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On October 8th, 2026, in Dili, the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Forestry, Marcos da Cruz, met the Ambassador of Vietnam to Timor-Leste, Pham Binh Dam, to discuss concrete areas of cooperation in the agricultural and fisheries sectors and to prepare for the first meeting of the Vietnam–Timor-Leste Joint Commission.
The meeting built on the understandings reached during Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão’s official visit to Vietnam in June this year, when the two countries agreed to promote cooperation in rice, agricultural products, and fisheries, among other sectors.
In the agricultural sector, the two sides identified opportunities for cooperation in rice and coffee production, covering varieties, cultivation techniques, equipment, and human resource training. The possibility of exploring cooperation models involving international organisations and development partners was also discussed.
In the fisheries and maritime economy sector, the two sides explored opportunities for cooperation in aquaculture, fishing, shipbuilding, fish processing, fisheries infrastructure development, and human resource training.
The meeting also addressed the use of digital technologies to monitor fishing activities and trace products, and cooperation to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.
Minister Marcos da Cruz expressed openness to Vietnamese companies participating in investment projects in Timor-Leste’s fisheries and processing sectors, with technology transfer and human resource training. The Minister proposed that interested companies maintain direct contact with the Ministry’s competent services to analyse the projects and their feasibility.
The two sides also discussed preparations for the first meeting of the Vietnam–Timor-Leste Joint Commission, which will be co-chaired by the Foreign Ministers of both countries. This mechanism falls under the understandings reached by the two Governments to monitor the implementation of bilateral agreements and to identify new areas of cooperation.
As part of these preparations, the finalisation of the draft Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the fisheries sector and the development of cooperation instruments for the agricultural sector are under review.
Timor-Leste and Vietnam will continue their technical and institutional contacts to define the priority areas, programmes, projects, and instruments for presentation within the framework of the Joint Commission.
On October 7th and 8th, 2026 in Manila, the Philippines, Timor-Leste’s Secretary of State for Electricity, Water and Sanitation, Santos Noronha, represented the country at the 44th ASEAN Energy Ministers’ Meeting (AMEM), where regional priorities for energy security, connectivity, resilience, and the energy transition were analysed.
The meeting took place under the Philippine ASEAN Chairmanship and the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation 2026–2030 (APAEC), which sets out the organisation’s sector priorities for the next five years.
In his address, the Secretary of State thanked the Member States’ Energy Ministers, the ASEAN Secretariat (ASEC), the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE), and sectoral bodies for their support for Timor-Leste’s integration into regional energy cooperation mechanisms.
In this context, Santos Noronha highlighted the recent integration of Electricity of Timor-Leste (EDTL, EP) into the Heads of ASEAN Power Utilities and Authorities (HAPUA), expressing Timor-Leste’s “sincere gratitude” to HAPUA, all ASEAN Member States, the ASEAN Secretariat (ASEC), the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE), and EDL Lao, in its capacity as HAPUA Chair, for their invaluable support and constructive guidance in facilitating the accession of Electricity of Timor-Leste (EDTL) to the HAPUA family at the 42nd HAPUA Council Meeting, held in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic in September 2026.
During the ministerial meeting, Timor-Leste also endorsed accession to regional energy cooperation instruments, namely the ASEAN Petroleum Safety Agreement (APSA), the Memorandum of Understanding on the ASEAN Power Grid (APG), and the Memorandum of Understanding on the Trans-ASEAN Gas Pipeline (TAGP).
The Secretary of State said Timor-Leste is committed to concluding the accession process to these instruments later this year, following the completion of the necessary internal procedures and the deposit of the instruments of accession.
Timor-Leste’s participation in the 44th AMEM follows its accession to ASEAN as the 11th Member State and marks its first participation in this ministerial meeting as a full member of the organisation.
The Timorese delegation also included the President of the National Petroleum Authority, Gualdino da Carmo; the Director-General for Electricity, Water and Sanitation, Maria Arlinda; and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of EDTL, EP, Marito Ferreira.
The Manila meetings also included meetings between ASEAN officials and external partners, international organisations, and specialised energy sector bodies, as well as the ASEAN Energy Business Forum 2026. Discussions covered, among other topics, the implementation of the ASEAN Power Grid, energy security, investment, renewable energy, and the strengthening of regional cooperation in the energy sector.
On October 2nd, 2026, in Lisbon, Vice-Minister of Social Solidarity and Inclusion Céu Brites met with Portugal’s Secretary of State for Social Action and Inclusion, Clara Marques Mendes, to discuss policies and programmes for people with disabilities.
During the meeting, the two officials discussed support for independent living, data systems for people with disabilities, and the human resources required to deliver that support.
Vice-Minister Céu Brites highlighted improving data systems and developing human resources as key priorities for strengthening policies and services for people with disabilities.
Secretary of State Clara Marques Mendes presented Portugal’s experience in supporting independent living for people with disabilities. In this context, the Vice-Minister shared Timor-Leste’s experience through programmes that support self-sustaining economic activities, aimed at contributing to the economic independence of people with disabilities.
Following the meeting with the Secretary of State, the Vice-Minister and the Timorese delegation attended a technical meeting with Portuguese officials responsible for the rights of people with disabilities, during which programmes developed in Portugal to protect these rights were presented.
Timor-Leste has in place the National Action Plan for People with Disabilities 2021–2030, approved by Government Resolution No. 7/2022 of March 1st, which sets out the national framework for action in this area.
On October 2nd and 3rd, 2026, in Bali, Indonesia, the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Forestry, Marcos da Cruz, participated in the Bali–Timor-Leste Business Forum 2026, which brought together government representatives, businesspeople, and investors from both countries to promote opportunities for trade, investment, and business cooperation.
Minister Marcos da Cruz represented the Vice Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Francisco Kalbuadi Lay, at the forum’s opening, held under the theme “Connecting Opportunities, Building Prosperity”. The event was part of the Bali International Business & Investment Forum 2026 and was attended by around 60 Timorese businesspeople.
The programme included sessions on cooperation opportunities across the blue economy, green economy, tourism, agriculture, fisheries, trade, investment, connectivity, education, innovation, and business development.
In his speech, Marcos da Cruz highlighted opportunities for economic cooperation between Timor-Leste and Indonesia and advocated strengthening relations between the two countries’ private sectors through investment, entrepreneurship, knowledge and technology transfer, innovation, and human resource development.
“A strong economic relationship depends not only on trade but also on investment, entrepreneurship, knowledge, technology, finance, and innovation,” he said.
The forum resulted in three cooperation agreements in the sectors of livestock, vessel acquisition and modernisation, and education, including cooperation in teaching, research, and community service.
As part of the programme, the Timorese delegation also conducted technical visits to companies and economic activities in Bali, including a business centre in Nusa Dua, hospitality sector operations, cattle-farming units, and vessel production and construction facilities. The visits enabled the delegation to learn about management models, technologies, and business experiences that could support future cooperation initiatives.
During the visit, Marcos da Cruz met with Bali Governor Wayan Koster to discuss cooperation opportunities in the tourism, agriculture, livestock, fisheries, and trade sectors. The two parties also discussed Bali’s experience in cattle breeding and management, including potential areas for collaboration.
The Minister also met with the Chairman of Indonesia’s National Economic Council, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, to discuss agriculture, education, human resource development, and technology. During the meeting, there was a willingness to share experience and technical expertise, including in the areas of technology transfer and human resource training.
The delegation from the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Forestry comprised the Director-General for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Acácio dos Santos, and the National Director for Irrigation, Jacinto Gama.
The Bali–Timor-Leste Business Forum 2026 also served as a platform for direct contact between Timorese and Indonesian businesspeople to identify partnership, investment, and trade opportunities between the two countries.
On October 4th and 5th, 2026, the Vice Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for Social Affairs, and Minister of Rural Development and Community Housing, Mariano Assanami Sabino, visited Brawijaya University in Malang, East Java, Indonesia, where two Memoranda of Understanding were signed to strengthen cooperation with Timor-Leste in higher education, science, research, and rural development.
Mariano Assanami Sabino, as Minister of Rural Development and Community Housing and Acting Minister of Higher Education, Science and Culture, and Universitas Brawijaya’s Rector, Professor Widodo, signed the agreements.
In higher education, the Memorandum of Understanding establishes a framework for cooperation in teaching, research, and community service, encompassing the Indonesian concept of Tri Dharma Perguruan Tinggi (The Three Pillars of Higher Education).
The cooperation creates opportunities for Timorese students and academics through scholarships, academic mobility, joint and dual-degree programmes, and joint research. The two parties also discussed postgraduate, master’s, and doctoral programmes, as well as knowledge transfer.
During the meeting, Mariano Assanami Sabino urged that the commitments set out in the Memorandum be translated into concrete programmes and activities and proposed establishing a joint technical team to prepare a schedule and work programme to guide implementation across the agreed areas of cooperation.
The signing builds on the ongoing dialogue between the Government and Universitas Brawijaya. Between April 23rd and 25th of this year, a university delegation travelled to Timor-Leste and met the Vice Prime Minister to explore opportunities for cooperation, including in agriculture, human resource development, and coffee value chain development.
As part of the training opportunities offered by the Indonesian institution, Brawijaya University received 42 applications from Timorese students for its scholarship programmes, 11 of which were selected.
The visit also included meetings with Timorese students at Brawijaya University and participation in the university’s academic activities. Mariano Assanami Sabino is an alumnus of this institution, where he began his agricultural studies in 1991.
The cooperation established during the visit also extends to rural and community development, through a Memorandum of Understanding between Brawijaya University and the Ministry of Rural Development and Community Housing, which aims to create a framework for developing joint initiatives in this area.
The two Memoranda strengthen the cooperation framework between Timor-Leste and Brawijaya University and lay the foundations for joint training programmes, research, knowledge exchange, and initiatives in rural and community development.
The network of 14 One-Stop Service Centres, established by the 9th Constitutional Government through the Ministry of State Administration across the national territory, handled 81,368 service requests between May 2024 and August 2026 as part of administrative simplification and modernisation, thereby bringing public services closer to the population.
Of the total services provided, 57,715 were for identity cards, 16,717 for criminal record certificates, 6,370 for passports, and 566 for birth certificates.
The One-Stop Service Centre is a local service centre that brings together access to various public information and services in a single location, intending to bring Public Administration closer to citizens, simplifying procedures, and reducing travel, costs, and waiting times.
The network’s implementation began with the inauguration of the Manatuto One-Stop Service Centre in May 2024. This was followed by Baucau, Liquiçá, Ataúro, Dili, Aileu, Manufahi, Covalima, Oe-Cússe, Bobonaro, Lautém, Ermera, Ainaro, and, most recently, Viqueque, inaugurated on July 30th, 2026.
Decree-Law No. 3/2025, of January 22nd, governs the implementation of One-Stop Service Centres and the Municipal Portal, while Ministerial Order No. 32/2025, of September 11th, establishes One-Stop Service Centres in the municipalities, the Special Administrative Region of Oe-Cússe, and Ataúro.
In addition to in-person service, the model provides access to services via a digital platform, telephone, and the Mobile One-Stop Service Centre. The latter enables service delivery to administrative posts and villages, with actions carried out in 2026 in, among other locations, Maquili and Ataúro; Maluro and Baucau; Dato and Liquiçá; and Fahinihan and Bubussuso in Manufahi.
The next phase of the process provides for the progressive integration of other public services into the One-Stop Service Centres. The National Institute of Social Security, the Anti-Corruption Commission, and the Office of the Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice are among the institutions identified for this expansion of services.
The integration of services across various Government departments is also planned, including the Ministries of the Interior, Finance, Education, Public Works, Commerce and Industry, Transport and Communications, and Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Forestry, among others.
The expansion of available services and service delivery mechanisms will build on the implementation of the One-Stop Service Centre as an instrument for administrative simplification and for providing public services closer to citizens.