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Press Release
Meeting of the Council of Ministers on April 1st, 2026
The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace in Dili and approved the draft Decree-Law, presented by Vice-Minister of Finance Regina de Jesus, regarding the dissolution of the Millennium Challenge Account – Timor-Leste, IP.
Following the decision by the Government of the United States of America to terminate the Compact Agreement—which provided for a cooperation programme in the areas of water, sanitation, and drainage, as well as education—this Decree-Law establishes the dissolution of this entity, which was created to ensure the implementation of the aforementioned programme.
The Decree-Law outlines a structured winding-down process that includes settling financial obligations, managing and disposing of assets, and returning unused funds to the Treasury. It also mandates that the Ministry of Finance prepare reports on remaining activities and resources and retain programme data for five years.
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The draft Government Resolution, presented by Minister of State Administration Tomás do Rosário Cabral, was also approved. The Government Resolution establishes the new organisational model for services, management, and leadership positions in the Oe-Cússe Ambeno Special Administrative Region.
This Government Resolution aims to ensure the implementation of the new organisational model for the services of the Oe-Cússe Ambeno Special Administrative Region, following the structural reform introduced by Decree-Law No. 1/2026 of February 2nd, in line with the model adopted for the rest of the national territorial administration.
Accordingly, the Minister of State Administration is responsible for drafting and submitting to the Council of Ministers a detailed proposal outlining the new framework for senior management and heads of regional services. This proposal should include the relevant organisational chart and a clear definition of the competency profiles required for each position, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and the Civil Service Commission. The Resolution also establishes the process for filling management and leadership roles once the proposal has been approved, and states that current incumbents will remain in their positions until the process concludes, which must happen within a maximum of 40 days.
The aim of this decision is to ensure a smooth transition without disruptions to the Region’s services, and to enhance administrative capacity, organisational clarity, and the delivery of public services to local communities.
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In accordance with Decree-Law No. 15/2024 of March 20th, the Council of Ministers has decided to authorise the expenditures and contracting of:
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The Council of Ministers approved the draft Decree-Law, presented by Vice Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister of Economic Affairs, Tourism, and the Environment Francisco Kalbuadi Lay, which amends the Organic Law of the Ministry of Tourism and the Environment, as established by Decree-Law No. 78/2023 of October 11th.
The main aim of this Decree-Law is to improve the efficiency and coherence of the State’s administrative structure by reorganising public entities and consolidating functions within ministerial frameworks, thereby removing redundancies and enhancing coordination in implementing public policies.
This Decree-Law establishes the dissolution of the National Authority for Combating Climate Change, with its responsibilities, personnel, financial resources, and assets transferred to the Ministry of Tourism and the Environment.
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The Council of Ministers approved the draft Government Resolution, presented by the Minister of State Administration, Tomás do Rosário Cabral, which establishes a maximum of US$600,000 for expenses related to the transfer of the remains of Catholic prelates who served in pastoral roles in Timor-Leste, from Portugal to the Dili Cathedral.
This decision aims to ensure the necessary conditions for the transfer to Dili Cathedral of the remains of Bishop Jaime Garcia Goulart, Bishop José Joaquim Ribeiro, Monsignor Martinho da Costa Lopes, and Bishop Alberto Ricardo da Silva, in recognition of the spiritual, historical, and national legacy of these prominent figures of the Catholic Church in Timor-Leste. The intention is therefore to allow their remains to rest alongside the people they served, who may pay them due homage there, as a gesture of recognition for the role they played and the legacy they left behind, which extends beyond the religious sphere and forms part of Timorese national identity.
The Government Resolution sets out the financial framework to cover expenses related to the relocation process, as well as the funeral and memorial ceremonies. It also states that the construction, reconstruction, repair, renovation, or maintenance work required for this process shall be undertaken by the Ministry of Public Works and the Ministry of Planning and Strategic Investment, with the option to utilise the Infrastructure Fund for funding.
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The Council of Ministers approved the resolution, presented by the Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Francisco da Costa Monteiro, regarding the authorization of expenditure and the initiation of a procurement process for the purchase of fuel, authorising an expenditure of approximately US$168.8 million for the procurement of 80 million litres of diesel, as well as a procurement process through urgent direct award.
This decision aims to ensure that a self-sufficient security reserve is established by the end of the year, in anticipation of a potential fuel shortage resulting from the prolonged conflict in the Middle East.
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Following the proposals presented by the Minister of Youth, Sports, Arts, and Culture, Nelyo Isaac Sarmento, the Council of Ministers decided to approve the theme “Preserving Cultural Heritage to Promote Identity and Citizenship”, for the 14th Meeting of Ministers of Culture of the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP – acronym in Portuguese), which Timor-Leste, in its capacity as CPLP Chair, will host and organise on May 4th and 5th, 2026.
The approved theme emphasises culture’s role in strengthening the democratic rule of law, fostering intercultural dialogue, and enhancing cultural cooperation within the Portuguese-speaking world. END