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Bangkok, Thailand, 12 May 2026 – Nino Pereira, Minister of Commerce and Industry of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, delivered a Special Statement during the Opening Plenary Session of the ADB–World Bank Trade Forum 2026, held at the Kempinski Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand.

The Forum, organized by the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank in collaboration with IMD Business School and the Paris School of Economics, was held under the theme: “Trade Policy in a Fragmented World: Accessions, Industrial Policy, and the New Multilateralism.”

In his remarks, the Minister emphasized that the current global trading environment continues to face significant challenges arising from policy uncertainty, industrial policy measures, and geopolitical tensions. He underlined the importance of cooperation, predictability, and a rules-based multilateral trading system.

The Minister also highlighted Timor-Leste’s historic accession to the World Trade Organization in 2024 and its admission as a full member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in 2025 as major milestones towards deeper regional and global economic integration.

Furthermore, the Minister reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to aligning national policies and legal frameworks with regional commitments, while promoting economic diversification, trade facilitation, regulatory coherence, institutional capacity-building, and inclusive economic growth.

In closing, Minister Nino Pereira reaffirmed Timor-Leste’s readiness to strengthen cooperation with international partners, including the ADB and the World Bank, in support of a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable regional and global trading system.

(This news is in the process of being edited)

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 May 13th, 2026

The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace in Dili and approved the draft Law Proposal presented by Finance Minister Santina José Rodrigues F. Viegas Cardoso for the first amendment to Law No. 8/2025 of November 27^th, regarding the General State Budget for 2026 (2026 GSB).

The proposal calls for an adjustment to the 2026 GSB to address the rise in international fuel prices linked to the conflict in the Middle East, the costs associated with Timor-Leste’s assumption of the Pro Tempore Presidency of the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP – acronym in Portuguese) following the approval of the 2026 GSB, and expenses related to the Oe-Cússe Special Administrative Region.

Under this amendment, the consolidated amount of the 2026 GSB increases by approximately US$101.1 million, reaching approximately US$2.39 billion. This increase does not result from any increase in transfers from the Petroleum Fund, but rather from the realignment of the government’s financing sources, using management balances, available balances in non-operating bank accounts, and increased domestic revenues.

The proposed amending budget also aims to mitigate the economic impact of rising international fuel prices, given the country’s heavy reliance on imports—particularly fuel and food—which directly affects transport costs and domestic inflation.

According to projections by the Ministry of Finance, average annual inflation in 2026 is expected to rise to 2.2%, up from 1.2% in 2025, despite international fuel price increases, without a significant worsening, due to the measures adopted by the Government to stabilise fuel prices.

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Following proposals presented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Bendito dos Santos Freitas, the Council of Ministers authorised the conclusion of financing agreements between the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste and the European Union for the initiatives “Creation and Development of Sustainable Businesses and the Circular Economy (CRESCE)” and “E-Governance for the Judicial System in Timor-Leste (e-JUS TL)”.

The CRESCE programme, funded with three million euros (approximately US$3.5 million), aims to support the creation and development of sustainable businesses and circular-economy initiatives in Timor-Leste, promoting economic diversification, job creation, and environmentally sustainable production and consumption models. The Council of Ministers has designated the Vice Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister of Economic Affairs to sign the agreement on the Government’s behalf.

The e-JUS TL initiative, funded with six million euros (approximately US$7 million), aims to strengthen e-governance within the national judicial system to improve access to justice, increase the efficiency and accessibility of judicial services, and bolster public confidence in judicial institutions through digital transformation and e-governance tools. Under this agreement, the Minister of Justice was designated as the Government’s representative for signing the financing instrument.

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Lastly, the Council of Ministers approved the draft Government Resolution on measures to strengthen public safety and prevent violence. This decision follows recent weeks’ incidents of violence across the country, involving groups of young people and causing serious consequences for citizens’ physical safety, private property, and the stability of affected communities. These incidents took on particular gravity on May 10^th in Mehara, Tutuala Administrative Post, Lautém Municipality, where a confrontation involving a group of young people may have resulted in the death of a citizen.

The Government unequivocally and vehemently condemns all acts of violence and property destruction that have resulted in the loss of human life, physical harm to citizens, or damage to private property, regardless of who committed them or their motives.

Among the measures approved, the Government reiterates the temporary suspension, throughout the country, of group activities involving the teaching, learning, and practice of martial and ritual arts, as well as the closure of venues used for such activities. This measure is exceptional, proportionate, and preventive, aimed at preventing the exploitation of these activities as a context for organising violent acts.

The Government Resolution also calls for the Timor-Leste National Police to step up patrols throughout the country, particularly in areas and at times when there are large gatherings of young people or a history of violence. It also calls for the cooperation of community leaders, specifically Village Chiefs and Hamlet Chiefs, in reporting situations covered by the suspension of activities related to martial arts and ritual arts. Municipal authorities, the Special Administrative Region of Oe-Cússe Ambeno, and the Administrative Authority of Ataúro must ensure the immediate communication of this information to the competent police authorities. The Resolution further mandates that police authorities continue and expedite ongoing investigations into incidents of violence that have already occurred, and that the perpetrators be held accountable in accordance with the law. END

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

Cebu, Philippines, 8 May 2026

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Vai decorrer entre os dias 17 e 20 de maio de 2026, um conjunto de cerimónias oficiais e atividades comemorativas alusivas ao 24.º Aniversário da Restauração da Independência da República Democrática de Timor-Leste, em Tasi-Tolu.

As celebrações decorrem sob o lema: “Juntos construiremos uma pátria cada vez mais justa, inclusiva e resiliente”.

PROGRAMA GERAL

17 de maio de 2026

Abertura da Feira de Culinária Local e Concerto Musical

Hora: A partir das 18h00
Local: Praça de Tasi-tolu, Díli

19 de maio de 2026

Missa de Ação de Graças

Hora: 09h00
Local: Sé Catedral de Díli

Deposição de Flores aos Heróis da Pátria

Hora: Após a Missa
Local: Cemitério de Santa Cruz, Díli

20 de maio de 2026

Cerimónia do Hastear da Bandeira Nacional

Hora: 08h00
Local: Praça de Tasi-tolu, Díli

Cerimónia do Arriar da Bandeira Nacional

Hora: 16h30
Local: Praça de Tasi-tolu, Díli

Encerramento da Feira de Culinária Local e Concerto Musical

Hora: 18h00
Local: Praça de Tasi-tolu, Díli

SEQUÊNCIA DA CERIMÓNIA DO HASTEAR DA BANDEIRA NACIONAL

20 de maio de 2026 | Praça de Tasi-tolu, Díli

Horário – Atividade

08h00 – Início da formatura das forças em parada

08h05 – Chegada dos convidados

08h20 – Chegada do Presidente do Tribunal de Recurso, Afonso Carmona

08h25 – Chegada do Primeiro-Ministro, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão

08h30 – Chegada da Presidente do Parlamento Nacional, Maria Fernanda Lay

08h40 – Chegada do Presidente da República, José Ramos-Horta

09h00 – Hastear da Bandeira Nacional

11h00 – Fim da cerimónia

11h15 – Cocktail na Praça de Tasi-tolu


SEQUÊNCIA DA CERIMÓNIA DO ARRIAR DA BANDEIRA NACIONAL

20 de maio de 2026 | Praça de Tasi-tolu, Díli

Horário – Atividade

16h20 – Início da formatura

16h30 – Chegada dos convidados

16h50 – Chegada da Presidente do Parlamento Nacional, Maria Fernanda Lay

17h00 – Arriar da Bandeira Nacional

17h15 – Fim da cerimónia

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The Government, through the Ministry of Finance and in collaboration with other relevant ministries, has launched a national public consultation to support the preparation of the 2027 General State Budget (2027 GSB) and to gather public input on development priorities and the delivery of public services.

The process officially began on Monday, May 4^th, 2026, with simultaneous consultations in the municipalities of Covalima, Ermera, and Lautém. Today, May 11^th, the consultations continue in the municipality of Liquiçá and will proceed in the remaining municipalities, including Ataúro and the Special Administrative Region of Oe-Cússe Ambeno (RAEOA).

The initiative aims to gather citizens’ opinions and perspectives on key development challenges, gaps in public service delivery, and priority areas for action, to ensure that public policies and budget decisions for 2027 reflect the actual needs of communities.

The public consultations will take place from May 4^th to 15^th, 2026. They will include representatives of local communities, civil society organisations, people with disabilities, young people, the private sector, veterans, and religious leaders.

The process combines focus group discussions and surveys to collect consistent, evidence-based data to inform government planning and priority-setting for the upcoming fiscal year.

According to the Ministry of Finance, this public consultation is not merely advisory but also has a practical, action-oriented dimension; the feedback received is expected to be analysed and incorporated into the planning and preparation for the 2027 GSB.

The Government is calling for active public participation nationwide, encouraging citizens to contribute to setting national priorities.

Agio Pereira, Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, met with Michael Purdon, Director of the Tony Blair Institute (TBI) in Timor-Leste, to discuss digital transformation, artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and institutional strengthening. 

During the meeting, the Tony Blair Institute presented international experiences of supporting governments in formulating public policies and implementing digital solutions, including in the fields of artificial intelligence and administrative modernisation.

Minister Agio Pereira emphasised the need to strengthen infrastructure, institutional capacity, and digital literacy to address the challenges associated with the country’s growing digitalisation. In this context, he noted that combating cybercrime is one of the Government’s priorities, adding that national legislation on this matter is in the final stages of preparation.

The Minister and the TBI representative also discussed the risks associated with disinformation, the protection of critical infrastructure, the security of government databases, and the need to strengthen national cyber incident response systems.

The meeting also addressed the importance of Timor-Leste’s digital readiness in the context of its accession to ASEAN, including the development of technical capabilities and the strengthening of digital connectivity in municipalities.

The meeting concluded with an emphasis on the need to continue investing in institutional capacity-building, digital inclusion, and national preparedness for the challenges posed by new technologies and artificial intelligence, given that digital transformation presents both opportunities and vulnerabilities.