The IX Constitutional Government, represented by the Minister of Defense, Donaciano Costa Gomes ‘Pedro Klamar Fuik’, and several members of the Executive, took part in the ceremony to commemorate the 24th anniversary of the transformation of FALINTIL into FALINTIL-Forças de Defesa de Timor-Leste (F-FDTL), which took place on February 2nd. The event took place at the F-FDTL Headquarters in Dili, under the theme “Evolution and ability to adapt to the new situation”, which emphasizes the process of modernization and professionalization of the national armed forces. 
The ceremony included speeches by the President of the Republic and Supreme Commander of the F-FDTL, José Ramos-Horta, and the Chief of Staff of the F-FDTL, Lieutenant General Domingos Raúl ‘Falur Rate Laek’. The event also brought together the President of the Court of Appeal, Deolindo dos Santos, members of the National Parliament, former government members, representatives of State bodies, the diplomatic corps and foreign military delegations, including the Chief of Staff of the Portuguese Armed Forces, General José Nunes da Fonseca, and senior representatives of Australia’s defense forces. 
During the ceremony, F-FDTL members were promoted, in accordance with the orders issued by the Chief of General Staff of the F-FDTL.
In his speech, the President of the Republic paid tribute to the “National Heroes, especially
to the Commander-in-Chief of FALINTIL, and current Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão”, as well as the current and former Chiefs of General Staff, ‘for their visionary leadership and tireless dedication to building and consolidating our military institution’. 
He also expressed his gratitude “to all military, national and international, to our development partners in the defense sector and to friendly countries,” “who throughout this journey have contributed financial support and resources to the successful building of the military institution that we celebrate today.” 
To overcome today’s challenges, President Ramos-Horta defended the need to “invest strategically in technical training, self-sufficiency and technological modernization, ensuring that our armed forces become increasingly sustainable and efficient, despite the limitations we face.” The Head of State also stressed the importance of “strengthening regional cooperation” to confront transnational threats.
The Chief of Staff of the F-FDTL, Lieutenant General Domingos Raúl “Falur Rate Laek”, recalled FALINTIL’s historic role in the struggle for independence and the need to continue to evolve to face today’s challenges. “Today, as we celebrate this day, we remember and pay tribute to all the former FALINTIL combatants, who gave everything so that today we can become free and independent people. We also pay tribute to all the soldiers who have been part of the FALINTIL-FDTL since the beginning, as officers, sergeants and soldiers, contributing a great deal with their experience and sacrifice over the years, for example, dedication to their homeland, self-sacrifice, courage, a deep sense of mission and of the objectives to be achieved, they have contributed decisively to the consolidation and development of the F-FDTL, but above all they have contributed to guaranteeing national security, tranquility and stability”, he said. He also argued that “it is our duty to honor and perpetuate the national values and the FALINTIL values that have been passed down to us. 
The celebrations also included a thanksgiving mass held in the Chapel of the Comandante Nicolau Lobato Instruction Centre in Metinaro, and a seminar with the theme “24 years after the transformation of the FALINTL-FDTL, which should be a priority in view of the country’s reality and the new security challenges, especially at regional level”.
On the eve of the ceremony, the Minister of Defense met with the Chief of Staff of the Portuguese Armed Forces, General José Nunes da Fonseca, to discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation in the defense sector, particularly in support of military training and the development of the F-FDTL’s technical and operational capacities. 
