Government of Timor-Leste

The 9th Constitutional Government will hold the annual meeting with Timor-Leste’s Development Partners (TLDPM) on May 25^th and 26^th, 2026, at the Ministry of Finance, under the theme “Charting a Resilient Horizon: Blue Economy, ASEAN Integration, and Coordinated Action.” The meeting will bring together members of the Government, development partners, representatives of civil society, and the private sector to analyse national strategic priorities, development challenges, and institutional coordination mechanisms. 

At the opening session, Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão stated that “Timor-Leste’s resilience [...] is not merely the result of our people’s determination. It is also the result of the friendship, solidarity, and support we have received from our partners, from the struggle for independence to the building and consolidation of the state and the nation.”

The Head of the Government noted that the meeting is taking place at a symbolic moment for the country, following the celebrations of the 24th anniversary of the Restoration of Independence. He emphasised that “this was a celebration with very special significance. We celebrated 24 years of independence, a period equivalent to the duration of the struggle for independence.” He added that “this historic date is proof that a nation, even a small one, can achieve great victories when it fights with courage, awareness, national unity, and love for the homeland.”

During the TLDPM’s presentation, the Prime Minister emphasised the need to strengthen coordination between the Government and international partners, arguing that “these partnerships will only realise their full potential if they are based on a clear alignment between national priorities, funding, implementation strategies, and robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.”

The meeting’s agenda is divided between the plenary session on the morning of the first day and sector-specific interministerial sessions focused on key national development priorities. On the morning of the first day, the agenda includes presentations on the Policy and Action Plan for the Promotion of a Resilient and Sustainable Blue Economy, the monitoring report on the 2011-2030 Strategic Development Plan, Timor-Leste’s integration into ASEAN, and public administration reform. In the afternoon, discussions will focus on institutional and economic development, including strategic public policies, government coordination, and national economic priorities. On the second day, discussions will continue with sessions dedicated to infrastructure and social capital development.

Within the scope of the Blue Economy, the Prime Minister emphasised that “the 9th Constitutional Government has adopted a clear strategic vision: to transform our sea—which is central to our identity, economy, and geopolitics—into a source of sustainable development, social inclusion, and environmental resilience.” He added that “for Timor-Leste, the Blue Economy is not only a strategy for survival but also for development and climate resilience.”

Regarding the Strategic Development Plan (SDP), Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão stated that he views the document “not as a government plan, but as a collective legacy of the nation,” and argued for the need to “accelerate its implementation and translate progress into measurable results in people’s lives.”

Timor-Leste’s full integration into ASEAN is also a key topic of the meeting. The Prime Minister stated that joining the regional organisation “marks yet another historic milestone in our 24-year journey as an independent state” and added that “being part of ASEAN is, in itself, a constant exercise in commitment, responsibility, and coordinated action.”

In closing his remarks, the Prime Minister called for strengthened cooperation with partners, stating that “we will make history together, once again,” “prove to the world, once again, that our resilience overcomes our weaknesses, and that our coordinated action overcomes any obstacles to sustainable development.”