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The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of State Administration have determined the temporary suspension of face-to-face teaching activities on October 15th, 16th, and 17th, 2026, throughout the national territory, as a preventive measure to protect the health of students, teachers, and other members of the educational community, given current air quality conditions.
The measure covers public, private, and cooperative establishments within the public education system, ranging from pre-school and primary and secondary schools (Years 1-9) through to general Senior Secondary School (Years 10–12) and Vocational Secondary Education.
The decision followed information from the National Directorate of Meteorology and Geophysics (DNMG – acronym in Portuguese) on deteriorating air quality linked to polluting particles from fires and burning in the region. In recent days, Dili recorded Air Quality Index (AQI) values between 165 and 174, which are considered harmful to health.
The DNMG has been monitoring the situation and has warned that concentrations of smoke and pollutants may rise again in the coming days, depending on atmospheric conditions and smoke transport from the region.
The suspension of face-to-face teaching activities also reflects the risks of exposure to these particles and the concern expressed by the President of the Republic, José Ramos-Horta, regarding the potential health effects of the current situation on children and young people.
Schools will use this Wednesday, October 14th, to prepare students for the three-day suspension of face-to-face activities. Heads of educational establishments must ensure that teachers set homework and provide guidance on monitoring home study during this period.
Between October 15th and 17th, alternative pedagogical support modalities may be adopted in accordance with guidelines from the competent services. Educational establishments must also draw up specific plans to recover teaching and learning activities.
The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of State Administration recommend that families keep children indoors unnecessarily during this period and avoid outdoor physical activities. When leaving home is necessary, the use of appropriate respiratory protection is recommended.
It is also recommended that doors and windows remain closed during periods of elevated smoke or pollutant particle concentrations, and that the burning of waste or other materials that could aggravate atmospheric pollution be avoided.
Heads of educational establishments must ensure that these guidelines are disseminated to students, teachers, staff, parents and guardians, and the wider educational community.
Schools outside the public education network and international schools are likewise recommended to take current air quality conditions and the protection of children’s health into account when defining their activities.
On October 10th, 2026, the Minister of Public Works, Samuel Marçal, accompanied by technical teams from the Ministry, conducted a follow-up visit to several road and bridge construction and rehabilitation projects in the municipality of Manufahi to assess progress, verify construction quality, and identify measures necessary to ensure compliance with deadlines and technical specifications.
The visit included, among others, the Alas–Dotik, Luak–Betano, and Betano–Fatuberliu road projects, as well as the construction of the Turon Bridge. The Minister also visited sites where interventions are planned to improve community connections, specifically through the construction of bridges in Serema and Laklo.
On the Alas–Dotik section, the Minister personally monitored progress to assess execution and working conditions, ensuring compliance with technical specifications and quality standards. The project spans 16.25 kilometres and represents an estimated investment of US$15.4 million.
On National Highway A14 between Luak and Betano, the Minister requested additional workers, technicians, and equipment to accelerate work, particularly for drainage and road protection structures ahead of the rainy season.
The rehabilitation of the Luak–Betano link is divided into two sections, measuring 5.1 and 4.05 kilometres, with investments of approximately US$4.98 million and US$4.83 million, respectively. During the visit, it was noted that physical execution of the second section stood at around 40%. Weather conditions have affected progress, and the contractor has requested an extension of the completion deadline—originally scheduled for September 2026—to March 2027.
Regarding the Betano–Fatuberliu link, the Minister ordered alignment corrections at certain points, the completion of drainage structures, and the reinforcement of human resources and equipment allocated to the project. The project, divided into three packages, represents a total investment of approximately US$11.8 million and, at the time of the visit, had achieved a physical execution rate of about 25%.
The Minister also inspected the construction of the Turon Bridge in the hamlet of Turon, Babulu village, Same Administrative Post, and called for the work to be accelerated to achieve tangible progress on the ground before the rainy season. Samuel Marçal warned that the Ministry of Public Works may enforce contractual measures, including contract termination, if the project fails to make significant progress.
During the same visit, Samuel Marçal visited Serema, where the Ministry of Public Works will conduct a technical survey to prepare for the construction of a future bridge. The infrastructure aims to improve mobility during the rainy season and to facilitate community access to healthcare, education, and markets. According to local authorities, the future bridge could benefit communities across three villages and eight hamlets.
In Laklo, within the Alas Administrative Post, the Ministry will likewise conduct a detailed technical study to assess the requirements for building a new bridge. The infrastructure is expected to improve connections between Dotik and Alas, Alas and Tutuluru, and Tutuluru and Turiscai, thereby facilitating population movement and the transport of agricultural produce.
The visit to Manufahi forms part of the Ministry of Public Works’ ongoing monitoring of infrastructure projects across the national territory, with particular attention to work quality, compliance with contractual obligations, and preparation of infrastructure for the rainy season.
Since early October, the Ministry has also recorded progress on several other road and bridge projects. In Ataúro, the rehabilitation of the first section between Vila Maumeta and Beloi, covering 4.5 kilometres, reached 87.71% completion, while the second package between Biqueli and Beloi stood at 77.44%. In Natarbora, Manatuto, the 110-metre Lamara Bridge reached 50% completion, while the Samalari Bridge in Baguia, Baucau, reached 33.66%.
Work also continues on the rehabilitation of the 18.5-kilometre road between Hatubuilico in Ainaro and Letefoho in Ermera, where asphalt paving is underway, with completion scheduled for December this year.
On October 13th, 2026, at the Government Palace in Dili, Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão received five fire engines from the Government of Japan for the Civil Protection Authority, intended to strengthen Timor-Leste’s firefighting and emergency response capacity.
The vehicles were handed over by the Ambassador of Japan to Timor-Leste, Yasushi Yamamoto, at a ceremony attended by the Secretary of State for Civil Protection, Domingos Mariano Reis, and representatives of the Civil Protection Authority.
The support, totalling US$333,987, was provided through Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) programme. Of the five vehicles delivered, four will be used in Dili and one in the municipality of Lautém.
The handover formalises the project to reuse fire engines in Dili and Lautém, agreed in February 2025 between the Government of Japan and the Civil Protection Authority. The project provides a range of vehicles to support firefighting and emergency response operations.
The support also includes five days of training for Timorese firefighters in operating, using, and maintaining the vehicles to ensure proper use and to strengthen the operational capacity of response teams.
During the ceremony, Ambassador Yasushi Yamamoto highlighted the cooperation developed between the two countries and expressed the expectation that the new equipment and training will contribute to strengthening Timor-Leste’s capacity in firefighting and emergency response, as well as to protecting lives and property.
The diplomat also emphasised the importance of regular vehicle maintenance to ensure their operational readiness and long-term use.
Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão expressed gratitude, on behalf of the Government and people of Timor-Leste, for the support provided by the Government and people of Japan and recalled the cooperation Japan has extended to the country across various development sectors since 1999.
Since 2000, the GGP programme has supported various projects with a direct impact on communities in Timor-Leste, including the construction and rehabilitation of schools and health facilities, water supply systems, and the provision of vehicles and equipment for public services.
According to the Embassy of Japan, 148 projects had been supported by this programme up to 2025, covering various national municipalities and the Special Administrative Region of Oe-Cússe Ambeno.
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On October 13th, 2026, in Dili, the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Filipus Nino Pereira, attended the opening of the National Workshop on the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA), which aims to strengthen Timor-Leste’s preparedness for integration into the regional digital economy.
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry organised the workshop, in collaboration with the International Trade Centre (ITC) and with support from the ASEAN Secretariat and the European Union, bringing together representatives from public institutions and the private sector to analyse the requirements and mechanisms for implementing the agreement.
The DEFA establishes a regional framework to promote an integrated digital economy across ASEAN by harmonising standards and procedures among Member States. The agreement covers areas such as e-commerce and electronic payments, digital identity, data protection and cross-border data flows, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies.
In his address, Minister Filipus Nino Pereira said, “Digital transformation is no longer merely a technological ambition but an economic imperative. For Timor-Leste, it offers an important opportunity to diversify the economy, strengthen business competitiveness, attract investment, and participate more meaningfully in regional and global value chains.”
The sessions enabled an analysis of the preparedness of national institutions and the coordination required across Government sectors, including customs, electronic payments, and the legal framework. The interoperability of digital platforms, data security and reliability, and the suitability of the regulatory framework also form key elements of the national preparation process.
Timor-Leste’s participation in the DEFA is expected to facilitate cross-border commercial transactions and electronic payments, strengthen regulatory cooperation, and create better conditions for domestic micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises to access the regional market. The regional framework also offers opportunities in the information and communications technology, digital services, and e-commerce sectors.
The workshop builds on Timor-Leste’s preparations to participate in ASEAN economic instruments. On September 30th, 2026, the Council of Ministers granted full powers to the Vice Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs and Minister of Tourism and Environment, Francisco Kalbuadi Lay, to sign the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement on behalf of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste.
The DEFA signing is scheduled to take place during the ASEAN Summit in November in the Philippines. The Minister of Commerce and Industry also indicated that the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Competition (AFAC) — for which he received full powers by decision of the Council of Ministers on September 30th — will be signed electronically.
The Minister of Youth, Sports, Art, and Culture, Nelyo Isaac Sarmento, and the Secretary of State for Art and Culture, Jorge Soares Cristóvão, attended the opening of the 4th National Forum of the Soru Na’in Tais Network on Tuesday, October 13th, 2026, at the Nicolau Lobato Presidential Palace in Dili. The forum focused on strengthening the preservation, capacity-building, and sustainability of Tais production in Timor-Leste.
The opening ceremony was presided over by the President of the Republic, José Ramos-Horta, and brought together around 250 participants, including women weavers from across the country, Government representatives, civil society organisations, and development partners, to discuss measures to preserve the traditional knowledge associated with Tais while strengthening its contribution to income generation and local economic development.
In his address, Minister Nelyo Isaac Sarmento emphasised the need to ensure the transmission of traditional weaving knowledge and techniques to younger generations and reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to the preservation and promotion of Tais.
The Government has been developing initiatives to preserve and promote Tais through the Secretariat of State for Art and Culture, in collaboration with organisations and networks of women weavers, including Timor Aid, the Alola Foundation, and the Soru Na’in Network. In April this year, the Secretariat of State for Art and Culture signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Timor Aid and the Alola Foundation to strengthen support for Soru Na’in Network associations across the country, promote the sustainability of Timorese handicrafts, and improve access to national and international markets for these products.
The Forum also offers an opportunity to enhance coordination among public institutions, partner organisations, and the weavers themselves on issues including production quality and sustainability, market access, the economic valuation of women weavers’ work, and the continuity of traditional knowledge.
At the start of the meeting, President José Ramos-Horta argued that preserving this heritage must be linked to improving the economic conditions of the women who produce it, emphasising the importance of fair remuneration and ensuring that the commercialisation of tais respects its cultural authenticity and directly benefits women artisans.
Tais plays a central role in the cultural identity and social life of Timorese communities, being used in traditional ceremonies, celebrations, and other significant moments of community life. The patterns, colours, and production techniques display distinctive characteristics across the country’s regions, reflecting the cultural diversity of Timor-Leste.
In December 2021, traditional Tais of Timor-Leste was inscribed by UNESCO on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. Among the challenges identified for its preservation are the declining number of women weavers, reduced interest among younger generations in learning traditional techniques, the loss of certain motifs and production methods, and limited market access.
In this context, the 4th National Forum of the Soru Na’in Tais Network aims to contribute to a joint response to these challenges by reconciling the safeguarding of cultural heritage with the empowerment of women weavers, the recognition of their work, and the development of sustainable economic opportunities for communities.
The Vice Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for Social Affairs, and Minister of Rural Development and Community Housing, Mariano Assanami Sabino, participated as keynote speaker at the opening of the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards–Timor-Leste (RYLA-TL) 2026 Conference, held at the Noble Palace in Lahane, where he urged young people to strengthen volunteering, promote dialogue, and contribute actively to national development.
In his address, Mariano Assanami Sabino highlighted RYLA-TL’s role in developing young people’s leadership skills and promoting values such as responsibility, honesty, mutual respect, and community service.
The Vice Prime Minister highlighted volunteering as a vital form of youth participation in society and encouraged participants to apply their knowledge and skills to serve their respective communities and the country.
Mariano Assanami Sabino also emphasised the importance of dialogue and respect for differing opinions. Recalling the lessons of Timor-Leste’s past, he argued that disagreements should be addressed through debate, cooperation, and the search for solutions, within a democratic framework.
In this context, he urged participants to listen to different perspectives, share knowledge, and maintain constructive relations with young people from various organisations and sectors of society, including those active in political parties.
The RYLA-TL Conference brings together young people from diverse backgrounds and experiences for training and exchange activities to develop leadership skills, build contact networks, and prepare social action initiatives in communities.
RYLA-TL has been conducting youth training activities in Timor-Leste since 2010 and, across successive editions, has combined leadership training with participation in volunteer and community service activities.
At the end of his address, the Vice Prime Minister encouraged participants to apply what they learned at the conference in their communities and to remain involved in volunteering, dialogue, and civic participation initiatives.
The Public Finance Committee (Committee C) of the National Parliament will hold the “2027 Budget Outlook” seminar tomorrow, October 14th, 2026, at the Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão Auditorium, Ministry of Finance, in Dili. The seminar forms part of the review process for the Draft Law on the 2027 General State Budget (GSB) and will feature participation by members of the Government, Members of Parliament, representatives of financial oversight and control bodies, financial institutions, civil society, development partners, and international organisations.
The seminar aims to promote analysis and debate on the State’s economic and financial situation and the outlook for 2027, bringing together contributions on key economic and budgetary trends, public finance challenges, and the preparation and execution of the GSB.
The opening session will begin at 9:15 a.m., with interventions from the Chair of Committee C, Cedelizia Faria dos Santos, and the President of the National Parliament, Maria Fernanda Lay.
Government participation will begin at 10:00 a.m. with an address by Francisco Kalbuadi Lay, the Vice Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, and Minister of Tourism and Environment. This will be followed by statements from Santina José Rodrigues Viegas Cardoso, the Minister of Finance, and Gastão Francisco de Sousa, the Minister of Planning and Strategic Investment, accompanied by representatives from the Infrastructure Fund Administration Council (CAFI – acronym in Portuguese) and the National Development Agency (ADN – acronym in Portuguese).
During the afternoon, participants will include the Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Francisco da Costa Monteiro, accompanied by representatives of the National Petroleum Authority (ANP – acronym in Portuguese), the National Minerals Authority (ANM – acronym in Portuguese), TIMOR GAP, and the Institute of Geosciences of Timor-Leste (IGTL – acronym in Portuguese), as well as the Minister of Social Solidarity and Inclusion, Verónica das Dores, accompanied by representatives of the National Institute of Social Security (INSS – acronym in Portuguese) and the Social Security Reserve Fund (FRSS – acronym in Portuguese).
The programme also includes interventions by the Governor of the Central Bank of Timor-Leste, Hélder Lopes; the President of the Court of Appeal, Afonso Carmona, accompanied by the Chamber of Accounts; the President of the Authority of the Special Administrative Region of Oe-Cússe Ambeno; and representatives from the World Bank and the organisation Lao Hamutuk.
Among the scheduled topics are the macroeconomic outlook for 2027, the evolution of public revenues, the structure and priorities of public expenditure, deficit financing and public debt, the sustainability of public finances, petroleum revenues and the Petroleum Fund, budget execution and the quality of public expenditure, and major fiscal risks for the 2027–2030 period.
The seminar will also address the financial execution and sustainability of the Social Security system, as well as investment management, financial risks, and the sustainability of the Social Security Reserve Fund. The programme includes question-and-answer sessions and participant discussions.
Committee C expects that the contributions presented at the seminar will support the review of the Draft Law on the 2027 GSB and help identify challenges and risks for consideration during the parliamentary appraisal process.
The seminar forms part of the timetable for considering the GSB law proposal for 2027, which the Government submitted to the National Parliament on October 1st. The law proposal was referred to the standing specialist committees and to Committee C on October 5th. Hearings before the standing specialist committees will take place between October 13th and 23rd, with the Committee C Report and Opinion due to be finalised on November 4th. This will be followed by consideration and a vote on the draft in plenary, both in general terms and in detail, and by the final overall vote.