Timor-Leste and the United Arab Emirates Strengthen Bilateral Cooperation During Noura Al Kaabi’s Visit
The Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Noura Bint Mohamed Al Kaabi, paid an official visit to Timor-Leste from August 31st to September 1st, 2026, during which she met the President of the Republic, José Ramos-Horta, and members of the Government to strengthen bilateral relations and explore new areas of cooperation between the two countries.
During her visit, Noura Al Kaabi met the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Bendito dos Santos Freitas, accompanied by Vice-Ministers Jesuína Gomes and Milena Rangel. The meeting focused on strengthening diplomatic relations and expanding cooperation across trade and investment, health, human resources development, institutional capacity building, and digital transformation.
Both sides also discussed Timor-Leste’s integration into ASEAN and preparations for Timor-Leste’s Chairmanship of the organisation in 2029. The United Arab Emirates expressed its willingness to provide technical support and share relevant experience to assist in this process.
The Minister of State also met with the Vice Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister of Economic Affairs, and Minister of Tourism and Environment, Francisco Kalbuadi Lay. The meeting provided an opportunity to explore cooperation opportunities in the sectors of economy, investment, tourism and hospitality, digital transformation, and human resources development, including in the context of preparations for the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2029.
The Vice Prime Minister stated that “Timor-Leste continues to prepare to assume a major responsibility within ASEAN in 2029” and announced the creation of a joint team between the two offices to identify priorities for cooperation, namely in the areas of human resources, hospitality, infrastructure, the hotel industry, and the digital economy.
During the meetings held throughout the visit, opportunities for cooperation were also explored in the digitisation of public services, water management, food security, renewable energy, and technical assistance.
Noura Al Kaabi also met the Minister of Finance, Santina José Rodrigues F. Viegas Cardoso, to discuss attracting investment and economic diversification. Both sides agreed to continue the dialogue with a view to concluding economic agreements to facilitate trade, investment, and economic cooperation between the two countries.
At the Nicolau Lobato Presidential Palace, the President of the Republic, José Ramos-Horta, received Noura Al Kaabi. The meeting focused on deepening bilateral relations and on digital transformation, water management, food security, and other areas of cooperation. The United Arab Emirates also expressed its intention to establish diplomatic representation in Dili.
The visit included a trip to the construction site of the residential complex for female university students, supported by the United Arab Emirates, where the President of the Republic and the Minister of State attended a project presentation and a symbolic tree-planting ceremony. The complex, the subject of a Memorandum of Understanding signed in May 2026, will have the capacity to accommodate approximately 300 female university students in Dili.
As part of the visit, a reception was also held, attended by the President of the Republic, members of the Government, representatives of the diplomatic corps, and other guests.
Timor-Leste and the United Arab Emirates established diplomatic relations on November 13th, 2009. Noura Al Kaabi’s visit marked the first high-level visit from the United Arab Emirates to Timor-Leste and furthered bilateral cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
