Meeting of the Council of Ministers on January 7th 2026
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 January 7th 2026
The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace in Dili and approved a draft Decree-Law, presented by the Minister of the Interior, Francisco da Costa Guterres, for the First Amendment to Decree-Law No. 73/2023. The amendment introduces specific adjustments to the organisation of the Ministry of the Interior, with a view to optimising the effectiveness and efficiency in the pursuit of its duties. The functional reorganisation focuses on redistributing responsibilities among national directorates, eliminating redundancies and promoting operational synergies through the reconfiguration of existing structures.
The main measures include transforming the National Directorate for Administration and Planning into the National Directorate for Administration, Archives and Training; reconfiguring the National Directorate for Logistics, Asset Management and Archives into the National Directorate for Logistics and Asset Management; adjusting the responsibilities of the National Directorate for Human Resources; and clarifying the role of the Legal Support and Advisory Office and the Security Office.
This change represents an organisational optimisation with minimal budgetary impact, contributing to greater functional clarity, enhanced coordination between services, and potential reductions in operating costs. The measure aligns with the Programme of the 9th Constitutional Government, reaffirming the commitment to the continuous improvement of the functioning of State security institutions.
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The draft Decree-Law, also presented by the Minister of the Interior, concerning the first amendment to the Decree-Law establishing the Organic Law of the Migration Service (SM), was also approved. This amendment consolidates the modernisation and strengthens the operational efficiency of migration management in Timor-Leste. This first amendment makes important structural adjustments to the organisation of migration services, focusing on three main areas: centralising the coordination of support services, strengthening legal and institutional capacities, and eliminating organisational redundancies.
The amendment introduces a General Coordinator of Support Services, responsible for the integrated coordination of support offices, centralises and specialises the legal structure by transforming it into the National Directorate of Legal Services, Asylum and Refugees, and eliminates territorial delegations, concentrating all operational activity at border posts. This change represents a further step in the ongoing modernisation of the border sector, consolidating a more efficient, agile, and specialised migration system. Implementing this new organisational structure will enable the Migration Service to respond more effectively to contemporary challenges of international mobility while maintaining high standards of professionalism and compliance with international border management standards.
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The Council of Ministers also approved the Government's draft Resolution, also presented by the Minister of the Interior, on the 2011–2040 Strategic Plan for Internal Security.
This plan sets out the long-term strategic framework for the actions of the Ministry of the Interior and the other components of the Internal Security System, reflecting the 9th Constitutional Government’s commitment to promoting an environment of peace, stability, and security as essential conditions for the sustainable socio-economic development of Timor-Leste. The document responds to the need to update and realign the previous strategic plan, taking into account evolving internal security challenges and lessons learned in the meantime.
The Internal Security Strategic Plan 2011–2040 is grounded in a vision of the future in which citizens live in peace, free from fear and embedded in a safe and progressive community environment. To achieve this vision, it sets out a clear mission for the Ministry of the Interior, focused on the planning, coordination, implementation, and evaluation of internal security policies, guided by principles such as respect for constitutional values, prevention, impartiality, inclusiveness, institutional coordination and the link between security and development.
Structured in phases, the plan is organised into three strategic periods — 2026-2030, 2031-2035, and 2036-2040 — and is based on four cross-cutting pillars: improving service conditions, enhancing the quality-of-service delivery, consolidating the legal framework, and strengthening partnerships with the community and with national and international partners. These pillars underpin the development of institutional
capacities within the Ministry of the Interior, including the National Police of Timor-Leste, the Migration Service, the Civil Protection Authority, and other relevant structures in the field of internal security.
The plan also recognises the close relationship between security and development, integrating responses to challenges such as transnational crime, natural disaster risks and socio-economic factors that influence social stability. In this context, it strengthens bilateral and multilateral cooperation, aligning with regional and international commitments, particularly within the framework of ASEAN, g7+ and the Sustainable Development Goals, with a particular focus on SDG 16.
The implementation of the 2011–2040 Internal Security Strategic Plan will be led and coordinated by the Government member responsible for internal security, in conjunction with other ministries, sovereign bodies, local authorities, international partners, civil society and communities, and will be subject to regular monitoring and evaluation. With this decision, the Government provides the country with a clear and comprehensive guiding instrument to strengthen internal security and contribute to a more secure, stable, and prosperous Timor-Leste.
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Also, on the proposal of the Minister of the Interior, the Government's draft resolution appointing the Chief Superintendent of the National Police of Timor-Leste, Natércia Eufrásia Soares Martins, to the position of Executive Director of the Migration Service, on secondment, for a period of three years, renewable once for the same period, as she has the technical skills, aptitude and professional experience required for the role.
Given the contemporary challenges in migration control, including increased human mobility, emerging cybersecurity and transnational terrorism concerns, and the need to promote a favourable environment for tourism, investment and sustainable economic development, the Government considers it advantageous to appoint a police officer from the National Police of Timor-Leste with sufficient experience and command to head the Migration Service.
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At the proposal of the Minister of Finance, Santina José Rodrigues F. Viegas Cardoso, the Council of Ministers decided to appoint Nicodemos dos Reis Pereira as Commissioner of the Tax Authority for a period of four years, recognising his technical capacity and proven professional experience.
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At the proposal of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Bendito dos Santos Freitas, the Council of Ministers decided to propose Elisa Maria da Silva for the position of Ambassador of Timor-Leste to ASEAN.
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The Council of Ministers analysed the presentation by the Minister of Transport and Communications, Miguel Marques Gonçalves Manetelu, on the certification process for Rota do Sândalo International Airport in Oe-Cússe and FALINTIL Commander-in-Chief Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão International Airport in Suai. This certification process aims to strengthen the safety and efficiency of air traffic operations at these airports, ensuring adequate conditions for the regular operation of passenger flights in accordance with the international standards of the International Civil Aviation Organisation and applicable national regulations.
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The Minister of Transport and Communications also gave a presentation to the Council of Ministers on his participation in the 6th Meeting of ASEAN Digital Ministers and related meetings, which will take place in Hanoi from January 13th to 16th, 2026. This meeting is ASEAN's highest-level digital cooperation forum and is held annually to define strategic guidelines, promote common policies, and strengthen regional and international cooperation in digital transformation and the digital economy.
The meeting will be held under the theme “ASEAN in Adaptation: From Infrastructure Connectivity to Smart Connectivity” and will focus on the transition to smart connectivity models, with an emphasis on data, artificial intelligence, innovation, digital governance, digital skills development, and the digital sector’s contribution to the region’s sustainable socio-economic development. The agenda includes senior officials' meetings, ministerial meetings with dialogue partners, thematic sessions, and side events, as well as the presentation of the ASEAN Digital Master Plan 2026–2030 and the ASEAN Digital Awards.
Timor-Leste's participation is particularly significant, marking the country's first appearance at this forum as a full ASEAN member, strengthening its involvement in regional digital cooperation processes, and enabling it to closely monitor emerging priorities and trends in digital transformation at the regional and global levels.
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The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Bendito dos Santos Freitas, presented to the Council of Ministers an outline of the activities planned for Timor-Leste's Presidency of the Community of Portuguese-speaking Countries (CPLP – acronym in Portuguese), following the decision by the CPLP Heads of State and Government to suspend the Republic of Guinea-Bissau's participation in all the organisation's activities until constitutional order is restored, and to appoint the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste to exercise the pro tempore presidency of the organisation.
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The Vice Minister for ASEAN Affairs, Milena Maria da Costa Rangel, gave a presentation to the Council of Ministers on scenarios and strategic considerations for Timor-Leste's ASEAN Presidency.
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The Minister of Public Works, Samuel Marçal, presented to the Council of Ministers a status report on the main results achieved in infrastructure development. Of the 260 planned rural road projects, 45 have been completed, and 215 are scheduled for 2026. Regarding urban, national, and municipal roads, 27 projects have been completed, with another 160 planned for implementation in 2026.
Regarding bridges, of the 17 planned projects, one was completed in 2025 and twelve are scheduled for completion in 2026. In the water and sanitation sector, one project has been completed and twelve are expected to be completed in 2026. In the electricity sector, 15 projects have been completed, with a further 49 planned for 2026.
Thirty-nine emergency projects were also completed in 2025, with 228 scheduled for completion in 2026. Lastly, regarding public buildings and gardens, five projects were implemented, with a further 21 planned for implementation throughout 2026.
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Lastly, the Council of Ministers approved the draft Government Resolution, presented by the Minister of Social Solidarity and Inclusion, Verónica das Dores, to terminate the appointment of Arlindo Pinto as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Social Security Institute and, by extension, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Social Security Reserve Fund. The Government Resolution also stipulates that, until the appointment and inauguration of the new Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Social Security Institute, Ms Solange de Fátima Borges, acting member, shall perform the duties of Chairman of the Board of Directors on a temporary basis, ensuring the continuity of public service. END
