The National Seminar for the 25th anniversary of the National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL), which will be celebrated on March 27^th, was held today, March 11^th, 2025, in the Auditorium of the Police Training Center, under the theme “Together We Strengthen Trust”. Representing the Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, the Minister for the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Agio Pereira, was one of the speakers at the event, presenting the government’s vision of the PNTL’s evolution over its 25 years of existence. 

In his speech, Minister Agio Pereira highlighted the importance of the population’s trust in the PNTL, stressing that this factor is “crucial” for the National Police of Timor-Leste “to be able to serve the nation and the common good” and that “without this trust, the PNTL can lose legitimacy in the use of force”.

Remembering the institution’s journey, he said that the institution, with its leadership, had managed to withstand particularly difficult times. “The PNTL hierarchy, with political support, remained determined, without giving up, to continue consolidating this institution,” he added. He also stressed that “today, the PNTL is respected by all and recognized as the force that ensures law and order, allowing the people to sleep soundly”. 

The Minister also stressed that “the Government believes that the most valuable resource of any institution, especially the PNTL, is its human resources”, underlining the need for continuous investment in training agents. “The government is making every effort to ensure that the PNTL has highly qualified professionals with the capacity to intervene in the community, with management skills and the ability to understand politics. The PNTL must understand politics, but without exercising it – this is a fundamental principle,” he said.

The National Seminar included a welcome speech by the Commander-General, Commissary-General Henrique da Costa, and opening and closing remarks by the Minister of Interior, Francisco da Costa Guterres. 

The Head of State, José Ramos-Horta, presented the Presidency of the Republic’s perspective on the PNTL’s 25-year journey, while the Vice-Minister for ASEAN Affairs, Milena Maria da Costa Rangel, discussed Timor-Leste membership of ASEAN from a security perspective. The United Nations Resident Coordinator in Timor-Leste, Funmi Balogun, shared the organization’s vision of the PNTL’s evolution over the last two and a half decades. 

The closing session was attended by the Minister of Interior, Francisco da Costa Guterres, who reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to strengthening the PNTL’s capabilities and public security in the country.