Government of Timor-Leste

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 August 7th, 2024

The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace in Dili and approved the draft Government Resolution, presented by the Vice Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for Social Affairs and Minister for Rural Development and Community Housing, Mariano Assanami Sabino, which reinforces the importance of celebrating Children's Day in Timor-Leste, with June 1st being set as the National Day of Timorese Children.

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Also approved was the draft Government Resolution, presented by the Minister for the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Agio Pereira and the Secretary of State for Equality, Elvina de Sousa Carvalho, on the establishment and functioning of the Interministerial Commission for the Implementation and Monitoring of the National Action Plan Against Gender-Based Violence (PAN-VBG) 2022-2032

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The Commission will be comprised of representatives from the Ministries of Education, State Administration, Health, Social Solidarity and Justice, as well as the National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL Portuguese acronyms) and three representatives from civil society. The Commission will be coordinated by the Presidency of the Council of Ministers. The Commission's competencies include coordinating the activities set out in the NAP-GVP, supporting evaluation initiatives, identifying progress and challenges, drawing up annual activity reports and promoting the dissemination of these reports to civil society and the public.

The creation of this Commission is intended to improve inter-ministerial coordination and the effectiveness of actions to prevent and combat gender-based violence. The measure also aims to increase protection and support for victims of violence, promote gender equality and strengthen legal and institutional mechanisms to combat discrimination and violence.

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The Council of Ministers approved the draft Resolution to the National Parliament, presented by the Vice-Minister for ASEAN Affairs, Milena Maria da Costa Rangel, for the ratification of the Agreement, under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in areas not under national jurisdiction.

The ratification of this Agreement will strengthen Timor-Leste's commitments to the protection of the marine environment and global biodiversity, promoting the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans.

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The Council of Ministers also approved the Government Resolution, presented by the Minister of Finance, Santina José Rodrigues F. Viegas Cardoso, for the creation of the Interministerial Sectoral Development Coordination Committees.

 The Interministerial Coordination Committees, created by this Government Resolution, aim to optimize and monitor development in the areas of infrastructure, economic development, social affairs and institutional strengthening in Timor-Leste. These committees aim to ensure the effectiveness of foreign aid and alignment with the National Strategic Development Plan.

With this Government Resolution, four Interministerial Coordination Committees are established, each with specific responsibilities. The Infrastructure Commission will be led by the Minister for Planning and Strategic Investment. The Economic Development Commission will be led by the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs and the Minister for Tourism and the Environment. The Social Affairs Committee will be led by the coordinating minister for Social Affairs. Lastly, the Institutional Development Commission will be led by the Minister for the Presidency of the Council of Ministers. Each committee will include representatives from various ministries and secretariats of state relevant to their areas of activity.

The responsibilities of these commissions include identifying risks, defining priority actions, coordinating technical assistance and preparing sectoral development plans. Each commission will produce quarterly activity reports, which will be submitted to the Council of Ministers. Technical and secretarial support will be provided by the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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Also approved was the draft Government Resolution, presented by the Minister of Interior, Francisco da Costa Guterres, on the rules of engagement for the joint security operation of F-FDTL and PNTL Task Force, for the visit of His Holiness Pope Francis to Timor-Leste.

This Government Resolution regulates the use of force by the F-FDTL and PNTL during the joint security operation. The use of force must comply with the principles of necessity, appropriateness and proportionality, and respect citizens' rights and guarantees. The rules of engagement are only effective after specific authorization by the Joint Task Force Command.

 The implementation of these rules aims to ensure an effective and coordinated security operation, guaranteeing protection during Pope Francis' visit, while respecting human rights and the legal norms in force. The joint operation between F-FDTL and PNTL will allow for a more robust and coordinated response to any threat to public safety.

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The Secretary of State for Vocational Training and Employment, Rogério Araújo Mendonça, made a presentation to the Council of Ministers on the autonomous institutions in this sector. END