……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Press Release
Meeting of the Council of Ministers on October 28th, 2026
The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace in Dili and approved the draft Decree-Law, presented by the Vice Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister of Economic Affairs, Francisco Kalbuadi Lay, and the Governor of the Central Bank of Timor-Leste (BCTL), Hélder Lopes, concerning the Legal Framework for the Use of Electronic Payment Instruments in the Conduct of Economic Activities.
The Decree-Law imposes an obligation on economic operators to provide electronic payment instruments and to accept electronic payments, with a view to promoting the efficiency, security, transparency and traceability of transactions, as well as the development and use of the national payment system.
The scheme covers operators of economic activities throughout the country, payment service providers authorised by the BCTL, the public administration and other public bodies, whilst providing for exceptions for street traders and for activities carried out in remote areas where the technical, technological or infrastructural conditions necessary for the use of these instruments do not exist. The operators covered by the scheme have a period of six months to comply with the new obligations, with the legislation coming into force on the first day of the month following its publication.
****
The Council of Ministers has approved the draft Government Resolution, presented by the Minister for Finance, Santina José Rodrigues F. Viegas Cardoso, which approves the paid-in capital of the National Development Bank of Timor-Leste, SA (BNDTL – acronym in Portuguese) and authorises the related expenditure.
The Resolution approves the BNDTL’s paid-in capital, fully subscribed by the State, in the amount of US$30 million, and authorises expenditure up to December 31st, 2026, using funds allocated in this year’s General State Budget.
Paid-in capital is a prerequisite for the BNDTL’s application for authorisation from the Central Bank of Timor-Leste. The Bank’s mission is to promote the country’s sustainable and inclusive economic development by providing appropriate financing solutions for domestic companies and projects, whilst complementing the commercial banking and existing financial systems.
****
The Council of Ministers has decided to approve the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea on the establishment of a bilateral consultation mechanism.
The Memorandum establishes a mechanism for regular bilateral consultations to strengthen relations and cooperation between the two countries, facilitate the exchange of views on bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest, and assess progress in cooperation in areas that may include trade, the economy, health, education, science and technology, and agriculture.
Consultations will take place at the senior official level of the respective Ministries of Foreign Affairs, once every two years, or whenever the parties deem it necessary, alternating between Timor-Leste and the Republic of Korea.
****
The Council of Ministers approved the draft Decree-Law, presented by the Minister for Public Works, Samuel Marçal, on the Special Procurement Regime for the Construction of Infrastructure Aimed at Improving Accessibility and the Regeneration of the City of Dili, as part of preparations for events related to Timor-Leste’s ASEAN Chairmanship.
The Decree-Law establishes a special procurement regime to streamline procedures for implementing priority projects to improve accessibility and regenerate the city of Dili, with a view to ensuring their timely completion in time for the events relating to Timor-Leste’s ASEAN Chairmanship, which is scheduled to begin in 2029.
The regime covers nine sections of roads and streets in the city of Dili, including works on roads, pedestrian routes and public spaces, the replacement of overhead public electricity systems with underground systems, and the installation or pre-installation of public sanitation, water supply, and telecommunications infrastructure.
For the implementation of these projects, the legislation permits competitive tendering or direct award procedures, regardless of contract value, without derogating from the principles and other rules applicable to public procurement and the execution of public expenditure.
The Ministry of Public Works and the public corporations under its authority are responsible for implementing the projects, whilst the National Procurement Commission, I.P., is responsible for conducting the procurement procedures. The National Development Agency, I.P., retains its powers of technical and financial verification, as well as any other powers provided for in the applicable legislation.
The aim of this measure is to ensure the timely implementation of the works required to prepare the city of Dili for the events associated with the ASEAN Chairmanship, whilst also helping to improve road and pedestrian traffic flow, the urban environment and the public infrastructure affected by the works.
****
The Council of Ministers approved the draft Government Resolution, presented by the Minister for State Administration, Tomás do Rosário Cabral, for the first amendment to Government Resolution No. 19/2026 of April 1st, which sets the maximum expenditure to be incurred in connection with the process of transferring the remains of Catholic prelates who carried out pastoral duties in Timor-Leste.
The approved amendment increases the maximum amount allocated to cover the costs of transferring the remains of Portugal’s prelates to Dili Cathedral, as well as the associated funeral and memorial services, from US$600,000 to US$854,990.
This increase, amounting to US$254,990, is intended to cover the additional costs approved during the course of the process by the Interministerial Committee responsible for organising the ceremonies, namely those relating to the government’s institutional representation at the ceremonies held at Évora Cathedral in Portugal, the construction of the Mehara monument, and the ceremonies held in Bali, Indonesia. END
available soon
On October 27th, 2026, Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão attended the National Commemoration Ceremony for Education Month and World Teachers’ Day, held at the Ian Martin Hall of the National Institute for the Training of Teachers and Education Professionals (INFORDEPE – acronym in Portuguese) in Dili. This year’s celebration also coincided with the 60th anniversary of the adoption of the UNESCO and International Labour Organisation (ILO) Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers.
The ceremony was attended by the Minister of Education, Dulce de Jesus Soares; the Secretary of State for General Secondary Education and Technical-Vocational Secondary Education, Domingos Lopes Lemos; and representatives from educational and teacher-training institutions, development partners, educators, and students.
In his address, the Prime Minister stated that “education is the foundation for everything we wish to build for our future” and highlighted the role of teachers in shaping new generations. “Teachers are agents of transformation, present day after day in the lives of our children and young people. They therefore play an irreplaceable role in shaping new generations and in building the nation.”
Xanana Gusmão recalled that the education sector had to rebuild “the educational system, infrastructure, curricula and teaching materials, teacher training, and the very management and culture of schools,” and asserted that “without quality education, independence fails to fulfil its promise. And without qualified and valued teachers, development cannot take root, nor can it translate into concrete improvements in the lives of our people.”
The Head of Government reaffirmed commitments to “strengthen initial and ongoing teacher training,” “progressively improve working conditions for educators, especially in rural and remote areas,” and “invest in school infrastructure that is more dignified and functional.” He also highlighted the promotion of inclusive education, the responsible use of new technologies to support learning, and the strengthening of management, evaluation, and monitoring across the education system.
Regarding the valuation of the teaching profession, the Prime Minister stated that “it is not enough to ‘recognise’ and ‘thank’ you for your dedication to society just once a year. The best way to express gratitude is to value your profession in a concrete, consistent, and meaningful manner.” He added that “recognition alone is not enough; it is necessary to ensure greater respect for your rights and more support in the fulfilment of your duties.”
In light of social, technological, economic, and cultural transformations, the Head of Government noted that “artificial intelligence, digital technologies, and learning platforms—all of these bring enormous opportunities, but also significant challenges.” He argued that “technology should serve the purpose of learning and human development, but it can never, under any circumstances, replace the essential role of the teacher in guiding, educating, and supporting students.”
The celebration took place under the overarching theme “Valuing, Protecting, and Strengthening the Status of the Teaching Profession in a Rapidly Changing World,” with the specific theme “The Teacher as an Agent of Transformation: Role, Competencies, and Responsibilities in Building the Timorese State.” The initiative also marked the 60th anniversary of the 1966 Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers — adopted by UNESCO and the ILO — which established international benchmarks for teachers’ rights and responsibilities, as well as for their training, recruitment, employment, and teaching and working conditions.
The Minister of Education, Dulce de Jesus Soares, stated that “this theme highlights the vital need to protect teachers’ rights, improve working conditions, address the shortage of educators, and confront current challenges, including digital transformation and climate change.”
Regarding the adaptation of the education system to technological change, the Minister added that “teachers are the heart of this national transformation. Through modern and creative methodologies, they prepare our young people to compete on a global scale.”
For his part, the Secretary of State for General Secondary Education and Technical-Vocational Secondary Education, Domingos Lopes Lemos, highlighted the responsibility of teachers in the development of children and young people, stating that “a teacher is an agent of transformation. When we look at a stone that has yet to take shape, someone with the necessary knowledge is required to transform it into something of value. The same applies to a newborn child, who is like a blank slate. It is the teacher’s role to provide guidance, offer instruction, and help children develop their knowledge, abilities, and character.”
Addressing teachers directly, the Prime Minister urged them “not to give up on our children and young people — even when conditions are less than ideal and resources are lacking.” He added that “a teacher can change a life. By changing one life, they can change a family, a community, and even an entire country.”
In his closing remarks, Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão expressed his gratitude to “all the teachers in our country,” acknowledged their role “in building the State and the Nation,” and reaffirmed “the Government’s commitment to working hard to improve the quality of education.”
“Valuing, Protecting and Strengthening the Status of the Teaching Profession in a Rapidly Changing World”
“Teachers as Agents of Transformation: Their Role, Skills and Responsibilities in Building the Timorese State”
Speech by H. E. the Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão
Dili, Timor-Leste
27 October 2026
“Combating Online Scams: Protecting Citizens and International Legal Cooperation in the Face of a New Form of Transnational Crime”
Speech by H. E. the Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão
Dili, Timor-Leste
27 October 2026
available soon
On October 27th, 2026, TIMOR GAP, Timor Gás & Petróleo, EP, signed a Purchase and Sale Agreement with Woodside Energy Ltd. to acquire the Australian company’s entire stake in the Greater Sunrise fields in the Timor Sea. After the transaction closes and the necessary approvals are received, the national oil company will hold a 100 per cent stake in the project.
The agreement covers Woodside’s interest in the NT/RL2 and NT/RL4 retention licences and in the JPDA 03-19 and JPDA 03-20 Production Sharing Agreements. Completion of the transaction is subject to the required government and regulatory approvals and to the conditions precedent set out in the agreement.
The transaction provides Woodside’s stake in Greater Sunrise for total consideration of US$200 million, with payments linked to different stages of the project. The first payment, amounting to US$13.71 million, will be made upon completion of the transaction. A second payment of US$11.29 million will be due within 30 days of the Final Investment Decision. The remaining US$175 million will be paid within 365 days of the start of loading of the first shipment of liquefied natural gas intended for sale to a customer.
The agreement now reached follows the September announcement of a binding agreement between TIMOR GAP and Osaka Gas Australia Pty Ltd. for the acquisition of the latter’s 10 per cent stake in Greater Sunrise. Prior to these transactions, the project’s ownership structure was TIMOR GAP (56.56 per cent), Woodside Energy (33.44 per cent), and Osaka Gas Australia (10 per cent).
The consolidation of its stake in Greater Sunrise strengthens TIMOR GAP’s position in developing the Sunrise and Troubadour fields and in continuing work on the Timor LNG project, which involves transporting gas for processing on the southern coast of Timor-Leste.
The Chairman and Chief Executive of TIMOR GAP, Rui Soares, said, “We are now in a stronger position than ever to accelerate the development of Greater Sunrise and move forward with the selection of the Timor LNG development concept, bringing us closer to realising our country’s long-standing aspiration to develop Greater Sunrise off the southern coast of Timor-Leste.”
Rui Soares also emphasised that “the Greater Sunrise project represents much more than the development of natural gas resources”, as it offers an opportunity to promote industrial and energy development on the south coast, skills training, job creation, and the development of local businesses and economic activity.
The operation is taking place at a time when the technical, legal, and regulatory work required for the development of Greater Sunrise is progressing. In September, Timor-Leste and Australia reached a technical agreement on three key instruments of the project’s future regulatory framework: the Petroleum Mining Code, the Production Sharing Agreement, and the Fiscal Regime, which are now undergoing their respective approval processes.
At the same time, the Government has continued technical work on the development option in Timor-Leste. In September, the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources signed contracts for geotechnical investigations and other surveys along the planned routes of the Greater Sunrise and Bayu-Undan gas pipelines to Natarbora, to support the finalisation of the routes and future infrastructure development.
The Sunrise and Troubadour fields, collectively known as Greater Sunrise, lie approximately 150 kilometres south-east of Timor-Leste and 450 kilometres north-west of Darwin in Australia’s Northern Territory.
The completion of the acquisition of Woodside’s stake remains subject to the necessary government and regulatory approvals and to the other conditions set out in the Sale and Purchase Agreement.
On October 26th, 2026, in Jakarta, the Vice-Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for Social Affairs, and Minister of Rural Development and Community Housing, Mariano Assanami Sabino, met with Indonesia’s Vice-Minister of Housing and Residential Areas, Fahri Hamzah, to examine opportunities for cooperation and to promote the exchange of experience in housing and social infrastructure.
During the meeting, both leaders addressed policies developed by their respective countries and explored ways to deepen cooperation in this field.
Vice-Prime Minister Mariano Assanami Sabino highlighted the link between housing policies, poverty reduction, social justice, and meeting the population’s basic needs. He also advocated an integrated approach to housing development that ensures access to sanitation and creates a healthy, suitable residential environment.
Vice-Minister Fahri Hamzah presented Indonesia’s experience in implementing housing policies, including the Three Million Homes Programme, and discussed the alignment of land availability, spatial planning, long-term financing, and the construction of basic infrastructure required for residential area development.
Both sides expressed interest in continuing the exchange of experiences and in exploring more concrete forms of cooperation. Among the possibilities discussed was holding an international seminar on housing policies and social development as a platform for sharing expertise and identifying areas for collaboration.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Press Release
October 26th, 2026
Government of Timor-Leste Congratulates Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on His Re-election as President of Brazil
The Government of Timor-Leste congratulates Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on his re-election as President of the Federative Republic of Brazil, following the second round of the presidential election held on October 25th, 2026.
The Timorese Government also congratulates the Brazilian people on their participation in the electoral process and extends its best wishes for success to the re-elected President for his new mandate.
Timor-Leste and Brazil maintain historical relations of friendship and cooperation, rooted in the cultural and linguistic ties that unite both nations and in shared values of democracy, peace, and respect for international law.
The Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and Government Spokesperson, Agio Pereira, stated that “the re-election of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva represents an opportunity to deepen the strong ties between Timor-Leste and Brazil and to reinforce the defence of multilateralism and an international order based on dialogue, cooperation, and mutual respect among states.” END
available soon