Meeting of the Council of Ministers on August 26th, 2026
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 August 26th, 2026
The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace in Dili and approved the draft government resolution to renew the term of the Steering Committee 25 (Comité Orientador 25) for another five-year period, following the expiry of its current term in January 2027.
The renewal of the mandate aims to ensure the continuity and completion of the research, analysis, and drafting of the book “History of the Youth and Student Resistance in Timor-Leste”, with Volumes I, III, and IV already completed.
The Government Resolution further stipulates that expenses and costs arising from the Committee’s activities are subject to the regulations governing the award of public grants and are covered by funds allocated in the Ministry of Education’s annual budget. Steering Committee 25 must also coordinate the implementation of its activities with the Ministry of National Liberation Veterans’ Affairs and the Chega! National Centre, IP.
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The Vice Minister for ASEAN Affairs, Milena Maria da Costa Rangel, presented the findings of the ASEAN Secretariat’s report on the implementation of the roadmap for Timor-Leste’s full membership of ASEAN to the Council of Ministers.
The report, covering progress between May 2025 and January 2026, highlights Timor-Leste’s strides in meeting the criteria set out in the Roadmap, including active participation in ASEAN meetings, the strengthening of inter-ministerial coordination mechanisms, the operation of Timor-Leste’s Permanent Mission to ASEAN, and the designation of national entities and focal points responsible for the various areas of cooperation. Between January and September 2025, Timor-Leste participated in 455 of the 504 meetings to which it was invited, corresponding to a participation rate of 90.3%.
Of the seven criteria set out in the Roadmap, five have been fully implemented, including those relating to institutional capacity, the Permanent Mission, national implementation and coordination mechanisms, visa exemptions and passport recognition, and the financial obligations arising from accession.
The process of acceding to ASEAN’s legal instruments is partially implemented, with requirements under the Political-Security and Socio-Cultural pillars already met and work continuing within the framework of the Economic Community. Preparations are also underway to develop the infrastructure and logistical capacity required for Timor-Leste’s future responsibilities within ASEAN and for the country’s presidency of the organisation in 2029.
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The Council of Ministers approved the draft Government Decree regulating the National Centre for Coordination, Assessment, and Combating Transnational Threats (CN-CAT), as provided for in the Integrated National Plan to Prevent and Combat Transnational Digital Financial Fraud Networks Supported by Online Scam Platforms (SCAM), Organised Cybercrime, and Human Trafficking, for the period 2026 to 2031.
The CN-CAT reports directly to the Prime Minister and is responsible for ensuring inter-institutional coordination, conducting integrated threat assessments, and supporting the Government’s strategic decision-making to prevent and combat transnational threats that could affect national security, digital sovereignty, economic stability, the integrity of the national financial system, or the State’s strategic interests. These threats include digital financial fraud, online scam platforms, organised cybercrime, illegal entry and stay of foreign nationals in the national territory, and human trafficking.
The Centre brings together representatives of the main agencies responsible for these areas and is coordinated by the Director-General of the National Strategic Intelligence Service, assisted by the Director of the Forensic Criminal Investigation Police. Its main functions include the ongoing assessment of threats, the preparation of strategic reports and alerts for the Prime Minister, the sharing of information among participating agencies, technical coordination and the planning of joint actions, and the monitoring of the implementation of the measures set out in the National Plan.
The activities of the CN-CAT do not alter the jurisdiction of its member entities, nor do they confer powers of criminal investigation or operational direction; furthermore, the Public Prosecutor’s Office retains control over criminal investigations.
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Following the presentation by the Secretary of State for Equality, Elvina de Sousa Carvalho, the Council of Ministers approved the draft Government Resolution adopting the official theme and slogan for the celebrations marking the 50th Anniversary of National Timorese Women’s Day. The approved theme is “Women of Timor-Leste: Celebrating 50 Years of Equality and Inclusion,” and the slogan is “We, the Women of Timor-Leste, will never give up; we will continue to fight for Equality and Inclusion.”
The celebrations aim to honour and recognise the historic contributions of Timorese women, reinforce commitment to gender equality and social inclusion, and promote women’s active participation in national development. The programme also aims to pay tribute to the many generations of women who, over the past 50 years, have contributed to Timor-Leste’s independence, peace, and development.
The programme includes an opening ceremony on November 3rd, 2026, in the Municipality of Bobonaro, honouring National Heroine Maria Tapó. It will feature cultural and sporting activities, a Mass of Thanksgiving, and community dialogue. On November 6th, the official national ceremony will take place at the Dili Convention Centre and will feature a seminar on the role of women in peacebuilding, equality, and development; exhibitions highlighting women’s contributions to the national resistance and state-building; and cultural and artistic activities. The municipalities will also hold commemorative activities.
The Secretariat of State for Equality is responsible for coordinating the celebrations and for establishing the organising committee, in collaboration with the relevant ministries, municipal authorities, civil society organisations, development partners, and other relevant entities.
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Following the proposal presented by the Minister of Public Works, Samuel Marçal, the Council of Ministers decided to ratify the authorisations for expenditure and the decision to initiate the procurement process, through a public tender, to purchase fuel for the Hera and Betano power plants.
The total estimated cost of the contract is US$428.99 million, divided into two lots: approximately US$316.31 million for the supply of about 372.5 million litres of fuel to the Hera Power Plant and approximately US$112.67 million for about 129.9 million litres of fuel to the Betano Power Plant.
The procedure aims to ensure the continuity of fuel supply from January 2027 onwards and, consequently, to guarantee the operation of the two power plants and electricity generation in the country after the current supply contracts expire in December 2026. The three-year contract also seeks to provide greater supply stability, facilitate the management of fuel reserves, and enable the negotiation of more favourable prices.
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Lastly, the Minister of State Administration, Tomás do Rosário Cabral, gave a presentation to the Council of Ministers on preparations for the ceremonies honouring and repatriating the mortal remains of D. Jaime Garcia Goulart, D. José Joaquim Ribeiro, Monsignor Martinho da Costa Lopes, and D. Alberto Ricardo da Silva.
The presentation outlined the programme of tributes, organised jointly by the Government and the Timorese Episcopal Conference, which includes the official reception of the remains in Dili on September 1st, 2026, the ceremonies in Tasi Tolu, and the subsequent transfer to their final resting places. The initiative aims to honour the spiritual, historical, and national legacy of these prelates and to recognise their contribution to the people and history of Timor-Leste. END
