10.30 am – Ministry of Finance

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 June 19th, 2026

The Council of Ministers met in the Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão Auditorium at the Ministry of Finance in Dili and opened the meeting with a presentation by the Minister of Transportation and Communications, Miguel Marques Gonçalves Manetelu, on the progress of the development and expansion of President Nicolau Lobato International Airport.

The project, developed in partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and the Government of Australia through the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP), involves modernising the runway, taxiways, aprons, control tower, passenger terminal, and various support facilities, with a revised total investment of approximately US$ 239 million.

An update was also provided on the progress of ongoing work, including the construction of the new taxiways, the apron, the coastal protection structures, and the technical facilities, as well as the main challenges in securing land and coordinating across the various components of the project. The overall schedule calls for the phased completion of the works by 2028, thereby enhancing the operational capacity and safety standards of the country’s main international airport.

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The Council of Ministers also reviewed a presentation by the Directorate-General of Lands and Properties on the status of the process for managing state-owned land and real estate, with a view to constructing embassies for certain ASEAN countries and to renovating the Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport. It was also reported that compensation for the land occupied and required for the construction of the embassies and the renovation of the international airport will be financed through the Infrastructure Fund.

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The Council of Ministers approved the draft Government Resolution titled National Action Plan for the Manufacturing Industry, presented by the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Filipus Nino Pereira.

The plan sets out a series of measures to promote the development of the manufacturing industry in Timor-Leste, with the aim of contributing to economic diversification, reducing dependence on oil and gas revenues, and strengthening the competitiveness of the private sector.

Among the priorities identified are the promotion and processing of domestic products with export potential—particularly agricultural, forestry, and fisheries products—the improvement of the business environment, the expansion of access to finance, and the attraction of private investment. To support the plan’s implementation, an inter-ministerial commission will be established to coordinate, monitor, and evaluate the measures.

This initiative aims to boost domestic production, create jobs, increase exports, and strengthen the integration of the Timorese economy with regional and international markets.

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The Council of Ministers decided to ratify the Agreement on Defence Cooperation between the Government of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste and the Government of New Zealand, signed on June 11^th, 2026 by the Minister of Defence, Donaciano Costa Gomes, and the New Zealand Minister of Defence, Chris Penk.

The agreement establishes a framework for bilateral defence cooperation, with a particular focus on developing the armed forces, specifically in education, training, and other sectors considered priorities for strengthening the institutional capacities of FALINTIL—the Timor-Leste Defence Forces (F-FDTL).

With this ratification, the ties of cooperation between Timor-Leste and New Zealand in the defence sector are strengthened, establishing the conditions for the development of joint initiatives between the institutions of the two countries and for the strengthening of national capabilities in this area.

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The Minister of State Administration, Tomás do Rosário Cabral, gave a presentation on the current status of preparations for transferring the remains of Catholic prelates who served in Timor-Leste from Portugal to the Dili Cathedral, and on the construction of the Monument to Dom Martinho da Costa Lopes in Mehara, Tutuala, in the municipality of Lautém.

The schedule for the transfer was presented; it will begin with a Mass in Portugal in July and culminate in the funeral and memorial ceremonies in Timor-Leste in September, organised in coordination between the Government and the Catholic Church. The ceremonies will include the transfer of the remains of Bishop Jaime Garcia Goulart, Bishop José Joaquim Ribeiro, Monsignor Martinho da Costa Lopes, and Bishop Alberto Ricardo da Silva, as well as the dedication of the Monument and Garden of Remembrance honouring the prelates at the Dili Cathedral.

An update was also provided on the progress of the ongoing construction work at the Dili Cathedral and in Mehara, which is intended to house the remains and preserve the memory and legacy of these prelates, prominent figures in the history of the Catholic Church and in Timorese national identity.

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Lastly, the Council of Ministers approved the draft Government Resolution, presented by Vice-Minister of Finance Regina de Jesus, regarding the extension and amendment of the Supplementary Agreement to the Partnership for Inclusive Prosperity (PROSIVU) Program, concluded between the Governments of Timor-Leste and Australia.

With this decision, the program’s extension through June 30th, 2030, is approved, in order to ensure the continuity of Australia’s technical and institutional support for the Government of Timor-Leste’s priority reforms in the areas of governance, public financial management, economic diversification, public administration reform, and institutional coordination. The approved amendments also update Australia’s financial contribution for the program’s second phase to an amount of up to 66 million Australian dollars and strengthen provisions related to the prevention of fraud and corruption, child protection, the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment, and environmental and social safeguards.

The Minister of Finance was also authorized to sign, on behalf of the Government of Timor-Leste, the documents necessary to formalize the amendments to the PROSIVU Supplementary Agreement. END

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On June 12^th, Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, accompanied by Minister of Public Works Samuel Marçal, inaugurated the new headquarters of the Timor-Leste Youth and Students Organisation (OJETIL) in Bidau Lecidere, Dili, and handed over the building’s keys to the organisation’s Secretary-General, José Manuel Fernandes “Nakfilak”.

The ceremony marked the official handover of the building, completed in 2018. It served as a tribute to the role of Timorese youth in the national liberation struggle and in the process of state-building and national development. 

During the ceremony, the Prime Minister emphasised the importance of youth organisations and argued that the new headquarters should serve as a space for dialogue and reflection on the country’s future.

“We may wear different colours, but we share a single goal: to develop Timor-Leste. We must stand united, and that is what keeps us from being divided,” said Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão.

The Head of Government also emphasised that the building should convey the values and experiences of the Timorese resistance to future generations.

“This space will be dedicated to future generations, with a strong commitment to our country,” he said.

The Prime Minister also added that the space is intended not only to hold meetings but also to promote ideas and initiatives that contribute to national development.

“The process of building the state and the nation is neither at a standstill nor will it happen on its own. It is for the Timorese to make it a reality,” he emphasised.

The Minister of Public Works, Samuel Marçal, noted that the delay in the building’s completion was not due to construction-related issues but to differences of opinion among members of the organisation, which have since been resolved.

“I believe that today we are handing over this headquarters to OJETIL so that it may serve as a common home for everyone, particularly our comrades in the resistance who have organised themselves within OJETIL,” he said.

OJETIL Secretary-General José Manuel Fernandes “Nakfilak” noted that differences of opinion ultimately became an opportunity to strengthen the organisation and to establish a common space for former members of the resistance and for new generations.

“This space is not just for holding meetings but also for presenting alternative solutions for our country’s development,” he said.

José Manuel Fernandes also recalled a piece of advice given by Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão to young people in the resistance, which continues to serve as a guiding principle for the organisation:

“Keep proclaiming that the struggle continues but focus on ways to develop this country and its people,” he reminded them.

OJETIL’s new headquarters is expected to incorporate citizenship education programmes and integrated agricultural development initiatives, as well as spaces to foster debate and present proposals for national development.

Several members of the 9th Constitutional Government attended the ceremony, including the Minister of Justice, Sérgio de Jesus Fernandes da Costa Hornai; the Minister of Defence, Rear Admiral Donaciano da Costa Gomes “Pedro Klamar Fuik”; and the Secretary of State for Media, Expedito Loro Dias Ximenes.

Former Prime Minister Rui Maria de Araújo, members of the National Parliament, veterans, and former combatants—including AlinLaek—were also present, as were members and representatives of OJETIL and other clandestine resistance organisations that participated in the resistance during the occupation.

OJETIL’s new headquarters aims to preserve the memory of Timorese youth’s participation in the struggle for independence and to serve as a space for education, debate, and civic engagement, supporting future generations and Timor-Leste’s development.

The Government, through the National Institute of Statistics of Timor-Leste (INETL, I.P. – acronym in Portuguese), under the Ministry of Finance, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and with support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), today launched the Key Indicators of the Timor-Leste Demographic and Health Survey 2025–2026 (TLDHS) at a ceremony in the Auditorium of the Ministry of Finance in Dili.

The report presents updated data on demographic and health indicators and serves as an evidence base for public policy-making, programme development, and the monitoring of national progress in areas related to health and development. 

The ceremony was chaired by the Minister of Finance, Santina J.R.F. Viegas Cardoso, and attended by the President of INETL, I.P., Elias dos Santos Ferreira; the Director of the Office of Policy, Planning, Cooperation, and Development at the Ministry of Health, Florindo Pinto; the UNFPA Representative in Timor-Leste, Navchaa Suren; and representatives of development partners.

The 2025–2026 Timor-Leste Demographic and Health Survey was conducted between September 29^th, 2025, and January 31^st, 2026, covering a national sample of 12,880 households. This is the fourth survey of its kind since the restoration of independence, following surveys in 2003, 2009–2010, and 2016.

In her speech, the Minister of Finance said she was “proud to participate in the launch of the report on key indicators from the 2025–2026 Timor-Leste Demographic and Health Survey.” “This survey is the fourth conducted since our independence, following the studies from 2003, 2009/2010, and 2016.”

The minister stressed that the new data enable assessment of progress and identification of the challenges facing the health sector. “With the new data for 2025–26, we can compare health programmes, their outcomes, and the challenges that remain,” she said.

Among the results presented, the most notable is the decline in the national fertility rate to 3.4 children per woman, down from 4.2 in 2016 and 5.7 in 2009–2010. The report also shows a significant increase in the proportion of births attended by skilled health personnel, rising from 33% in 2009–2010 to 60% in 2016 and to 78% in 2025–2026.

Elias dos Santos Ferreira, President of INETL, I.P., noted that the survey results provide up-to-date data on fertility, mortality, reproductive health, maternal and child health, nutrition, and family planning, and serve as a reference for health policy planning.

Despite progress, the data reveal persistent challenges, particularly in malnutrition. The prevalence of chronic child malnutrition decreased from 58% in 2009–2010 to 46% in 2016 but remains at 45% in the 2025–2026 survey.

The Minister of Finance emphasised that “with accurate data, we can plan effectively. With accurate data, we can track the progress we have made and use it as a barometer to assess the implementation of plans that have a direct impact on the well-being of the people of Timor-Leste.”

The minister added that “reliable data is the foundation of sound policy. Data not only strengthens our ability to target development programmes effectively but also ensures that the Government’s decisions are based on the best available evidence.”

The UNFPA Representative in Timor-Leste, Navchaa Suren, highlighted the Government of Timor-Leste’s role in conducting the survey and stated: “I would like to commend the leadership and commitment of the National Statistics Institute and the Ministry of Health to the successful implementation of this survey. I would also like to acknowledge the substantial financial support and oversight provided by the Ministry of Finance, which were critical to the timely completion of the survey, particularly in addressing funding gaps that arose during its implementation.”

Navchaa Suren also emphasised that the newly released results provide relevant information on maternal and child health, fertility, infant mortality, family planning, nutrition, and early childhood development, enabling identification of areas where progress has been made and those that require further effort.

The 2025–2026 Timor-Leste Demographic and Health Survey was conducted by INETL, I.P., in coordination with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Health, with technical assistance from ICF through the DHS Program. The government provided most of the funding for the survey, supplemented by contributions from UNFPA, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the World Food Programme (WFP), and the World Bank.

The report, now released, provides an initial overview of the survey’s findings. The final report, which will include more detailed thematic analyses, is scheduled for publication in September 2026, followed by efforts to disseminate the results at the municipal level to support nationwide planning and budgeting.

 

Nino Konis Santana National Park was officially designated Timor-Leste’s first Biosphere Reserve at the 38th session of UNESCO’s International Coordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere (ICC-MAB) Programme, held in Hernandarias, Paraguay, from June 3^rd to 6^th, 2026. The Timorese delegation was led by Fernandino Vieira da Costa, Secretary of State for Forests, representing the Government of Timor-Leste.

With this decision, the Nino Konis Santana Biosphere Reserve has joined the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves, marking a milestone in nature conservation and in the international recognition of Timor-Leste’s natural heritage.

In his speech to the members of the Man and the Biosphere Programme Council, the Secretary of State for Forests thanked UNESCO and its partners for their support throughout the application process and emphasised that this designation is “a testament to Timor-Leste’s firm commitment to the protection of biodiversity, the sustainable management of natural resources, and the promotion of development that harmonises nature with the lives of local communities.”

The Secretary of State also emphasised that “the active involvement of local communities in the management of natural resources is the cornerstone of long-term sustainability” and advocated integrating traditional knowledge and cultural heritage into modern conservation practices.

Located in the municipality of Lautém, the Nino Konis Santana Biosphere Reserve encompasses terrestrial, coastal, and marine ecosystems, including tropical forests, wetlands, coral reefs, and seagrass beds, within the Coral Triangle, one of the planet’s most biodiverse regions. The area also holds significant cultural heritage and reflects the historical relationship between local communities and the environment.

According to UNESCO, the classification is the result of cooperation between the Government of Timor-Leste, the National Commission of Timor-Leste for UNESCO, the Municipality of Lautém, and the UNESCO Regional Office in Jakarta, with support from the Government of Japan for baseline studies and technical analyses.

Maki Katsuno-Hayashikawa, Director of the UNESCO Regional Office in Jakarta and Representative to Timor-Leste, said that this designation “is a moment of pride for Timor-Leste” and recognises the efforts of national authorities, local communities, and partners to protect biodiversity, promote sustainable livelihoods, and preserve cultural heritage. 

During his visit to Paraguay, the Secretary of State for Forests also took part in technical, and exchange visits organised by UNESCO to the Itaipu Biosphere Reserve and the Tekotopa Environmental Centre, which were aimed at sharing experiences in biodiversity conservation, scientific research, environmental education, and sustainable development.

The inclusion of Nino Konis Santana National Park in the World Network of Biosphere Reserves creates new opportunities for international cooperation, scientific research, sustainable tourism, and climate change adaptation, reinforcing Timor-Leste’s commitment to preserving its natural heritage and ensuring sustainable development for future generations.

A public call for applications is now open for the awarding of scholarships in the justice sector for the pursuit of master’s and doctoral degrees in Legal Sciences at Portuguese higher education institutions, pursuant to Article 2(a) and Article 15 of Decree-Law No. 20/2024 of April 17, which establishes the special scholarship program for the justice sector.

Read the full details at the following link or under the “Announcements” tab: Recruitment (available in Portuguese only)

https://timor-leste.gov.tl/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/AN%C3%9ANCIO-P%C3%9ABLICO1.pdf

A public call for applications is now open for the awarding of scholarships in the justice sector for the pursuit of master’s and doctoral degrees in Legal Sciences at Portuguese higher education institutions, pursuant to Article 2(a) and Article 15 of Decree-Law No. 20/2024 of April 17, which establishes the special scholarship program for the justice sector.

See the attachment for the full information

https://timor-leste.gov.tl/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/AN%C3%9ANCIO-P%C3%9ABLICO1.pdf

Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão departed today, June 15^th, for an official visit to the Russian Federation, where he will participate in the 2026 ASEAN-Russia Summit, to be held in Kazan on June 17^th and 18^th, as part of celebrations marking the 35th anniversary of relations between the Association of Southeast Asia (ASEAN) and Russia.

The summit brings together the leaders of ASEAN member states, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn to discuss strengthening the strategic partnership between ASEAN and Russia and to explore new areas of mutually beneficial cooperation. 

During the meeting, the heads of state and government will address issues including regional and international security, trade and investment, energy, education, technology, public health, connectivity, infrastructure, and cultural exchange. The leaders will also discuss ways to deepen political, economic, and humanitarian cooperation between ASEAN and Russia.

On the sidelines of the summit, the ASEAN-Russia Business Forum will be held on June 17^th, bringing together business representatives to promote opportunities for trade, investment, and economic cooperation. The ASEAN Secretary-General will also attend this meeting, which is dedicated to strengthening economic and business relations between ASEAN and the Russian Federation.

The programme also includes sessions and roundtables focused on relations between ASEAN and the Eurasian Economic Union, with an emphasis on areas such as health, energy, industry, digital development, artificial intelligence, food security, logistics, and transport.

The ASEAN-Russia Summit serves as a platform for dialogue and cooperation between Southeast Asia and the Russian Federation, marking 35 years of relations between the two sides.