On October 29th, 2026, in Dili, the Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Agio Pereira, met with the Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Timor-Leste, Katyna Argueta, and representatives from the UNDP and the European Union Delegation to Timor-Leste to discuss the Government’s priorities for digital transformation and the coordination of support provided through the Dalan Digital project.
During the meeting, the Minister presented national priorities for the digital transformation of public services and outlined the work carried out by the Interministerial Commission on Cybersecurity and the Digitalisation of State Services, which he chairs. The meeting also provided an opportunity to discuss how the Dalan Digital project can support these priorities in coordination with the relevant national institutions.
The project “Dalan Digital – A New Path for Digital Citizenship in Timor-Leste”, funded by the European Union and implemented by the UNDP in partnership with the Ministries of Justice, Transport and Communications, and State Administration, supports the development of the legal and regulatory framework, digital public infrastructure, and interoperability, as well as the enhancement of institutional capacities and digital literacy.
On October 20th, 2026, in Bandung, Indonesia, the Minister of Strategic Planning and Investment, Gastão Francisco de Sousa, received the “Distinguished Honorary Fellow” distinction from the ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organisations (AFEO) during the 44th Conference of the ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organisations (CAFEO 44).
The “Distinguished Honorary Fellow” distinction is conferred by AFEO on individuals of recognised distinction who have rendered significant service to the development of the engineering profession, the achievement of the Federation’s vision and mission, nation-building, or the ASEAN community. Under AFEO regulations, potential recipients include government ministers and other figures holding positions of high responsibility.
Gastão Francisco de Sousa is an engineer and a member of the National Association of Engineers of Timor-Leste. He previously served as Minister of Public Works in the 5th Constitutional Government and currently serves as Minister of Strategic Planning and Investment in the 9th Constitutional Government, with responsibilities that include strategic and integrated planning and the implementation of the Strategic Development Plan, particularly in infrastructure, urban planning, and spatial planning.
The certificate awarded to Minister Gastão Francisco de Sousa was signed by AFEO President Ilham Akbar Habibie and the organisation’s Secretary-General, Tan Chee Fai.
CAFEO 44 took place in Bandung from October 20th to 22nd, under the theme “Future of ASEAN: Shared Prosperity and Humanity Through Inclusive and Sustainable Industrialisation”.
The conference comprised engineering sessions, working group meetings, technical visits, a Women Engineers Summit, a Young Engineers Festival, AFEO institutional meetings, and activities on sustainable development and regional cooperation among engineering professionals.
The Minister of Public Works, Samuel Marçal, and the Secretary of State for Electricity, Water and Sanitation, Santos Noronha, took part on October 26th and 27th, 2026, in Dili in two initiatives dedicated to water resource management and to strengthening the resilience of water, sanitation and hygiene services, bringing together public institutions, international partners, experts and civil society organisations.
On October 26th, the Minister of Public Works took part in the International Symposium on Water, Peace and Diplomacy, held at the Nicolau Lobato Presidential Palace to promote dialogue on water resource management, regional cooperation, and the role of water diplomacy in peace, stability, and sustainable development.
The event, organised by the Presidency of the Republic in collaboration with Permatil, the Global Water Institute at the University of New South Wales, and the Diplomacy Training Programme, was attended by the President of the Republic, José Ramos-Horta; the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Water, Retno Marsudi; and representatives from government, the diplomatic corps, development partners, experts, researchers, civil society organisations, and university students.
In his address, Samuel Marçal highlighted the shared responsibility for river basin management and argued that cooperation on water issues helps build trust and prevent disputes. The Minister also emphasised the need for decisions based on information on rainfall, rivers, groundwater, and water quality, as well as the sharing of such data among participating entities.
The Minister of Public Works outlined four sector priorities: maintaining regular dialogue on shared river basins; strengthening monitoring and information sharing; protecting basins through reforestation and erosion and pollution control; and securing funding for infrastructure and for institutional capacity building.
Samuel Marçal also stressed that water security depends not only on water availability but also on its quality, advocating measures for wastewater treatment, waste management, and responsible agricultural practices against a backdrop shaped by climate change impacts.
The following day, October 27th, discussions on sustainable water resource management continued from national and sectoral perspectives, with the Secretary of State for Electricity, Water and Sanitation, Santos Noronha, attending the opening of the National Forum on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, held at the João Paulo II Hall in Comoro.
Under the theme “Strengthening the Resilience of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene to Tackle Climate Change in Timor-Leste”, the Forum promoted coordination among public institutions, development partners, international agencies, non-governmental organisations, civil society, and municipal and local administrative structures, with a particular focus on service resilience in the face of climate change.
In his remarks, Santos Noronha highlighted the National Forum as a sectoral coordination mechanism and stated that the 9th Constitutional Government regards access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene as a basic necessity for the population, linked to public health, education, and economic development. The Government aims to expand access to adequate, inclusive, and sustainable services across urban and rural areas.
The Secretary of State also emphasised the need to strengthen alignment across various programmes and interventions. Water and sanitation projects are delivered through Bee Timor-Leste, E.P., government programmes—including the Municipal Development Programme and the National Sucos Development Programme—and initiatives undertaken with support from national and international partners.
The Coordinator of Timor-Leste’s National Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Platform, Januário Amaral de Jesus, also emphasised the need to strengthen coordination among stakeholders to promote aligned interventions and support national targets to expand access to water and sanitation services.
The two initiatives held in Dili addressed, across various dimensions, challenges related to water resource management, climate change, and access to water and sanitation services, ranging from regional cooperation and water diplomacy to national and local policy coordination and project implementation.
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On October 27th, 2026, in Dili, the Minister of Justice, Sérgio de Jesus Fernandes da Costa Hornai, met with Portugal’s Minister of Justice, Rita Alarcão Júdice, to discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation in the justice sector, with a focus on technology in justice services and land registration. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 19th Conference of Ministers of Justice of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CMJPLOP).
During the meeting, both Ministers addressed the strengthening of institutional cooperation between their respective Ministries within the framework of existing cooperation mechanisms, as well as the sharing of knowledge, expertise, and best practices between institutions in both countries.
Among the areas examined were the application of technology to justice services and land registration, within the broader context of modernising public services and enhancing institutional capacities. Opportunities for technical and institutional exchange, the identification of new areas of collaboration, and the development of joint initiatives were also discussed.
The meeting continued the dialogue between the two leaders, which began in Lisbon on June 24th of this year. During that meeting, the two delegations reviewed the status of bilateral cooperation and addressed human resources development, capacity building for Timorese judicial authorities, support for the Legal and Judicial Training Centre (CFJJ – acronym in Portuguese), and the modernisation of registry and notary services.
The June meeting also covered the continuation of Portuguese support for the CFJJ, including the training programme for Timorese legal trainers, which is scheduled for 2027.
The bilateral meeting took place within the framework of the 19th CMJPLOP, which brought together justice officials from CPLP Member States in Dili to strengthen legal and judicial cooperation, share experience, and coordinate institutions.
Both Ministers reaffirmed the importance of maintaining ongoing dialogue and coordination between their respective Ministries to strengthen bilateral relations and develop cooperation mechanisms tailored to the needs and priorities of both nations.
Directors of Departments from the Ministry of Justice of Timor-Leste, the Ambassador of Portugal to Timor-Leste, Duarte Bué Alves, and other members of the Portuguese delegation attended the meeting.
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Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão met on October 28th, 2026, at the Government Palace in Dili with the Ambassador of the European Union to Timor-Leste, Thorsten Bargfrede, and a delegation from the European Union Exploratory Mission to discuss preparations for the presidential elections scheduled for March 2027 and the potential deployment of an EU Election Observation Mission.
The Minister of State Administration, Tomás do Rosário Cabral, also attended, providing an opportunity to review the national electoral system and the ongoing preparations for the upcoming poll. The exploratory mission comprises specialists in political, legal, logistical, and security affairs.
The delegation is in Timor-Leste to assess the conditions for deploying an EU Election Observation Mission for the 2027 presidential elections, following an invitation to the European Union to observe the electoral process. As part of this assessment, the delegation is consulting with national institutions and other electoral stakeholders.
Before meeting the Prime Minister, the delegation met with representatives of civil society, political parties, and the media to gather perspectives on the electoral process.
The visit comes amid preparations for the next electoral cycle and an ongoing review of the electoral legal framework. On October 21st, the Council of Ministers approved four draft laws presented by the Minister of State Administration to amend the Municipal Electoral Law, the Electoral Registration Law, the National Parliament Electoral Law, and the Presidential Electoral Law.
The proposed amendments aim to update and harmonise electoral procedures, modernise the voter registration system, and facilitate the exercise of voting rights. Measures include improving accessibility for persons with disabilities through Braille ballot paper templates; extending voting hours at overseas polling stations to 20:00 for presidential and parliamentary elections; and advancing the digitisation of voter registration through electronic forms, biometric data collection, and enhanced security features on voter cards, including QR codes.
The proposals also provide for the establishment of electoral registration commissions in countries where Timor-Leste lacks diplomatic representation, as well as for modifications to candidate nomination requirements and to the organisation of polling centres and polling stations.
The European Union regularly monitors electoral processes in Timor-Leste. In 2025, an EU Electoral Follow-up Mission visited the country to assess progress on electoral reform and the implementation of recommendations from the 2022 EU Election Observation Mission and the 2023 EU Election Expert Mission.
Preparations for the 2027 presidential elections also include voter registration and updating the biometric electoral database, both domestically and among Timorese communities abroad.
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Press Release
Meeting of the Council of Ministers on October 28th, 2026
The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace in Dili and approved the draft Decree-Law, presented by the Vice Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister of Economic Affairs, Francisco Kalbuadi Lay, and the Governor of the Central Bank of Timor-Leste (BCTL), Hélder Lopes, concerning the Legal Framework for the Use of Electronic Payment Instruments in the Conduct of Economic Activities.
The Decree-Law imposes an obligation on economic operators to provide electronic payment instruments and to accept electronic payments, with a view to promoting the efficiency, security, transparency and traceability of transactions, as well as the development and use of the national payment system.
The scheme covers operators of economic activities throughout the country, payment service providers authorised by the BCTL, the public administration and other public bodies, whilst providing for exceptions for street traders and for activities carried out in remote areas where the technical, technological or infrastructural conditions necessary for the use of these instruments do not exist. The operators covered by the scheme have a period of six months to comply with the new obligations, with the legislation coming into force on the first day of the month following its publication.
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The Council of Ministers has approved the draft Government Resolution, presented by the Minister for Finance, Santina José Rodrigues F. Viegas Cardoso, which approves the paid-in capital of the National Development Bank of Timor-Leste, SA (BNDTL – acronym in Portuguese) and authorises the related expenditure.
The Resolution approves the BNDTL’s paid-in capital, fully subscribed by the State, in the amount of US$30 million, and authorises expenditure up to December 31st, 2026, using funds allocated in this year’s General State Budget.
Paid-in capital is a prerequisite for the BNDTL’s application for authorisation from the Central Bank of Timor-Leste. The Bank’s mission is to promote the country’s sustainable and inclusive economic development by providing appropriate financing solutions for domestic companies and projects, whilst complementing the commercial banking and existing financial systems.
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The Council of Ministers has decided to approve the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea on the establishment of a bilateral consultation mechanism.
The Memorandum establishes a mechanism for regular bilateral consultations to strengthen relations and cooperation between the two countries, facilitate the exchange of views on bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest, and assess progress in cooperation in areas that may include trade, the economy, health, education, science and technology, and agriculture.
Consultations will take place at the senior official level of the respective Ministries of Foreign Affairs, once every two years, or whenever the parties deem it necessary, alternating between Timor-Leste and the Republic of Korea.
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The Council of Ministers approved the draft Decree-Law, presented by the Minister for Public Works, Samuel Marçal, on the Special Procurement Regime for the Construction of Infrastructure Aimed at Improving Accessibility and the Regeneration of the City of Dili, as part of preparations for events related to Timor-Leste’s ASEAN Chairmanship.
The Decree-Law establishes a special procurement regime to streamline procedures for implementing priority projects to improve accessibility and regenerate the city of Dili, with a view to ensuring their timely completion in time for the events relating to Timor-Leste’s ASEAN Chairmanship, which is scheduled to begin in 2029.
The regime covers nine sections of roads and streets in the city of Dili, including works on roads, pedestrian routes and public spaces, the replacement of overhead public electricity systems with underground systems, and the installation or pre-installation of public sanitation, water supply, and telecommunications infrastructure.
For the implementation of these projects, the legislation permits competitive tendering or direct award procedures, regardless of contract value, without derogating from the principles and other rules applicable to public procurement and the execution of public expenditure.
The Ministry of Public Works and the public corporations under its authority are responsible for implementing the projects, whilst the National Procurement Commission, I.P., is responsible for conducting the procurement procedures. The National Development Agency, I.P., retains its powers of technical and financial verification, as well as any other powers provided for in the applicable legislation.
The aim of this measure is to ensure the timely implementation of the works required to prepare the city of Dili for the events associated with the ASEAN Chairmanship, whilst also helping to improve road and pedestrian traffic flow, the urban environment and the public infrastructure affected by the works.
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The Council of Ministers approved the draft Government Resolution, presented by the Minister for State Administration, Tomás do Rosário Cabral, for the first amendment to Government Resolution No. 19/2026 of April 1st, which sets the maximum expenditure to be incurred in connection with the process of transferring the remains of Catholic prelates who carried out pastoral duties in Timor-Leste.
The approved amendment increases the maximum amount allocated to cover the costs of transferring the remains of Portugal’s prelates to Dili Cathedral, as well as the associated funeral and memorial services, from US$600,000 to US$854,990.
This increase, amounting to US$254,990, is intended to cover the additional costs approved during the course of the process by the Interministerial Committee responsible for organising the ceremonies, namely those relating to the government’s institutional representation at the ceremonies held at Évora Cathedral in Portugal, the construction of the Mehara monument, and the ceremonies held in Bali, Indonesia. END
On October 26th, 2026, in Jakarta, the Vice-Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for Social Affairs, and Acting Minister of Higher Education, Science and Culture, Mariano Assanami Sabino, met with Indonesia’s Vice-Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology, Fauzan, to discuss strengthening cooperation between the two countries in higher education, scientific research, and human resource development.
The meeting, held at the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology of Indonesia, addressed human resource development, joint research, student exchanges, and capacity building for higher education institutions in both countries.
According to data released by the Indonesian Ministry, more than 5,700 Timorese students are currently enrolled in higher education institutions across Indonesia. Institutional cooperation between the two nations encompasses university partnerships, joint research, and academic staff and student exchanges, facilitated by various scholarship programmes and higher education partnerships.
During the meeting, opportunities were discussed for developing joint research projects in health, fisheries, and biodiversity—including studies on disease prevention, aquatic resources, and endemic species—to advance scientific knowledge and support the development needs of both nations.
Both sides also addressed strengthening academic staff capacity, career progression in academia, and student mobility.
A further topic of discussion concerned administrative procedures for international students, including visa processing and study-related residence permits.
The meeting also covered updating the Memorandum of Understanding between Indonesia and Timor-Leste in the Field of Higher Education, which is scheduled to expire in 2027, to ensure the continuity of bilateral cooperation, particularly in the context of Timor-Leste’s accession to ASEAN.
This meeting builds on ongoing contacts between institutions in both countries, including the Vice-Prime Minister’s visit to Brawijaya University in Malang on October 4th and 5th, during which two memoranda of understanding were signed in higher education, scientific research, and rural development.