The Vice-Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Rural Development and Community Housing, participated in the 36th Meeting of the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Council (ASCC Council), in his capacity as Timor-Leste’s ASCC Council Minister. The meeting was held under the Philippines’ 2026 ASEAN Chairship. 

The meeting reviewed progress in implementing the ASCC Strategic Plan and the outcomes of the conclusion of the ASCC Blueprint 2025. Discussions covered regional priorities relating to inclusive development, social protection, education, youth, gender equality, migrant workers’ rights, resilience and environmental sustainability.

One of the key outcomes was the launch of the ASCC Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (PMEL) System, alongside the enhancement of the ASEAN Database for Monitoring and Evaluation (ADME 2.0), aimed at strengthening the monitoring of results and implementation of regional commitments.

The Council also considered the outcome documents to be submitted to the 49th ASEAN Summit, comprising 11 documents for adoption and 48 documents for notation by ASEAN Leaders. These documents cover areas such as social protection, family development, foundational learning, youth, poverty reduction and rural development.

Regarding Timor-Leste’s integration into the ASCC, the meeting noted the completion of the country’s accession to the six legal instruments under the socio-cultural pillar: the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER); the Establishment Agreement of the AHA Centre; the Establishment Agreement of the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity; the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution (AATHP); the Charter of the ASEAN University Network (AUN); and the Establishment Agreement of the ASEAN Centre for Active Ageing and Innovation (ACAI).

The meeting also noted Timor-Leste’s readiness to assume chairmanship responsibilities in ASEAN sectoral bodies, namely in the labour sector through the ASEAN Labour Ministers’ Meeting (ALMM), the Senior Officials Meeting on Labour (SLOM) and the SLOM Working Group, during the 2028–2030 period; and in the disaster management sector through the ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management (ACDM) and the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Disaster Management (AMMDM) in 2033.

Timor-Leste’s participation reaffirms its commitment to actively contributing to the implementation of the ASCC Strategic Plan and to building an inclusive, resilient and people-centred ASEAN Community.

 

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On October 29^th, 2026, in Caicoli, Dili, Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, accompanied by the Minister of Public Works, Samuel Marçal, inaugurated the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Training Centre, dedicated to the training, certification, and licensing of heavy-machinery and equipment operators, under the mandate of the Institute for the Management of Equipment and Support for Infrastructure Development (IGEADI, IP), with the aim of improving the qualifications of national workers and strengthening safety in equipment operation.

The centre aims to support the implementation of a system for the training, competency assessment, certification, and licensing of operators of high-risk machinery and equipment, in line with legal requirements and occupational health and safety standards. The initiative covers technical training for operators, identification and prevention of occupational risks, safe operating procedures, and equipment care and maintenance. It also seeks to ensure that workers have the necessary qualifications to perform these activities, prevent workplace accidents, expand employment opportunities for Timorese citizens, and reduce reliance on foreign operators.

During the ceremony, the Prime Minister emphasised the need to prepare the national workforce to meet the technical requirements of the country’s development projects and investment activities. Xanana Gusmão called on IGEADI to ensure ongoing oversight of the centre, equipment maintenance, and the continuity of training activities. The Head of Government also expressed appreciation to the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for its support in developing national technical capacities.

The Minister of Public Works, Samuel Marçal, emphasised that operators’ qualifications should cover not only machinery handling but also risk identification, preventive maintenance, and compliance with safety procedures. The Minister warned of the dangers associated with operating heavy equipment, particularly during operations carried out in the rainy season and in areas affected by flooding or landslides.

The establishment of the centre forms part of the legislative reforms approved by the Government in 2025. Decree-Law No. 18/2025 of July 2^nd expanded IGEADI’s responsibilities to include the promotion of specialised and certified technical training, while Decree-Law No. 19/2025, enacted on the same date, established the rules and conditions governing the use of high-risk machinery and equipment. Both legal instruments were approved at the Council of Ministers meeting on June 11^th, 2025.

Also attending the ceremony were the Vice-Minister of Public Works, Júlio do Carmo da Silva; the Secretary of State for Electricity, Water and Sanitation, Santos Noronha; the Secretary of State for Civil Protection, Domingos Mariano Reis; the Chair of Committee E of the National Parliament, Member of Parliament Marcos Xavier; the Second Commander-General of the National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL), Assistant Commissioner Natércia Eufrásia Soares Martins; the President of IGEADI, Ana Paula da Cruz; and representatives of JICA in Timor-Leste.

The initiative is part of the Government’s measures to improve the qualifications of national workers and to enforce safety standards for the use of high-risk equipment.

On October 28^th, 2026, at the National Institute for the Training of Teachers and Education Professionals (INFORDEPE – acronym in Portuguese) in Dili, the Government of Timor-Leste, through the Ministry of Education and in cooperation with the Government of the Republic of Korea, held the International Seminar on Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transition in Technical and Vocational Education and Training. The seminar aimed to promote the integration of emerging technologies into the education system and to strengthen the digital competencies of national teachers and technical staff.

The opening session was presided over by the Secretary of State for General Secondary Education and Technical-Vocational Secondary Education, Domingos Lopes Lemos, and attended by a delegation from the Republic of Korea, led by Young Saing Kim, Secretary-General of the East Asia Summit Technical and Vocational Education and Training (EAS TVET) Cooperation Network, affiliated with the Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education and Training (KRIVET).

The seminar brought together approximately 250 participants, including teachers of Information Technology and Multimedia, heads of Technical Support Offices, officials from the Ministry of Education and INFORDEPE, heads of educational institutions, and representatives of the Secretariat of State for Vocational Training and Employment (SEFOPE – acronym in Portuguese).

The initiative builds on the ongoing cooperation between the Ministry of Education and South Korean institutions, following the official visit of Secretary of State Domingos Lopes Lemos to the Republic of Korea on September 8^th and 9^th, 2026. During that visit, the Timorese delegation met with representatives from the South Korean Ministry of Education and KRIVET to review technical and vocational education practices tailored to labour market needs.

At the opening of the seminar, Domingos Lopes Lemos emphasised the need to equip national human resources to keep pace with technological advancement and to promote the use of digital tools in education and vocational training.

“Digital transformation and Artificial Intelligence are not merely modern topics or appealing slogans. They represent new capabilities that can enhance educational quality, narrow the gap between schools and the labour market, and equip Timorese youth with the knowledge and skills required in the 21st century,” he stated.

The Secretary of State also urged participants to share the knowledge gained with fellow teachers and students to broaden the use of new technologies in schools across the country.

During the seminar, educational practices and models from the Republic of Korea were presented, with a specific focus on Meister High School and Asan Smart Factory High School, highlighting how artificial intelligence, robotics, and automation are integrated into learning processes and TVET curricula.

The sessions further examined the applications, benefits, and risks of AI in education, as well as the need to train teachers to guide students in the responsible use of digital tools.

Under this cooperation framework, the Ministry of Education plans to establish an Artificial Intelligence and Digital Education Centre within the complex housing the four technical schools in Becora, Dili, to support teacher and student training and to foster digital skills development. The proposal was originally presented during the official visit to the Republic of Korea in September.

According to Ministry of Education data, Timor-Leste currently operates 33 public technical secondary schools, with more than 9,000 students enrolled across 19 fields of study, including information technology, mechanics, agriculture, tourism, and construction.

The seminar forms part of government efforts to enhance the quality of technical and vocational education, cultivate a skilled workforce, and align student competencies with market demands through international cooperation and digital integration.

Since October 8^th, 2026, the Government – through the Ministry of State Administration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, and the Technical Secretariat for Electoral Administration (STAE – acronym in Portuguese) – has been conducting electoral registration and updating the biometric database of Timorese citizens living abroad in preparation for the 2027 presidential elections. According to provisional figures released by STAE on November 4^th, 11,623 voters have been registered in Australia, South Korea, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and Northern Ireland.

The operations are conducted under Government Decree No. 6/2026 of September 16^th and Joint Ministerial Order No. 40/2026 of September 30^th, which set out the schedule and locations for voter registration abroad through January 22^nd, 2027. The process enables the enrolment of new voters, the updating of personal and biometric data, and the replacement of previous voter registration cards with the new biometric card, thereby facilitating the exercise of voting rights for Timorese citizens residing outside the national territory.

To carry out the operations, STAE deployed technical teams to diplomatic and consular representations, where registration equipment was installed and frontline personnel were trained. Mobile registration services were also established in various cities to facilitate access for citizens living or working far from consular posts.

In South Korea, the Vice-Minister of State Administration, Jacinto Rigoberto Gomes de Deus, visited the cities of Busan and Gwangju on October 24^th and 25^th, accompanied by National Elections Commission (CNE) Commissioner Odete Belo and representatives from STAE, the Ministry of State Administration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, and the National Bank of Commerce of Timor-Leste (BNCTL), with support from Timor-Leste’s Ambassador to South Korea.

During meetings with Timorese communities, the Vice-Minister urged participation in the registration drive, explaining that updated data will determine the number of resident voters in each region, supporting polling station planning. Technical teams delivered registration services in Busan, Gwangju, Seoul, and other locations with a concentration of Timorese workers.

In the United Kingdom, the Secretary of State for Local Development, Mateus W. dos Santos Tallo, monitored operations alongside representatives from STAE, the CNE, and the Embassy of Timor-Leste. The mission also included the Director-General for Consular Affairs and Protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Josefina Carla Pompeia Tilman.

On 29 October in Oxford, the Secretary of State presided over the launch of local registration activities and symbolically handed over new biometric voter cards, while technical teams began replacing cards and updating records. Two days later, in Crewe, an information session was held for the Timorese community to clarify procedures for voter enrolment and data updates.

In Australia, operations were conducted in Sydney, Melbourne, Darwin, and Warrnambool. In Portugal, services were provided in Lisbon, Porto, and Beja, while in Northern Ireland, activities took place in Belfast, Portadown, and Dungannon.

As part of these activities, the Minister of State Administration, Tomás do Rosário Cabral, is scheduled to meet with the Timorese community in New South Wales, Australia, on November 6^th, 2026, between 18:00 and 20:00 at the Mercure Hotel, Liverpool Catholic Club, in Liverpool. The meeting, organised by the Embassy of Timor-Leste in Australia through the Consulate-General in New South Wales, will provide an opportunity for direct dialogue with Timorese citizens and to clarify matters regarding voter registration in that country.

According to STAE, the technical teams deployed to Australia and South Korea have completed their initial training and operational support missions and have returned to Timor-Leste. Registration continues through consular services, with personnel trained to ensure operational continuity.

STAE also announced plans to establish registration posts in Indonesia—specifically in Jakarta, Bali, and Kupang—and in China (Beijing) to expand voter registration access for Timorese citizens living in those countries.

Operations are proceeding through coordination among government institutions, STAE, and diplomatic and consular representations, with the aim of maintaining up-to-date electoral registers for the 2027 presidential elections.

On October 29^th, 2026, in Liurai village (suco), Aileu Municipality, the Vice-Prime Minister and Minister Coordinator for Social Affairs, Mariano Assanami Sabino, presided over the solemn opening ceremony for the 2026–2027 academic year of the Joint Military Academy, organised by the Ministry of Defence. The ceremony featured the inaugural lecture by the Minister of Defence, Donaciano do Rosário da Costa Gomes, marking the start of the institution’s first preparatory course to train the inaugural generation of officer cadets for the FALINTIL–Defence Forces of Timor-Leste (F-FDTL).

The Joint Military Academy was inaugurated on February 2^nd, 2026, as part of the commemorations marking the 25th anniversary of FALINTIL’s transformation into the F-FDTL. The institution was established to provide academic and military instruction to future Armed Forces officers within an educational framework that integrates technical knowledge, leadership skills, and institutional values.

The opening of the academic year marks a new milestone in the implementation of this project, following facility preparations, the selection of the first 60 officer cadets, the design of a four-year curriculum, and preparations for academic accreditation.

In his address, Mariano Assanami Sabino emphasised the Academy’s responsibility for preparing future generations of military officers with technical expertise, leadership capacity, and respect for constitutional and democratic values.

“We need officers prepared to face present and future challenges, with the capacity to serve, lead, and set an example—placing knowledge, skills, and values at the service of the F-FDTL. Today, we bear the responsibility to preserve freedom, strengthen institutions, and prepare new generations for the future. It is within this framework that the Joint Military Academy arises,” stated the Vice-Prime Minister.

The Vice-Prime Minister commended the Ministry of Defence, the F-FDTL General Staff, and the National Defence Institute (IDN – acronym in Portuguese) for establishing the Academy, acknowledging Lieutenant General Falur Rate Laek’s contribution to bringing the project to fruition.

He further emphasised the need to secure qualified academic staff, implement rigorous study programmes, evaluate training outcomes, and maintain ongoing institutional support for the Academy.

“Our objective must be to consolidate a benchmark academy, renowned for educational quality and for the competencies of the officers who will shape future generations of the F-FDTL,” he declared.

Addressing the officer cadets, Mariano Assanami Sabino emphasised the responsibility they bear as the institution’s first cohort, urging them to cultivate values of discipline, honesty, respect, teamwork, and duty.

The ceremony included the inaugural lecture, entitled “Being an Officer: Serving, Leading, and Setting an Example”, delivered by the Minister of Defence, Donaciano do Rosário da Costa Gomes.

In his lecture, the Minister of Defence addressed the principles of military doctrine, ethics, and discipline, as well as the responsibilities of officers towards the State and the population. He stressed that the Academy must ensure not only the transmission of technical and military expertise but also the formation of character, integrity, and command capability among future F-FDTL officers.

The Minister urged cadets, lecturers, and instructors to align training with the values and principles of the military institution, aiming to prepare officers capable of assuming leadership roles and contributing to the defence of Timor-Leste’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The programme included a tour of the Academy’s facilities and a meeting with the cadets, allowing attendees to inspect teaching and training conditions.

The ceremony was attended by the Deputy Chief of the F-FDTL General Staff, Major General Calisto dos Santos; the Commander of the Joint Military Academy, Commander (Naval) Duarte Borges Loe; the Acting Director of the National Defence Institute, Nuno Corvelo Sarmento; the Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice, Virgílio da Silva Guterres; and the Second Commander-General of the National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL), Assistant Commissioner Natércia Eufrázia Soares Martins. Also present were Members of the National Parliament, Government members, municipal authorities, members of the diplomatic corps, F-FDTL and PNTL officers, academic staff, instructors, and families of the officer cadets.

The Joint Military Academy is part of human resources development initiatives in the defence sector, dedicated to training officers for the permanent cadres of the F-FDTL in line with the institution’s professional requirements.

On November 3^rd, 2026, the Government—through the Secretariat of State for Equality—held a ceremony in Bobonaro Municipality to mark the 50th anniversary of Timor-Leste’s National Women’s Day, dedicated to the memory of national heroine Maria Tapó and recognising the contributions of Timorese women to the independence struggle, state-building, and national development.

The ceremony was attended by the Minister of Social Solidarity and Inclusion and the Acting Secretary of State for Equality and Inclusion, Verónica das Dores. It included a thanksgiving Mass, a tribute at Maria Tapó’s grave, and sports activities, with participation from representatives of women’s organisations, community leaders, and local communities.

National Women’s Day is observed annually on November 3^rd in memory of Maria Tapó, a member of the Timorese Women’s Popular Organisation (OPMT), who died in combat on that date in 1975. Since 1976, the date has been observed in recognition of women’s role in the national liberation struggle, and it was formally established as a national public holiday under Law No. 10/2023 of April 5^th.

In her address, Verónica das Dores paid tribute to the sacrifices of Timorese women during the occupation, particularly the violence and discrimination they endured, and highlighted their contributions to the Resistance. The Minister also underscored progress in women’s participation in education, politics, the economy, and state institutions, while noting remaining challenges to equal opportunity.

The Minister emphasised the imperative to translate national and international commitments into concrete measures by mainstreaming gender perspectives across public policy planning, budgeting, and implementation. She further highlighted the prevention and combating of gender-based violence, victim protection, and women’s participation in decision-making processes, including at the local community level.

In his message marking the occasion, the President of the Republic, José Ramos-Horta, noted that the Constitution of the Republic enshrines equality between women and men and called for this principle to be implemented through public policies backed by the necessary financial resources. The Head of State also stressed the need to guarantee women and girls access to education, healthcare, social protection, and political participation, and encouraged men and boys to join in promoting equality and combating discrimination and violence against women.

The Chair of Committee F of the National Parliament, Maria Barreto Gorumali, also highlighted women’s contributions to national self-determination and advocated recognition of their role in the history of the Resistance. She urged public institutions, women’s organisations, and communities to actively engage in preventing and combating violence and discrimination.

The celebrations are held under the theme “Women of Timor-Leste: Celebrating 50 Years of Equality and Inclusion” and the motto “We, Timorese Women, Will Never Surrender, We Will Continue to Fight to Achieve Equality and Inclusion”, both approved by the Council of Ministers on August 26^th, 2026.

The commemorative programme, coordinated by the Secretariat of State for Equality, included a national seminar held on October 26th in Dili and will continue on November 6th at the Dili Convention Centre with the official national ceremony. This will feature a seminar on the role of women in peacebuilding, equality, and development, exhibitions highlighting their contributions to the Resistance and state-building, and cultural and artistic performances.

On November 2^nd, 2026, at the ASEAN Secretariat headquarters in Jakarta, Indonesia, Francisco Kalbuadi Lay, the Vice-Prime Minister, Minister Coordinator for Economic Affairs, and Minister of Tourism and Environment, met with Kao Kim Hourn, the Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), to review Timor-Leste’s integration process into the regional organisation, outstanding economic commitments, and preparations for its ASEAN Chairmanship in 2029.

The meeting took place following the first anniversary of Timor-Leste’s full accession to ASEAN, formalised on October 26^th, 2025, and focused on fulfilling the remaining criteria under the accession roadmap, particularly on concluding the accession process to the organisation’s remaining economic agreements and on establishing the necessary conditions for their implementation.

During the meeting, Francisco Kalbuadi Lay provided an overview of Timor-Leste’s first year of participation as a Member State across the institutional, economic, infrastructure, security, and diplomatic spheres. Preparations at the national level for Timor-Leste’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2029 were also discussed.

Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn reaffirmed the ASEAN Secretariat’s readiness to continue providing technical assistance to Timor-Leste in meeting its commitments within the organisation.

The national delegation comprised the Minister of Transport and Communications, Miguel Marques Gonçalves Manetelu; the Minister of the Interior, Francisco da Costa Guterres; the Vice-Minister of Trade and Industry, Augusto Júnior Trindade; Timor-Leste’s Ambassador to Indonesia, Roberto Sarmento de Oliveira Soares; and Timor-Leste’s Ambassador to ASEAN, Elisa da Silva.

As part of the visit, the ASEAN Secretary-General hosted an official dinner in honour of the Vice-Prime Minister on November 2^nd, providing an additional opportunity for dialogue on Timor-Leste’s participation in regional organisation initiatives.

On October 30^th, 2026, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation in Dili, the Government presented the ANUNNAI digital platform, designed to support the coordination and monitoring of preparations for Timor-Leste’s ASEAN chairmanship in 2029.

The ceremony was presided over by Francisco Kalbuadi Lay, the Vice-Prime Minister, Minister Coordinator for Economic Affairs, and Minister of Tourism and Environment, with participation from the Vice-Minister for ASEAN Affairs, Milena Rangel, representatives of various ministries, and the coordinators of the subcommittees of the ASEAN Chairmanship National Organising Council (ACNOC).

Organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation through the Directorate-General for ASEAN Affairs, the initiative featured a workshop on the platform’s implementation and use, aimed at demonstrating its capabilities and promoting inter-institutional coordination ahead of the 2029 Chairmanship.

ANUNNAI is a digital platform designed to integrate and analyse data, monitor the implementation of projects and activities, identify risks and potential delays, and provide decision-support intelligence. The system incorporates technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Knowledge Graphs, Digital Twins, and Predictive Intelligence.

On 16 September 2026, the Council of Ministers endorsed the strategic deployment of these technologies to prepare for and exercise the ASEAN Chairmanship, authorising a pilot project for the ANUNNAI platform. Implementation will follow a phased approach, coordinated by ACNOC through the National ASEAN Secretariat (NAS), in alignment with relevant entities, and will be subject to governance, cybersecurity, data protection, and human oversight mechanisms.

The results, costs, benefits, and risks of the pilot project will be evaluated before any prospective expansion, with the AI Readiness Task Force tasked with presenting its findings and recommendations to ACNOC.

At the opening of the workshop, Francisco Kalbuadi Lay emphasised the need to improve coordination, communication, and information sharing among government institutions involved in preparing for the ASEAN Chairmanship.

“ANUNNAI will help us centralise information, track progress, identify challenges, and ensure our preparations remain on course,” said the Vice-Prime Minister, clarifying that the platform does not supersede the responsibilities or decision-making authority of individual ministries and public bodies.

Francisco Kalbuadi Lay further called for active participation by institutions in establishing platform operational procedures, including specifying data inputs from each body, monitoring progress, and ensuring the timely identification of bottlenecks.

The initiative forms part of the framework for Timor-Leste’s inaugural ASEAN Chairmanship, scheduled for 2029 following its accession to the regional organisation on October 26^th, 2025.

The development and evaluation of the ANUNNAI pilot project are key institutional readiness measures coordinated by ACNOC to host the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2029.

 

On October 30^th, 2026, in Atsabe Administrative Post, Ermera Municipality, Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, accompanied by the Minister of Public Works, Samuel Marçal, presided over the groundbreaking ceremony for the Letefoho–Atsabe–Lourba road rehabilitation project, which spans 48.93 kilometres and has an investment of US$ 43.2 million.

The project covers the municipalities of Ermera and Bobonaro. It aims to improve transport conditions between the administrative posts of Letefoho, Atsabe, and Lourba, facilitate the transport of agricultural products, and enhance community access to markets, educational institutions, and healthcare services.

The intervention forms part of the 9th Constitutional Government’s priorities to improve the national road network and connections between rural communities. In July 2025, the Council of Ministers authorised expenditure and the launch of the procurement process for this project, alongside three other road rehabilitation projects covering the Maliana–Cailaco–Marobo Bridge and the Bobonaro–Lolotoe sections in Bobonaro Municipality, as well as the urban road network of Liquiçá.

The ceremony included traditional rituals led by representatives of local communities, the blessing of the land, and the symbolic laying of the cornerstone.

In his address, the Prime Minister called on communities, particularly young people, to monitor the execution of the works and to preserve the infrastructure upon completion.

“A substantial amount of money is being spent on this project, and it belongs to the people. The people suffered for 24 years to secure these funds. Therefore, I ask the communities to take good care of this infrastructure, as this road will make life easier for many people. We must value the people’s money and use it wisely,” stated Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão.

The Head of Government also urged municipal authorities and administrative post administrators to maintain ongoing dialogue with local communities and the contractor to resolve any difficulties that arise during construction.

On the same occasion, the Minister of Public Works, Samuel Marçal, emphasised that meeting execution deadlines also depends on community cooperation, particularly in securing access to locally available construction materials and resolving land-use matters.

The Minister further highlighted the link between road conditions and transport costs for agricultural produce, particularly coffee. He explained that road degradation increases transport costs and affects the prices paid to producers, whereas improved road links will facilitate market access.

Speaking on behalf of the communities across the three administrative posts involved, the Administrator of Atsabe Administrative Post, Manuel Oliveira, expressed satisfaction with the project’s launch, highlighting expected benefits for agricultural transport and for students and families travelling to healthcare facilities.

The ceremony was attended by members of the Government, Members of the National Parliament, municipal administration officials, representatives of public institutions, local authorities, traditional and religious leaders, veterans, students, and community members from Letefoho, Atsabe, and Lourba.

The project, with a contract value of US$43,199,250.51, will be executed over an estimated two-year period under the supervision of the Ministry of Public Works.