available soon

Following the Declaration of the Chair of the 46th Summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) adopted in Kuala Lumpur on May 26^th, 2025, and the Government Resolution approved by the Council of Ministers at its meeting on May 29^th, which established an interministerial working group tasked with “completing the necessary formal procedures and accelerating negotiations on the main economic agreements necessary for Timor-Leste’s full accession to the organisation,” the Government convened the first Interministerial Coordination Meeting on June 16. Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão chaired the meeting, held in the Noble Hall of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation. 

The meeting agenda included reviewing the decisions of the 46th Summit, taking stock of the status of the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon Free Zone Treaty (SEANWFZ), assessing progress in implementing the Roadmap for Full Membership, defining negotiating priorities and the core negotiating team, presenting the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and identifying capacity-building needs, as well as considering the timetable for the next steps, establishing ministerial focal points within ASEAN sectoral bodies, outlining the overall budget allocation of the Government for the process, and preparing for administrative and logistical arrangements for the 47th ASEAN Summit scheduled for October. 

Through this initiative, the Government reaffirms its commitment to fulfilling, within the agreed timeframe, all requirements for Timor-Leste to become the 11th Member State of ASEAN. 

Under the slogan “Optimising Results with Realistic Expenditures”, this year’s Budgetary Days began with welcoming remarks from Finance Minister Santina José Rodrigues F. Viegas Cardoso, followed by an opening speech delivered by Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão. 

In his speech, the Prime Minister stressed that “Today’s meeting marks the beginning of an important process for our country: the preparation of the 2026 General State Budget”, stressing that “The 2026 budget must continue to reflect our determination to build a more prosperous, equitable and resilient society”.

Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão also emphasised that “as such, the State Budget is not just a financial tool — it is a moral instrument”, calling for commitment from all those involved, saying “Ladies and Gentlemen, we cannot let our people down!”.

Among the main priorities identified by the Head of Government, social protection stood out, which “remains one of our foremost priorities. In 2026, we will prioritise the design and rollout of a more integrated, inclusive and digitalised social protection platform that is able to adapt to the changing needs of our society”. 

He also emphasised the importance of institutional reforms and improvements on “the machinery of Government, especially in how we manage public finances”, which are “essential not just for effective governance, but also for restoring public trust”.

In the economic area, the Prime Minister stated that “we must also lay the foundations for a more dynamic, inclusive and competitive economy”, stressing that “although the private sector will drive our economic growth, but the government must create the enabling environment for this transformation to succeed”. 

Lastly, the Head of Government reinforced the call for responsibility and ambition in preparing the General State Budget, stating that “The 2026 Budget must reflect these aspirations. It must be a Budget of responsibility — fiscally, socially, environmentally and politically”. “It must embody our vision for Timor-Leste’s future and our commitment to the welfare of our people”. “Let us work together, and work hard, on a Budget that transforms — a Budget that accelerates economic growth, a Budget that puts people first, especially those most in need”. “The decisions we will make today [during these Budgetary Days] will shape our nation’s trajectory for years to come”. “And above all, let us remain united in our mission to deliver a better life for every citizen of Timor-Leste.” 

The Minister of Finance emphasised that the theme “Optimising Results with Realistic Expenditures” “focuses on the essence of our collective responsibility as managers of public resources”.

 The minister said that the preparation of the 2026 GSB “is not just a technical exercise in resource allocation, but also includes Timor-Leste’s vision for sustainable development, our commitment to improving the lives of citizens, and our dedication to building a more prosperous and resilient nation.”

Minister Santina Cardoso also stated that “our commitment to transparent and inclusive governance reflects open governance, bringing together all parties from various sectors who can contribute their knowledge to ensure that the budget is drawn up through collective and transparent decisions.”

During the various sessions of the event, macroeconomic issues, budgetary strategies, and the performance of the financial and private sectors were discussed. Proposals for priorities, mandatory expenditures, and scenarios regarding the 2026 fiscal ceiling were presented, which will subsequently be submitted to the Council of Ministers for consideration.

Following the General State Budget and Public Financial Management Framework Law, the draft Law Proposal for the 2025 GSB must be submitted to the National Parliament by October 1^st, 2025.

Speech by H. E. the Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão

Ministry of Finance, Dili

13 June 2025

available soon

Presidency of the Council of Ministers

Spokesperson of the Government of Timor-Leste

Ninth Constitutional Government

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

June 13th, 2025

Press Release 

Government of Timor-Leste Expresses Deep Condolences for Victims of Air Crash in Ahmedabad

The Government of Timor-Leste expresses its deepest consternation and sorrow for the tragedy that occurred on June 12^th, 2025, in the city of Ahmedabad, India, where an Air India plane, bound for London, crashed shortly after take-off, resulting in the death of at least 241 individuals.

There were 242 people aboard the aircraft—230 passengers and 12 crew members—of various nationalities, including 169 Indian citizens, 53 British citizens, seven Portuguese citizens, and one Canadian citizen. The Government of Timor-Leste profoundly regrets the loss of human life and extends its heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims of this tragic accident, which marks one of the most devastating episodes in civil aviation in recent decades.

The Government of Timor-Leste expresses its solidarity with the Government and people of India during this time of collective grief. It extends that solidarity to the Governments of the United Kingdom, Portugal, and Canada, whose citizens are among the deceased.

On behalf of the Government of Timor-Leste, the Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and Government Spokesperson, Agio Pereira, declares that “it is with deep regret that the Government of Timor-Leste welcomed the news of the plane crash in Ahmedabad. The loss of so many lives, including citizens of friendly countries with which we have historical ties and cooperation, saddens us deeply. We express our sincere solidarity with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian people, as well as with the families of all the victims of this tragedy.” END

As part of the timetable for preparing the 2026 State Budget, which has already been distributed to all public bodies, the Ministry of Finance is organising the 2026 Budgetary Days on June 13th, 2025, under the slogan “Optimising Results with Realistic Expenditure”. The meeting, to be held in the Ministry of Finance Auditorium, aims to enable the government to analyse national priorities and define the fiscal ceiling scenario for the 2026 financial year.

The programme begins at 08:30 with the registration of participants, followed by the playing of the Timor-Leste National Anthem at 09:00. Then, at 09:10, the Minister of Finance will welcome the participants, preceding the brief opening remarks from the Prime Minister.

Starting at 9:40 a.m., the Ministry of Finance will present several key topics, including an overview of the macroeconomic and social context, an analysis of previous years’ revenue performance, and the tax outlook. These presentations will proceed until 11:30.

This was followed by targeted interventions addressing the performance and primary challenges encountered by the financial and private sectors, involving the National Bank of Commerce of Timor-Leste (BNCTL, Portuguese acronym) and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Timor-Leste (CCITL, Portuguese acronym), respectively.

After the lunch break, from 12:30 to 14:00, the session resumes with three new presentations from the Ministry of Finance, focusing on the performance of past years’ spending, compulsory expenditures, and the indicative fiscal scenario for 2026.

Between 3:00 p.m. and 5:15 p.m., there will be an opportunity for discussion among the participants. The work concludes at 5:30 p.m.

The Vice-Minister of Social Solidarity and Inclusion, Céu Brites, is officially representing the State of Timor-Leste at the 18^th Session of the Conference of State Parties (COSP18) to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), which takes place at the United Nations headquarters in New York from June 10^th to 12^th 2025. This annual meeting brings together representatives of State Parties, civil society organizations and international experts to assess the implementation of the Convention and promote the inclusion of persons with disabilities at a global level. 

In her speech during the opening session, the Vice Minister highlighted the progress made by Timor-Leste since ratifying the Convention in January 2023, reaffirming the country’s commitment to promoting the rights of people with disabilities and strengthening social justice and equality. 

The central theme of this year’s event is ‘Strengthening public awareness of the rights and contributions of people with disabilities to social development, in preparation for the World Social Summit’. The debates are taking place around three sub-themes: ‘Empowering persons with disabilities and strengthening social development policies through innovative financing’; ‘Leaving no one behind: using artificial intelligence as a tool to support inclusion and strengthen the participation of persons with disabilities’; and ‘Recognizing and addressing the rights of indigenous persons with disabilities and their role in promoting disability inclusion. 

Timor-Leste’s participation in this international forum is an opportunity to share experiences and good practices in the field of the rights of persons with disabilities, as well as to strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation with other States and organizations committed to promoting inclusion.  

The Timorese delegation has the support of the Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Dionísio da Costa Babo Soares, the Deputy Permanent Representative, Jesuíno de Oliveira Alves, and Counsellor Licínio M. Branco. The Vice-Minister is also accompanied by members of her staff and the National Director for the Promotion of Persons with Disabilities, among other representatives from the Ministry of Social Solidarity and Inclusion.

The Vice-Minister of ASEAN Affairs and Timor-Leste’s Representative to Senior Officials’ Meetings (SOM Leader), Milena Rangel, led the Timorese delegation that participated in the ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meeting (ASEAN SOM), the ASEAN Plus Three Senior Officials’ Meeting (APT SOM) and the East Asia Summit Senior Officials’ Meeting (EAS SOM), held between June 9^th to 10^th in Penang, Malaysia. 

During the talks, key issues for regional integration and strengthening cooperation with external partners were addressed, with emphasis on progress in the process of Timor-Leste’s full membership of ASEAN, as well as sharing perspectives on regional and global issues of common interest. 

On the sidelines of ASEAN SOM, Vice-Minister Milena Rangel held a bilateral meeting with Australia’s Representative to ASEAN, Michelle Chan. The meeting helped strengthen bilateral relations between Timor-Leste and Australia, with a view to deepening cooperation in the political, economic and development fields.

Timor-Leste’s presence at these meetings underlines the national commitment to the ASEAN integration process and its active participation in the regional dynamics of peace, security and sustainable development. END

The Ninth Constitutional Government of Timor-Leste proudly hosted a first-ever government-led “Dili Ocean Parade,” marking a historic milestone for the Southeast Asia region. This vibrant celebration was one the highlights of Timor-Leste’s World Ocean Week 2025, held from 1 to 8 June. 

The Parade took place on Saturday 7 June and transformed the coastline of Dili into a celebration of a ‘Sea of Blue’. The parade began in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation and made its way along the vibrant coastal area stopping at the Dili Port, just a short distance from the Government Palace. The event was officially opened by the President of the Republic, José Ramos-Horta, Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão and Vice Prime Minister Francisco Kalbuadi Lay, who also serves as Minister Coordinator for Economic Affairs and Minister of Tourism and Environment. 

The parade was organised by the Ministry of Tourism and Environment with support from the Land and Maritime Boundary Office (LMBO) and drew thousands of participants from Dili as well as representatives from numerous municipalities. Participants ranged from government agencies, development partners, NGOs, community groups, municipalities, educational institutions to members of the private sector. Dressed in ocean-themed costumes and colours, the crowd marched with decorated vehicles, spreading a vibrant message that celebrated the ocean’s wonders and called for its preservation and protection for future generations. 

Held during World Ocean Week 2025, the Dili Ocean Parade celebrated Timor-Leste’s strong connection to the sea and highlighted the nation’s commitment to marine conservation. The event focused on increasing public awareness of the ocean’s significance and fostering national pride alongside a shared responsibility to safeguard marine resources, promote sustainable ocean management, advance Timor-Leste’s Blue Economy vision, while sending a compelling message to the global and regional community on the urgent need to protect our shared ocean.

The parade concluded with an Ocean Gastronomic Festival at Dili Port, showcasing the many opportunities the ocean provides to support and improve livelihoods in Timor-Leste, along with entertainment and cultural performances by community groups.

The Government of Timor-Leste expressed its gratitude for the dedication and participation of all stakeholders in making the first-ever government-led ocean parade a great success.

(media LMBO)