Meeting of the Council of Ministers on 10th September 2025
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 10th September 2025
The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace in Dili and approved the draft Decree-Law presented by the Minister of Justice, Sérgio de Jesus Fernandes da Costa Hornai, which aims to establish the legal framework for the management and use of public and private real estate owned by the State.
The law clearly defines the distinction between public and private state property, setting out rules for its use, administration, and possible disposal. It introduces mechanisms that enhance transparency, competition, and good governance, ensuring that these assets, which belong to all citizens, are managed more efficiently. Key measures include the creation of updated inventories, the requirement for compensation for private use, and the subjection of property sales to prior government authorization, to prevent practices that could harm the public interest and ensure rigorous and sustainable management of state assets.
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Two draft decree-laws presented by the Minister of State Administration, Tomás do Rosário Cabral, were also approved for:
- First amendment to Decree-Law No. 84/2023 of November 23rd, and sixth amendment to Decree-Law No. 3/2016 of March 16th, on the Statute of Municipal Authorities and the Interministerial Technical Group for Administrative Decentralization. The law introduces adjustments to the legal regime in force, namely, clarify the regulation and delegation of powers, give greater flexibility to the exercise of management functions in situations of substitution, review the list of municipal services, and to ensure greater stability and rationality in the functioning of the Technical Support Offices. At the same time, several outdated provisions of Articles 7 to 18 of the Statute of Municipal Authorities are being repealed, as well as provisions of Decree-Law No. 84/2023, with the aim of containing the increase in expenditure related to the implementation of the decentralization process.
- First amendment to Decree-Law No. 3/2017, of March 22nd, which approved the Limited Duration Parking Zone Regime. The purpose of this regulatory amendment is to clarify the territorial scope of application of the law, strengthen the role of Municipal Authorities, the Administrative Authority of Ataúro, and the Special Administrative Region of Oe -Cusse Ambeno in the management and supervision of limited duration parking zones, as well as to establish more flexible parameters regarding the amounts and periods of parking fee collection.
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The draft Decree-Law presented by the Minister of Health, Elia A. A. dos Reis Amaral, was also approved. It aims to establish the Extraordinary Promotion Regime for Staff Integrated into Health Professionals’ Careers in Public Administration.
The diploma aims to strengthen the motivation and appreciation of these professionals' careers, while also contributing to the improved functioning of public health services by addressing the lack of regular promotion processes in the sector.
This extraordinary promotion scheme covers doctors, nurses, midwives, and diagnostic, therapeutic, and public health technicians, allowing them to progress to the next higher category through a points system. The classification results from the sum of points awarded for objective criteria, such as length of service, performance evaluation, service in remote areas, training, attendance, and good behavior.
The diploma also provides for the creation of an automatic promotion route based on professional recognition for nurses in the Basic Nurse category, who will move to the Junior General Nurse B category after completing specific training, to be approved by order of the member of the Government responsible for health.
The number of vacancies to be filled will be determined by Government Resolution, based on a proposal from the Civil Service Commission.
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The Council of Ministers decided to authorize the purchase and transport of fireworks for the official celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the Proclamation of National Independence, which will be celebrated on November 28th.
The decision allows the Organizing Committee for the Celebrations to purchase pyrotechnical materials, contract their transport to Timor-Leste, and stage the shows, which will be held at all Administrative Posts throughout the country. The total amount authorized for these expenses is approximately US$279,000.
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Lastly, the Council of Ministers decided to authorize the Minister of Finance to grant exemption from taxes, fees, customs duties, and other charges in connection with the construction of the Canossian Girls’ Dormitory and a Chapel in Dili, a project financed entirely by the Emirates Agency for International Aid of the United Arab Emirates. It was also decided to guarantee, on behalf of the Canossian Sisters, the payment of tax and customs charges related to the construction of the aforementioned shelter. END
