Government of Timor-Leste

On April 10^th, 2026, Agio Pereira, Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, accompanied by Expedito Dias Ximenes, Secretary of State for Media, met with Timor-Leste’s focal points for the information sector under the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Pillar, which is led at the political level by the ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Information (AMRI). 

The meeting is held pursuant to Order No. 01/M-PCM/III/2026 of the Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, dated March 12^th, which designates the national focal points for the communication and information sector within the ASEAN context and defines their responsibilities for coordination, institutional liaison, and monitoring activities under regional mechanisms.

Among the main topics discussed were the presentation and coordination of AMRI’s structure and its focal points within its operational framework. In this context, the main working groups associated with AMRI were also discussed, particularly at the Senior Officials’ Meeting Responsible for Information (SOMRI) level and its technical subgroups, covering content development, digital broadcasting, media literacy, and combating disinformation. AMRI meets periodically at the ministerial level, with technical work prepared by SOMRI within the ASEAN institutional framework.

In addition, the key guiding documents for the sector were identified and analysed, with particular emphasis on ASEAN’s strategic plans under the Socio-Cultural Pillar, the AMRI and SOMRI framework documents, and ongoing initiatives and action plans in the field of communication and information. The importance of ensuring Timor-Leste’s institutional alignment with these instruments was also emphasised, to guarantee active, coordinated, and consistent participation in regional efforts. The AMRI mechanism is part of ASEAN’s governance structure within the Socio-Cultural Pillar and reports to the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Council and, ultimately, to the ASEAN Summit.

The team of designated focal points comprises officials and technical staff from the Office of the President of the Council of Ministers, the Secretariat of State for Media, Tatoli – the Timor-Leste News Agency, and Timor-Leste Radio and Television. It is responsible for ensuring technical coordination and inter-institutional liaison, as well as monitoring the implementation of decisions, programmes, and projects approved under ASEAN mechanisms in the field of communication and information, including regular reporting to the competent authorities on the progress of activities and commitments undertaken. At the national level, institutional preparedness initiatives have been developed in the information sector, including training and technical capacity-building efforts.