Government of Timor-Leste

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 April 8th, 2026

The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace in Dili and approved the architectural design for the new Dili Convention Centre, following a review of the architectural proposals presented by Vice Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister of Economic Affairs, Francisco Kalbuadi Lay. This landmark project is planned to host ASEAN meetings during Timor-Leste’s presidency in 2029, including the summit of Heads of State and Government, as well as other large-scale events.

The new convention centre will be constructed in the old port area, along the shore of Dili Bay. It will include a main building with conference rooms, auditoriums, and exhibition halls, as well as complementary leisure and tourism facilities, such as a pedestrian promenade along the pier, an aquarium, and an entertainment and retail zone.

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Also, at the proposal of Vice Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister of Economic Affairs Francisco Kalbuadi Lay, the Council of Ministers approved the draft Government Resolution appointing Duílio Marino Gusmão Araújo da Silva as Executive Director of the Investment and Export Promotion Agency of Timor-Leste, IP, known as TradeInvest Timor-Leste.

The appointment is based on technical competence and demonstrated qualifications for the position and is for a three-year term on a full-time basis. Duílio Marino Gusmão Araújo da Silva has been with TradeInvest Timor-Leste since 2019, serving as Deputy Director, having previously held the positions of Director of Export Promotion, Manager of Export Promotion, and Manager of External Relations and Marketing.

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The Council of Ministers also approved the draft Government Resolution, presented by the Minister of State Administration, Tomás do Rosário Cabral, concerning the Government’s general policy guidelines on the administrative division of the territory and the recognition of villages (sucos) and hamlets (aldeias).

The primary objective of this Government Resolution is to ensure the stability of the territory's administrative division, to guarantee territorial cohesion, the ongoing provision of public services to the population, and proper preparation for the 2027 presidential election.

Accordingly, the Government has decided not to establish new Administrative Posts or recognise new villages, given the potential impact that such changes could have on the organisation of the 2027 elections. The Government Resolution also stipulates that all members of each hamlet within the village must complete the Family Form to enhance mechanisms for identifying and organising local communities, as well as to ensure compliance with the guidelines of the respective village chiefs.

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Following a presentation by Vice Minister of Finance Regina de Jesus, the Council of Ministers decided to authorise the Minister of Finance to sign two grant agreements with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) for projects on Forest Restoration Capacity Development and Sustainable Management in Timor-Leste (2026–2033), and the Integrated Program on Nutrition and Food Security, School Feeding, Food Fortification, and School Infrastructure (2026–2030).

The forest restoration project, with an estimated grant of around US$6 million and a duration of six years, covers the municipalities of Baucau and Manatuto. It aims to strengthen efforts to prevent environmental degradation and promote the recovery of forest ecosystems by modernising the national nursery centre, implementing reforestation programmes, and building capacity within public institutions and local communities. It also includes the direct involvement of technical staff and public officials, as well as active community participation in the sustainable management of forests.

The nutrition and food security programme, with funding of approximately US$7.2 million and a duration of five years, will be implemented in the municipalities of Baucau, Bobonaro, Manufahi, and Viqueque. This project aims to improve school feeding and nutrition conditions by strengthening school kitchen infrastructure and equipment, implementing management and monitoring systems, fortifying foods, and promoting supply chains based on local agricultural production. It also includes training for teachers, school staff, and communities, as well as support for the development of local agriculture to supply schools. END