines for national education policy, with an emphasis on strengthening access to education, improving learning quality, promoting inclusion and equal opportunities, and enhancing the population’s skills. 

In exercising her powers, the Minister of Education is responsible for the design, implementation, coordination, and evaluation of public policies in education and qualifications, from preschool to secondary education, including special forms of education, the promotion of lifelong learning, and the consolidation and enhancement of official languages. She is also responsible for ensuring the right to education, defining the national curriculum, guaranteeing the quality of the education system, and promoting the training and development of education professionals.

Promoted by the Office of the Government Spokesperson, led by the Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Agio Pereira, the “Government Page” TV show is produced in partnership with Radio and Television of Timor-Leste and the national media to strengthen government transparency, accountability, and citizens’ access to information on the Executive’s key decisions and policies.

Presented by Nélia Chaves and executive produced by Ika Moniz, the “Government Page” TV show is a forum for institutional dialogue focused on the public interest, ensuring the public has access to the Government’s key actions and decisions.

Today’s episode with the Minister of Education and yesterday’s episode with the Minister of Youth, Sports, Arts, and Culture will soon be broadcast on RTTL and the Government’s digital platforms and social media channels. All previously broadcast episodes are available on the YouTube channel @PCMPAGINADOGOVERNOTIMORLESTE.

 

available soon

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 February 4th 2026

The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace in Dili and approved the draft National Parliament Resolution Proposal presented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Bendito dos Santos Freitas, and the Vice Minister for ASEAN Affairs, Milena Maria da Costa Rangel. The proposal aims to approve Timor-Leste’s accession to the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Visa Exemption.

The ASEAN Visa Exemption Framework Agreement, signed in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on July 25, 2006, establishes a framework to facilitate travel within the region by exempting citizens of Member States from visa requirements for stays of up to 14 days. This measure aims to promote regional mobility, tourism, people-to-people exchanges, and the strengthening of relations among the region’s peoples. The Agreement also provides that each Member State may grant visa exemptions for periods longer than 14 days, in accordance with its national legislation and/or bilateral agreements, thereby ensuring flexibility in defining its migration policies.

****

The draft Law Proposal presented by the Minister of Justice, Sérgio de Jesus Fernandes da Costa Hornai, on the Civil Registry Code, was also approved.

This law aims to establish a detailed, dynamic, and secure civil registration system to ensure the registration and preservation of all legally relevant facts and acts that mark the course of people’s lives, from birth to death. While the Civil Code sets out the rights and duties of individuals in their family, property, and social relationships, the Civil Registry Code complements this regime by defining the rules and procedures for the official registration of these facts with the State. The law clarifies competences and deadlines, improves procedures, and promotes the modernisation of services, with the aim of strengthening legal certainty, facilitating citizens’ access to civil registration, and making processes simpler, more efficient, and faster.

****

The Council of Ministers also approved the draft Decree-Law, also presented by Minister Sérgio Hornai, for the first amendment to Decree-Law No. 19/2012, of April 25^th, which approves the Statute of the Judicial Officers.

This law aims to bring the Statute of Judicial Officers into line with the reforms currently underway in the justice sector, namely the new judicial organisation and the statutes of the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Public Defender’s Office, by clarifying competencies, strengthening the role of judicial officers in supporting magistrates and public defenders, and updating the respective staff framework.

The amendment also introduces more rigorous academic qualification requirements for entry into the profession, reinforces continuing education, improves the remuneration system, and updates certain rights and benefits, with the aim of enhancing efficiency, quality, and the public perception of the administration of justice in Timor-Leste.

****

The Council of Ministers also approved the draft Government Resolution, presented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Bendito dos Santos Freitas, and the Vice Minister for ASEAN Affairs, Milena Maria da Costa Rangel, establishing the National Council for the Organisation of the ASEAN Chairmanship of Timor-Leste in 2029.

The National Council is the central inter-ministerial coordination body responsible for strategic guidance, planning, monitoring, and supervision of preparatory work and the implementation of the ASEAN Chairmanship, ensuring effective coordination among the relevant government entities, ASEAN mechanisms, and national and international partners.

The resolution establishes a three-tier governance structure comprising the National Council, its Executive Committee, and the ASEAN National Secretariat as a permanent operational coordination mechanism. The Executive Committee, chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, as appointed by the Prime Minister, is responsible for the operational management and implementation of the National Council’s decisions.

To ensure effective strategic coordination, five Sector Coordinators are also planned, who report to the Executive Committee and assume responsibility for infrastructure and facilities, human resources and institutional capacity building, security and public order, diplomacy and communication, and finance and operations, under the leadership of the respective competent ministries.

****

The Council of Ministers approved the draft Decree-Law, presented by the Minister of Education, Dulce de Jesus Soares, to approve the Curriculum of the National Program for Secondary Education Equivalency.

This diploma establishes the curriculum framework for the programme, aimed at young people and adults who did not complete secondary education at the appropriate age, providing an alternative route to formal schooling with formal equivalence to this level of education. The curriculum adopts a flexible and inclusive approach, tailored to the specificities of youth and adult education, and defines the organisation of training areas, teaching methodologies, assessment systems, and certification conditions. This measure aims to strengthen access to lifelong learning, promote educational, social, and professional inclusion, and contribute to improving the qualifications of the population.

****

The Vice Minister for ASEAN Affairs, Milena Maria da Costa Rangel, also gave a presentation to the Council of Ministers on Timor-Leste’s participation in the ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meeting, held on January 27^th and 28^th, 2026, and the ASEAN Ministers of Foreign Affairs Meeting, which took place on January 29^th, 2026, in Cebu, Philippines.

The presentation focused on the key discussions and decisions adopted, as well as on subsequent measures relevant to Timor-Leste in the context of the process of full integration into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, including institutional and operational preparations, the national framework for the organisation’s rotating presidency, scheduled for 2029, and the status of implementation of the Roadmap for Full Membership.

  ***

Lastly, the Council of Ministers approved a US$5 million donation to the Portuguese Republic following the passage of Tropical Storm Kristin through Portuguese territory, which left a trail of destruction across several regions of the country, mainly in the central area.

Extreme weather events have caused fatalities, displacement, extensive damage to homes, public infrastructure, and community facilities, as well as disruptions to energy supplies, transport, and other essential services. This financial support is intended to support immediate response, recovery, and reconstruction efforts in the most affected areas. END

9.00 am, Government Palace

available soon

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Bendito dos Santos Freitas, participated in the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat (AMM Retreat), held on January 28^th and 29^th, 2026 in Cebu, and chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines, the country holding the ASEAN Chair in 2026. 

The meeting was the first high-level ministerial meeting under the ASEAN Political-Security Community pillar during the Philippine Chairmanship, under the theme “Navigating Towards Our Shared Future.” The ministers reviewed the organisation’s priorities and exchanged views on regional and international developments, with a focus on promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia.

During the Retreat, Ministers reiterated their commitment to ASEAN centrality, multilateralism, and respect for international law, including the peaceful settlement of disputes. Relevant regional issues were also addressed, namely the situation in Myanmar, maritime cooperation, and regional security, in line with the decisions of the 47th ASEAN Summit.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Minister Bendito dos Santos Freitas held bilateral meetings with Cambodia’s Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Prak Sokhonn, and with Vietnam’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lê Hoài Trung. The meetings reaffirmed the commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation and coordination within the ASEAN framework, including monitoring political and institutional cooperation mechanisms.

The Minister was accompanied by the Vice Minister for ASEAN Affairs, Milena Rangel, and the Director-General for ASEAN Affairs, Elisa da Silva.

 

 

 

Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão inaugurated, in Dili, the Dr Daniel John Murphy tuberculosis treatment building of the Bairro Pité Lanud Clinic Foundation (FCBPL – acronym in Portuguese) on Saturday, January 31^st, 2026. The building was financed through a public grant from the Civil Society Support Office (GASC – acronym in Portuguese), under the supervision of the Coordinating Ministry for Social Affairs. 

The new infrastructure aims to strengthen tuberculosis treatment services, improve patient care, and strengthen the national response to the disease.

At the ceremony, the Prime Minister highlighted the dedication of the late Dr Daniel John Murphy, who devoted decades to establishing and running the Bairro Pité Clinic, and the ongoing commitment of healthcare professionals who sacrifice themselves daily to care for their patients, even without pay.

The Prime Minister also expressed his appreciation for the work of the Bairro Pité Clinic in HIV/AIDS prevention campaigns and other public health areas.

The President of the Bairro Pité Clinic Foundation, Inácio dos Santos, said that the construction of the building was made possible thanks to the support of the Prime Minister, the Vice Prime Minister for Social Affairs, Mariano Assanami Sabino, and the GASC Coordinator, Joaquim Soares Freitas, through a US$146,700 grant, with an execution rate of 98.91%.

According to the Foundation, the new building is an important step in strengthening the health infrastructure of the Bairro Pité Lanud Clinic, improving tuberculosis treatment, and supporting national efforts to eliminate tuberculosis in Timor-Leste.

Tuberculosis remains a significant public health challenge in the country. According to the Global Tuberculosis Report 2024, Timor-Leste has one of the highest incidence rates in Southeast Asia. Despite progress in recent years, with reduced mortality and higher treatment success rates, the disease continues to have a high rate of community transmission.

The Bairro Pité Lanud Clinic Foundation, a partner of the Ministry of Health for around two decades, has played an important role in the detection and treatment of tuberculosis, treating more than 8,000 patients since 2010, in addition to providing care in other areas, such as HIV, oncology, maternal health, dental care, and outpatient consultations.

The Foundation’s Chairman reaffirmed his commitment to using the new building to strengthen primary care for tuberculosis treatment, increase case detection, and reduce unnecessary transfers to the Guido Valadares National Hospital.

The ceremony concluded with acknowledgements to the 9th Constitutional Government and all the entities that supported the project’s implementation, as well as a tribute to Dr Daniel John Murphy for his legacy in healthcare in Timor-Leste.

 

The Minister of Trade and Industry, Filipus Nino Pereira, participated in the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2026 and related meetings, held between January 28^th and 30^th, 2026 in Cebu, the Philippines, representing the Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism and Environment, Francisco Kalbuadi Lay. 

The ATF is the region’s main annual tourism meeting, bringing together ministers responsible for the sector, national tourism organisations, and representatives from the public and private sectors of the member states of Southeast Asia. The Forum includes a week of ministerial, technical, and working group meetings to promote regional cooperation, policy alignment, and sustainable development in the tourism sector.

On the sidelines of the Forum, the Minister of Trade and Industry held a working lunch with the ASEAN Deputy Secretary-General for the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), Satvinder Singh. The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss Timor-Leste’s integration into ASEAN economic and tourism cooperation, with a focus on tourism development, investment readiness, financing mechanisms, and human capital development.

The ASEAN Deputy Secretary-General welcomed Timor-Leste’s active involvement in regional tourism cooperation and highlighted the country’s preparations to host its first ASEAN tourism working group meeting in October 2026, marking an important milestone in Timor-Leste’s integration into the regional organisation.

The meeting also highlighted a positive outlook for Timor-Leste’s tourism sector, supported by improved air links, emerging cruise tourism opportunities, and the identification of priority areas for investment in tourism infrastructure and services.