Prime Minister concludes a series of visits to municipalities with a visit to Viqueque as part of local government preparations

On March 27th and 28th, 2026, Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão made a working visit to the municipality of Viqueque, marking the conclusion of his nationwide tour of municipalities as part of preparations for the administrative decentralisation and local government policy scheduled for 2027. 658479966 818386664650997 5657295087351913149 n 300x188 Prime Minister concludes a series of visits to municipalities with a visit to Viqueque as part of local government preparations 657280152 818412244648439 7683406887156924974 n 300x185 Prime Minister concludes a series of visits to municipalities with a visit to Viqueque as part of local government preparations 657318802 818431361313194 3322958165939498553 n 300x188 Prime Minister concludes a series of visits to municipalities with a visit to Viqueque as part of local government preparations 657515342 818431637979833 1462120098808170684 n 300x200 Prime Minister concludes a series of visits to municipalities with a visit to Viqueque as part of local government preparations 657549371 818388201317510 3383238222431387778 n 300x202 Prime Minister concludes a series of visits to municipalities with a visit to Viqueque as part of local government preparations 656740957 818384971317833 2718464344863797894 n 300x195 Prime Minister concludes a series of visits to municipalities with a visit to Viqueque as part of local government preparations 658132485 818388321317498 6964412378070078189 n 300x190 Prime Minister concludes a series of visits to municipalities with a visit to Viqueque as part of local government preparations

The visit was part of the programme “Direct Observation of Municipal Services Based on the Results of the Assessment of Minimum Standards,” designed to evaluate the functioning of municipal services and the institutional capacity of local governments to assume new responsibilities within the framework of decentralisation.

During the visit, the Prime Minister participated in a dialogue session with local officials, municipal staff, civil society representatives, and members of the public. At the session, the results of the Minimum Standards Assessment were presented, and areas needing improvement were identified, particularly in financial management, planning, coordination, and oversight.

At the meeting, the Head of the Government stressed the importance of maintaining peace and stability as essential for local development and the successful realisation of the decentralisation process. He also urged the involvement of communities, especially young people, in devising solutions for the municipality.

The Head of the Government was accompanied by several members of the Executive, including the Minister of State Administration—who is directly responsible for promoting and overseeing administrative decentralisation and the establishment of local government bodies and services—as well as the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces.

This visit marks the conclusion of the three-phase series of visits to municipalities undertaken by the Prime Minister since February 2026, as part of the institutional preparations for implementing local government, in accordance with Law No. 3/2016 of September 14th, on Local Government and Administrative Decentralisation.

The Government is continuing the technical and institutional work necessary to establish the conditions for transferring powers from the central to the local level, to promote the public’s direct participation in governance and development.

url: https://timor-leste.gov.tl?lang=en&p=48128