On May 12th, 2026, Minister of Trade and Industry Nino Pereira addressed the opening plenary session of the 2026 ADB-World Bank Trade Forum at the Kempinski Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand. 
The forum, organised 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 noted that the current global trade environment remains marked by political uncertainty, industrial policy measures, and geopolitical tensions. In this context, he emphasised the importance of cooperation, predictability, and a rules-based multilateral trading system.
Nino Pereira also highlighted Timor-Leste’s accession to the World Trade Organisation in 2024 and its admission as a full member of the Association of Southeast Asia in 2025 as key milestones in the country’s regional and global economic integration.
The Minister reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to aligning national policies and legal frameworks with regional commitments and to promoting economic diversification, trade facilitation, regulatory coherence, institutional capacity building, and inclusive economic growth.
In closing, Nino Pereira reiterated Timor-Leste’s willingness to strengthen cooperation with international partners, including the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank, to support a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable regional and global trading system.
url: https://timor-leste.gov.tl?lang=en&p=0
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 27th, 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 10th 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
url: https://timor-leste.gov.tl?lang=en&p=0A series of official ceremonies and commemorative activities marking the 24th anniversary of the Restoration of Independence of Timor-Leste will be held in Tasi-Tolu from May 17th to 20th, 2026.
The celebrations are being held under the theme: “Together we will build a country that is increasingly just, inclusive, and resilient.”
GENERAL PROGRAM
May 17th, 2026
Opening of the Local Food Fair and Concert
● Time: From 06.00 pm
● Venue: Tasi-tolu Square, Dili
May 19th, 2026
Thanksgiving Mass
● Time: 09.00 a.m.
● Venue: Cathedral of Dili
Laying of Flowers in Honour of the Nation’s Heroes
● Time: After Mass
● Venue: Santa Cruz Cemetery, Dili
May 20th, 2026
National Flag-Raising Ceremony
● Time: 08:00 a.m.
● Venue: Tasi-tolu Square, Dili
National Flag Lowering Ceremony
● Time: 04.30 p.m.
● Venue: Tasi-tolu Square, Dili
Closing Ceremony of the Local Food Fair and Concert
● Time: 6.00 p.m.
● Venue: Tasi-tolu Square, Dili
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PROGRAM FOR THE NATIONAL FLAG-RAISING CEREMONY
May 20th, 2026 | Tasi-Tolu Square, Dili
Schedule Activity / Protocol
08:00 a.m. The troops begin to form up for the parade
08:05 a.m. Arrival of the guests
08:20 a.m. Arrival of the President of the Court of Appeal, Afonso Carmona
08:25 a.m. Arrival of the Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão
08:30 a.m. Arrival of the President of the National Parliament, Maria Fernanda Lay
08:40 a.m. Arrival of the President of the Republic, José Ramos-Horta
09:00 a.m. Raising the National Flag
11:00 a.m. End of the ceremony
11:15 a.m. Cocktail in Tasi-tolu Square
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PROGRAM FOR THE NATIONAL FLAG-LOWERING CEREMONY
May 20th, 2026 | Tasi-tolu Square, Díli
Schedule
Activity / Protocol
04:20 p.m. The troops begin to form up for the parade
04:30 p.m. Arrival of the guests
04:50 p.m. Arrival of the President of the National Parliament, Maria Fernanda Lay
05:00 p.m. Lowering of the National Flag
05:15 p.m. End of the ceremony
url: https://timor-leste.gov.tl?lang=en&p=0
