On September 24th, 2024, the Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, handed over the certificate of Timorese citizenship to the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, during a meeting at the United Nations headquarters in New York, on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly. 
The Prime Minister expressed the honour of presenting António Guterres, on behalf of the people of Timor-Leste, with citizenship of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, in recognition of his contribution and support for the Timorese cause.
The UN Secretary-General considered it an honour and pride to be a citizen of Timor-Leste and said, “It is a sentiment that I will always carry with me”.
The award of Timorese citizenship to António Guterres was unanimously approved by the National Parliament on August 20th, during the commemorations of the 25th anniversary of the 1999 referendum, which marked the end of the Indonesian occupation and paved the way for the restoration of Timor-Leste’s independence. The granting of citizenship was in recognition of his high and relevant services to the country over several decades. As Prime Minister of Portugal between 1995 and 2002, Guterres was one of the most prominent defenders of the Timorese cause in the highest international forums, pushing for the 1999 referendum, which culminated in national independence. 
During his official visit to Timor-Leste, as part of the celebrations for the 25th anniversary of the Popular Consultation of August 30th, 1999, António Guterres was also awarded the Grand Collar of the Order of Timor-Leste, the country’s highest distinction, by the President of the Republic, José Ramos-Horta.
At the meeting in New York, held on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly, Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão and Secretary-General António Guterres discussed multilateral issues, with special emphasis on promoting democracy, human rights and sustainable development. The UN reaffirmed its commitment to continuing to support Timor-Leste’s development. 