Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão submitted, today, May 15^th, 2026, to the President of the National Parliament, Maria Fernanda Lay, a proposal for the first amendment to Law No. 8/2025 of November 27^th, regarding the General State Budget for 2026 (2026 GSB). The document was submitted in the presence of the Minister of Finance, Santina José Rodrigues F. Viegas Cardoso; the Vice Minister of Finance, Regina de Jesus; and the Vice Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Adérito Hugo da Costa. 

The supplementary budget, approved by the Council of Ministers at its meeting on May 13^th, provides for adjustments 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 Special Administrative Region of Oe-Cússe Ambeno (RAEOA – acronym in Portuguese).

With this adjustment, the consolidated amount for the 2026 GSB increases by US$101.1 million, bringing the total to US$2.39 billion.

The increase in the budget is not due to an increase in transfers from the Petroleum Fund, but rather to a realignment of the government’s funding sources, using operating surpluses, available balances in non-operating bank accounts, and increased domestic revenue.

The proposal also aims to mitigate the economic impact of rising international fuel prices, given the country’s heavy reliance on imports—particularly of fuel and food products—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, with no significant increase, thanks to measures adopted by the Government to stabilise fuel prices.

The law proposal will now be submitted to the National Parliament for consideration and debate.

Milena Rangel, Vice Minister for ASEAN Affairs and Timor-Leste’s Leader at the ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meeting (ASEAN–Timor-Leste SOM Leader), led the national delegation to the 38th ASEAN–Australia Forum, held in Sydney, Australia, on May 12^th and 13^th, 2026. 

This marked Timor-Leste’s first participation in this Forum as a full member of ASEAN, following the country’s accession to the regional organisation in October 2025.

The Forum was co-chaired by Australia and Indonesia, represented respectively by Michelle Chan, Deputy Secretary of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Australia’s High-Level Representative to ASEAN, and by Ina H. Krisnamurthi, Director General for Cooperation with ASEAN and Indonesia’s Lead for the ASEAN High-Level Representatives’ Meeting.

The meeting brought together high-level representatives from ASEAN and Australia to review progress in ASEAN-Australia relations and discuss the future direction of cooperation, in the year marking the 5th anniversary of the ASEAN-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

During the Forum, participants discussed the implementation of the ASEAN–Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Action Plan for 2025–2029 and regional and international issues of mutual interest.

The discussions also covered areas of cooperation on regional peace, stability, and prosperity; rules-based trade; resilient supply chains; food and energy security; and the strengthening of the ASEAN-led regional architecture.

Vice Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Social Affairs, Mariano Assanami Sabino, stated that the media play a fundamental role in state-building in democratic countries such as Timor-Leste during the closing ceremony of the International Conference, The Dili Dialogue Forum (DDF) 2026, held on May 12^th, 2026, in Dili, under the theme “The Role of the Media for a Future of Peace.” 

In his remarks, the Vice Prime Minister called on media professionals to continue reflecting on the challenges facing the sector, to promote the exchange of ideas, and to seek solutions to the difficulties encountered in their profession.

Mariano Assanami Sabino acknowledged the challenges journalists face, including pay and working conditions, and highlighted media professionals’ commitment to providing the public with credible information.

“I am well aware of the challenges journalists face. Despite these difficulties, they continue to workday and night to provide the public with reliable information. As Vice Prime Minister, in coordination with SECOMS, we will continue to support media professionals,” he said.

The Vice Prime Minister also encouraged the Timor-Leste Press Council to strengthen coordination with media outlets and to promote further training initiatives for journalists, considering technological changes and the challenges of the digital environment.

During the forum, it was emphasised that the media plays a role in promoting public debate, freedom of expression, and critical thinking, thereby contributing to the consolidation of democracy and to the public’s access to factual and credible information.

The recommendations presented at the conference included strengthening press freedom and freedom of expression, promoting ethical and investigative journalism, combating misinformation and sensationalism, and developing guidelines for peace journalism in Timor-Leste.

The participants also called for the continuation of training programmes for national journalists, through cooperation among the Press Council, state institutions, international organisations, development partners, and professional associations.

Organised by the Timor-Leste Press Council, the Dili Dialogue Forum has been held since 2017 as a platform for sharing experiences on the challenges and development of Timor-Leste’s media sector and the broader Southeast Asian media landscape.

The eighth edition of the forum brought together representatives from media outlets, journalists, editors, university students, members of the Press Council, representatives of international organisations, and other national and international entities.

The Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice, Virgílio da Silva Guterres “Lamukan,” opened the conference, which featured presentations by national and international guests on the media’s role in promoting peace, human rights, and democracy

The Forensic Criminal Investigation Police (PCIC – acronym in Portuguese) celebrated its 12th anniversary today, May 14^th, 2026, at a ceremony presided over by Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, highlighting the institution’s role in combating organised and transnational crime and in strengthening the justice sector in Timor-Leste. 

In his remarks, the Prime Minister emphasised that the work carried out by the PCIC contributes not only to strengthening the institution but also to consolidating the rule of law and the justice sector.

“By carrying out their duties with professionalism, dedication, and impartiality, they are not only helping to strengthen the PCIC but also to consolidate the justice sector,” he said.

The Head of Government also emphasised that “the Scientific and Criminal Investigation Police, together with other police forces and criminal investigation agencies, as well as judicial authorities, therefore, play a decisive role in establishing the rule of law and consolidating its institutions.”

During his speech, the Prime Minister looked back on the country’s journey since the restoration of independence and called for reflection on the current state-building challenges.

“From the ashes, we have built a peaceful and stable country; we have established public institutions and organised a free and democratic society in which every citizen has the opportunity to participate in and contribute to the building of the state,” he said.

The Prime Minister also noted that judicial reform remains a priority for the 9th Constitutional Government, with an emphasis on training personnel and strengthening institutions.

“Judicial reform is one of the priorities of the 9th Constitutional Government, which has been investing, in particular, in training personnel for the sector,” he said.

At the ceremony, the National Director of the PCIC, Vicente Fernandes e Brito, provided an overview of the agency’s operations, highlighting efforts to combat cybercrime, computer fraud, money laundering, and transnational crime.

Among the results presented were the recovery of US$42 million linked to cyber fraud, the dismantling of a fraud ring in Oe-Cússe, and operations addressing crimes involving the theft of bank card data from ATMs and cyberattacks targeting the public administration.

The National Director of the PCIC stated that Timor-Leste “is not, and never will be, a safe haven for transnational impunity,” highlighting the work carried out in cooperation with national institutions and international partners.

During the ceremony, the new PCIC institutional website was also unveiled. It is available in Portuguese, Tetum, and English and features an anonymous crime-reporting service. The platform was developed with support from the Australian Federal Police through the Timor-Leste Police Development Program (TLPDP).

On May 14^th, 2026, Agio Pereira, Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and the lead negotiator in the Greater Sunrise discussions, met at the Government Palace in Dili with Paul Sullivan, Senior Vice President of Woodside Energy for the development of the Greater Sunrise field, accompanied by Woodside’s Country Manager in Timor-Leste, António dos Santos. 

The meeting aimed to review the status of the Greater Sunrise project and to strengthen coordination between the Government and Woodside on the ongoing technical, commercial, and regulatory negotiations.

During the meeting, participants discussed recent progress in the negotiations and developments towards an integrated development model that links field operations to onshore processing infrastructure.

Minister Agio Pereira emphasised the national importance of Greater Sunrise to Timor-Leste, highlighting its links to national sovereignty, the development of the South Coast, and the creation of a sustainable economic foundation for future generations.

During the meeting, the next steps were discussed, including site visits to the South Coast and the Beaço area, as well as further meetings with the Prime Minister and relevant authorities to advance the negotiations.

Woodside, an Australian energy company, is a member of the Greater Sunrise field development consortium (Sunrise Joint Venture), holding a 33.44% stake alongside TIMOR GAP (56.6%) and Osaka Gas Australia (10%).

The Sunrise and Troubadour natural gas and condensate fields, collectively known as the Greater Sunrise fields, lie approximately 150 kilometres southeast of Timor-Leste and 450 kilometres northwest of Darwin in Australia’s Northern Territory.

An independent feasibility study conducted in 2024 confirmed the project’s viability in Timor-Leste and its potential contribution to the national economy.

The development of Greater Sunrise, including the pipeline connection to the south coast, aligns with the national priorities for economic growth and development set by the 9th Government.

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The 22nd edition of the “Government Page” TV show will feature an important discussion on the economic future of Timor-Leste, bringing together international and national perspectives on resilience, diversification, and sustainable development. The TV Show will include the Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), André Roncaglia, and the Governor of the Central Bank of Timor-Leste (BCTL), Hélder Lopes, who will analyse the impact of global economic challenges on small economies and the strategies needed to strengthen Timor-Leste’s long-term stability. 

During the interview, the guests will discuss key issues, including inflation, the role of the Petroleum Fund, private-sector development, investment in human capital and infrastructure, and opportunities in agriculture, ecotourism, and digital services. The discussion will also aim to highlight the importance of sound fiscal policy, financial regulation, and economic diversification in building a more resilient and sustainable economy for future generations.

This programme is sponsored by the Office of the Government Spokesperson, under the authority of Agio Pereira, Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, and is produced in partnership with RTTL and the national media. Hosted by Nélia Chaves, with Ika Moniz as executive producer, the “Government Page” TV show serves as a platform for institutional communication focused on the public interest, aiming to ensure the public’s access to the Government’s key actions and decisions.

The Government invites all citizens to tune in to the latest episode of the “Government Page” TV show on Wednesday, May 15^th, 2026, at 8:00 p.m., on RTTL and the media’s official social media channels.

 

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On May 12^th, 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.