In the eighth edition of the “Página do Governo” program, the Secretary of State for Art and Culture, Jorge Soares Cristovão, presents the progress made in the cultural sector, the challenges faced and the main priorities until the end of his mandate. During the interview, he highlighted the commitment to preserving Timorese cultural heritage, support for local artists, the creation of cultural infrastructures and preparations for the XII CPLP Sports Games. The program will be broadcast on Radio and Television of Timor-Leste (RTTL) and on social media on Friday, July 4, 2025, at 8pm. 
During the program, the Secretary of State emphasized that the priorities “that the ministerial lines define, namely those of the Secretary of State for Art and Culture, are related to the program of the IX Constitutional Government”, stressing that what “we intend to do during the five years of our mandate derives directly from the Strategic Development Plan 2011-2030”.
Referring to the safeguarding of national heritage, Jorge Soares Cristóvão highlighted the importance of Tais, which “has received international recognition as a world heritage site”, expressing his appreciation for the “joint work with all the partners, national and international, to defend our heritage”, which has made it possible to “provide training”, “build capacity”, work “together with partners”, create “groups for a network of weavers” and implement “Tais in the school curriculum”, in a “preservation strategy” that has received positive recognition from UNESCO. 
Among the main challenges for “achieving the objectives set out in the Strategic Development Plan”, the Secretary of State highlighted “the need to train our human resources”, which is already being prepared “so that, before the end of the mandate, we can implement our Regional Cultural Centres”, “our National Library” and “our National Museum”. He also highlighted the plan to “create an Academy of Arts and Music”.
As part of the support for national artistic production, he said that there are “funds to support these initiatives. That’s why we open up opportunities for artists to compete He also explained that “during these almost two years in office, we have supported groups of artists,” a total of “eighty or so groups, both in national and international activities,” as well as other “initiatives that our groups develop together with our diplomats abroad.” 
Regarding young people, he made an appeal: “If young people who want to express their talents get together in small groups and leave behind the negative things we often associate with young people, we will support them.”
The Secretary of State for Art and Culture also highlighted Timor-Leste’s first participation in the Venice Biennale, considered one of the most prestigious contemporary art exhibitions in the world, “with the participation of the artist Maria Madeira, with her work ‘Kiss and Don’t Tell’, in which she tells a little of the story of Timor-Leste’s liberation struggle. The narrator of this story talks about the participation of women in this liberation struggle.”
Regarding the XII CPLP Sports Games, which will take place in Dili from July 17 to 27, 2025, he said that, in addition to Timor-Leste, “delegations from 8 countries are coming”, more than 590 people from all delegations, including athletes and technical personnel. He also explained that “because this event includes sporting events, conferences of the Ministers of Youth and Sport of the CPLP, and there is also a CPLP youth conference.” 
At the end of the interview, Jorge Soares Cristóvão shared his vision for the remainder of his term in office, expressing the wish that “we at least have to have a National Museum. The implementation of the Academy of Arts must also be ready. At least some Regional Cultural Centres must be built. Our National Library must exist and be up and running before the end of the term.”
The “Página do Governo” program is a joint initiative of the Government Spokesperson’s Office, led by the Minister for the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Agio Pereira, RTTL, the national media and digital platforms, with the aim of strengthening government transparency and guaranteeing public access to information on the Executive’s main actions and decisions.
The program, with Nélia Chaves as presenter and Ika Moniz as executive producer, has the technical support of the communications teams of the Prime Minister’s Cabinet, the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and the Cabinet of the member of government interviewed.
The Government Spokesperson, Minister Agio Pereira, reiterated that “the “Página do Governo is an important instrument for promoting accountability and dialogue between the Executive and citizens”.
The Government invites all citizens to follow this edition of “Página do Governo”, which will be broadcast on Friday, July 4, 2025, at 8 p.m., via RTTL and social media, contributing to a more informed, participatory society committed to the development of Timor-Leste. 
To watch the previous episodes of “Página do Governo” already broadcast, click on the following links:
- Minister of Public Works, Samuel Marçal – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzgPqD0tU7c
2. Minister of State Administration, Tomás do Rosário Cabral – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSSO60y0Bjw
3. Minister for Planning and Strategic Investment, Gastão Francisco de Sousa – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hooyotfMkrk
4. Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Bendito dos Santos Freitas – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIp8kTaXUAA
5. Vice Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for Social Affairs and Minister for Rural Development and Community Housing, Mariano Assanami Sabino – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYMdrKwizLE
6. Secretary of State for Toponymy and Urban Organization, Germano Santa Brites Dias – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvQwW5JSaYo&t=24s
7. Deputy Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs and Minister for Tourism and the Environment, Francisco Kalbuady Lay – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okLlr6vGwdM