From May 26th to 28th, 2026, Vice Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for Social Affairs, and Minister of Rural Development and Community Housing, Mariano Assanami Sabino, attended the 2026 Global Forum on Poverty Reduction and Development (GPPAD) in Beijing, People’s Republic of China, where he advocated strengthening international cooperation to combat poverty, promote food security, and support sustainable development. 
The forum brought together representatives from some 60 countries and international organisations to discuss strategies for cooperation to combat poverty, promote rural development, ensure food security, and achieve sustainable growth. During his remarks, Mariano Assanami Sabino stated that poverty is a global challenge that requires joint responses and greater solidarity among countries.
“No country can tackle these challenges alone. Global solidarity and cooperation are essential to achieving inclusive and sustainable development,” he said.
The Vice Prime Minister reaffirmed Timor-Leste’s commitment to rural development, the modernisation of agriculture, the creation of opportunities for young people, the improvement of community housing conditions, and the strengthening of food security. He also highlighted the role of fisheries in promoting social inclusion and reducing poverty.
During the forum, Mariano Assanami Sabino acknowledged China’s achievements in eradicating extreme poverty and expressed Timor-Leste’s interest in deepening bilateral cooperation across areas including agricultural modernisation, irrigation systems, hybrid rice development, livestock farming, vocational training, food security, and rural infrastructure.
On the sidelines of GPPAD 2026, the Vice Prime Minister met with China’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Zhang Zhu. The meeting strengthened bilateral cooperation in agriculture, livestock, veterinary medicine, food safety, technological innovation, and sustainable rural development, and identified opportunities for technical cooperation, knowledge transfer, and institutional strengthening.
“Agriculture remains an essential pillar of economic development and the well-being of rural communities in Timor-Leste,” said Mariano Assanami Sabino.
As part of the official mission, the Timorese delegation—which also included the new Ambassador of Timor-Leste to the People’s Republic of China, Loro Horta—visited rural and agricultural development projects in China, including Pekin Wode Chenlong Biotechnology Co., Ltd. and the hamlets of Xiying and Nanshan, both recognised for their agricultural modernisation and rural revitalisation programmes.
The visits provided an opportunity to observe the application of biotechnology, smart agricultural systems, rural tourism, e-commerce, and community-based economic development mechanisms. According to the Vice Prime Minister, China’s experience offers valuable lessons for Timor-Leste, particularly in strategic planning, investment in human resources, and the promotion of tangible benefits for communities.
“Timor-Leste does not intend to copy China’s development model wholesale, but rather to learn from the principles and experiences underpinning its success, namely long-term strategic planning, investment in people, and ensuring that the benefits of development reach local communities,” he said.
During the visit, Mariano Assanami Sabino also met with East Timorese scholarship students pursuing higher education in China, in a meeting dedicated to sharing experiences and identifying the main challenges facing the student community.
Among the topics discussed, the validity of Timorese passports—currently set at five years—stood out, as students believe this could create difficulties during their studies. In response, the Vice Prime Minister assured them that the Government would examine the issue and seek solutions tailored to the needs of Timorese citizens abroad.
The Vice Prime Minister also called for unity, solidarity, and responsibility among the students and encouraged them to continue their education with discipline, a critical mindset, and a sense of commitment to the country.
“True leadership means putting the national interest first and applying the knowledge we’ve gained to serve society,” he said.
Timor-Leste’s participation in GPPAD 2026 and the activities carried out during the visit to China helped strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries and identify opportunities for cooperation in rural development, food security, human resource development, and poverty reduction.