……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Press Release
Meeting of the Council of Ministers on April 15th, 2026
The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace in Dili and approved the draft government resolution, presented by Vice Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister of Economic Affairs, Tourism, and the Environment Francisco Kalbuadi Lay, regarding the establishment of the Interministerial Committee to Oversee the Construction Project for the International Convention Centre.
This Government Resolution establishes an inter-ministerial coordination mechanism to ensure ongoing oversight of the construction project for the International Convention Centre, which is recognised as a key initiative for economic development, tourism promotion, and the urban revitalisation of Dili.
The resolution establishes a technical and advisory committee, organised into two working groups. One working group is responsible for project development, including technical supervision of construction work, quality control, and verification of construction specifications, while the second working group ensures inter-ministerial coordination at the supervisory level, with the participation of representatives from various relevant ministries and public entities.
The main responsibilities assigned to this committee include overseeing the various phases of the project, coordinating among the entities involved, monitoring deadlines, costs, and financial risks, and identifying any potential constraints and proposing corrective measures. The committee is also expected to prepare periodic reports and hold regular meetings to assess the project’s progress.
The Vice Prime Minister is responsible for the overall coordination of the committee, with technical, administrative, and logistical support from his office to ensure effective oversight and consistent implementation of this strategic project.
****
The draft Decree-Law, submitted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Bendito dos Santos Freitas, for the first amendment to Decree-Law No. 48/2023 of August 23rd, regarding the Organic Law of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation (MNEC – acronym in Portuguese), was also approved.
This amendment aims to align the Ministry’s organisational structure with the second amendment to the composition of the 9th Constitutional Government, which is already in force and includes the position of Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation.
The decree further stipulates that the Secretary-General of the MNEC, who is responsible for managing, coordinating, and supervising the technical, administrative, and financial support for all of the Ministry’s departments, is appointed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation from among diplomatic officials holding the rank of ambassador or, alternatively, of counsellor, with relevant professional and diplomatic experience in the Ministry’s central and peripheral foreign services.
****
The Minister of Health, Elia A. A. dos Reis Amaral, delivered a presentation to the Council of Ministers on preparations for the 79th session of the World Health Organisation’s Regional Committee for Southeast Asia (WHO-SEARO), which Timor-Leste will host in 2026.
Timor-Leste has been a Member State of the World Health Organisation since 2002 and a member of WHO-SEARO since 2003. In 2015, it hosted the 69th Regional Committee meeting. Building on this trajectory, Timor-Leste will once again host this high-level meeting, which will take place in Dili from September 7th to 9th, 2026.
The meeting, attended by health ministers and senior officials from the region’s member states, serves as an important forum for dialogue and coordination on health sector priorities and policies, strengthening regional cooperation and improving health systems and the response to common challenges.
****
The Minister of Health also gave a presentation to the Council of Ministers on the ASEAN Health Unit. The unit aims to ensure coordination between the national health system and ASEAN cooperation mechanisms, as well as inter-ministerial coordination and national participation in regional health structures.
Among the main initiatives are strengthening the capacity to respond to public health emergencies, through the creation of emergency medical teams and a national operations centre, as well as strengthening surveillance and data management systems.
****
The Minister of Health presented an update to the Council of Ministers on the activities of the Public Health and Food Safety Laboratory at the National Institute of Health of Timor-Leste, with a focus on water, food, and beverage quality control.
The laboratory collects and analyses samples, conducts monitoring, and responds to public health outbreaks in coordination with national agencies and partners.
The need to strengthen institutional coordination and avoid duplication of effort was also emphasised, with a view to bolstering the national capacity for health surveillance and public health protection.
****
The Council of Ministers approved the draft Decree-Law, presented by the Minister of Health, Elia A. A. dos Reis Amaral, which sets the fees to be charged for laboratory tests conducted in the laboratories of National Health Service institutions.
The main purpose of this Decree-Law is to update the fee structure for laboratory tests, whose current rates had not been revised for more than 15 years, and to establish a clear legal basis for applying these fees. The revision reflects the evolution of the system, which has expanded from approximately 38 test types to more than 150 currently available.
Among the main measures approved, it is stipulated that fees apply only to patients who are not covered by the National Health Service or who are referred by private facilities. The law also stipulates that the fees charged must reflect the actual direct and indirect costs of the services provided, and sets out billing rules, including full payment before the performance of tests and the release of results upon proof of payment.
****
The Council of Ministers approved the draft Government Resolution, presented by Finance Minister Santina José Rodrigues F. Viegas Cardoso, regarding a donation of US$631,478.11 to Noble Timor to settle outstanding debts associated with the organisation of previous editions of the Tour de Timor (2012), the Dili Marathon (2018), and the Suai Extreme (2018).
The primary objective of this decision is to settle financial obligations arising from the organisation of these sporting events, which are recognised for their public interest and their contribution to the promotion of sport, tourism, and the international image of Timor-Leste.
This Government Resolution authorises the allocation of a grant to the organising entity to settle the identified debts and requires confirmation, following their settlement, that no other outstanding liabilities remain. The Government Resolution further directs the Minister of Finance to ensure that the necessary procedures are carried out to implement this measure.
****
Amid the proposals presented by the Minister of Trade and Industry, Filipus Nino Pereira, the Council of Ministers decided to adopt the theme “Deepening Economic and Trade Cooperation within the CPLP: Opportunities and Challenges” for the Meeting of Trade Ministers of the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP – acronym in Portuguese), to be held in Dili in June 2026.
****
The Council of Ministers approved the draft Government Resolution, presented by Vice Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister of Economic Affairs Francisco Kalbuadi Lay, establishing the formation and responsibilities of the negotiating team for Timor-Leste’s accession to the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) Government Procurement Agreement (GPA).
The purpose of this Government Resolution is to ensure a coordinated and technically sound response to Timor-Leste’s commitment in connection with its accession to the WTO by establishing an interministerial structure responsible for leading the GPA accession negotiation process. This agreement promotes transparency, fair competition, and non-discrimination in public procurement.
The newly established Negotiation Team comprises representatives from various ministries and public agencies, ensuring a coordinated approach across the public administration. The structure is led by a Chief Negotiator, responsible for conducting the negotiations—a role held by the Vice Prime Minister, in his capacity as the Government member responsible for the Coordination of Economic Affairs, or a representative designated by him. The representative must possess extensive, proven technical expertise in public procurement and international trade, and be supported by a dedicated technical coordination team. The team is responsible for preparing the negotiation strategy, analysing the impact of accession on the national legal and institutional framework, drafting the market access offer, and ensuring coordination with public entities, the private sector, and other relevant partners.
****
Amid the proposals presented by the Minister of State Administration, Tomás do Rosário Cabral, the Council of Ministers decided to adopt the theme “Together, we will build a homeland increasingly fair, inclusive, and resilient” for the official ceremonies marking the 24th anniversary of the Restoration of Timor-Leste’s Independence, which falls on May 20th. END