His Excellency, Minister of Planning and Strategic Investment, Eng. Gastão Francisco de Sousa, participates in the Regular Meeting of the Council of Ministers

The Council of Ministers held a regular meeting at the Government Palace in Dili and began the meeting with the approval of the Government Resolution, presented by the Minister of Finance, Santina José Rodrigues F. Viegas Cardoso, on the additional subscription to the capital quota allocated to the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste. This resolution was approved by Resolution No. 664 of the Board of Directors of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), World Bank Group.

IBRD, as a global development cooperative, aims to overcome poverty and improve people’s lives through financing, risk management, access to expertise, and other services related to sustainable development.

In view of the World Bank Group’s announcement regarding the 2018 IBRD capital subscription, with a deadline of October 1, 2025, Timor-Leste subscribes to the following:

• 76 additional shares of IBRD capital stock, pursuant to Resolution No. 663, entitled 2018 General Capital Increase;
• 89 additional shares of IBRD capital stock, pursuant to Resolution No. 664, entitled 2018 Selective Capital Increase.

Timor-Leste Requests Formal Accession to the ASEAN Charter

The Council of Ministers approved the National Parliamentary Draft Resolution, presented by the Vice-Minister for ASEAN Affairs, Milena Maria da Costa Rangel, on the ratification of Timor-Leste’s accession to the ASEAN Charter.

The ASEAN Charter, adopted in Singapore on November 20, 2007, represents the common values and aspirations of the peoples of Southeast Asia for peace, stability, economic progress, and the protection of fundamental rights.

Formal accession will allow Timor-Leste to fully exercise its rights as an ASEAN Member and contribute to regional cooperation and integration.

The Council of Ministers also approved a resolution on the ratification of the Declaration of Admission of Timor-Leste to ASEAN, based on Article 6, paragraph 4, of the ASEAN Charter. The signing will take place in Malaysia on October 26, 2025. This declaration symbolizes the political acceptance of ASEAN member states in Timor-Leste.

Review of the Strategic Development Plan (2011-2030)

The Council of Ministers approved a resolution directly contracting PT Meridian Kreatama Mandiri to work with KIAT, Lda., to review the 2011-2030 Strategic Development Plan (SDP) and prepare a new SDP for 2026-2035.

Given the complexity of this review, the contract is justified by the company’s experience in Southeast Asia. The estimated project value is US$784,368.

Presentation of the Progress of the 2025 General State Budget (OGE) and Guidelines for the 2026 Budget

The Minister of Finance, Santina José Rodrigues F. Viegas Cardoso, and the technical team gave a presentation on:

1.   Progress of the 2025 budget implementation as of July 31, 2025;
2. Guidelines of the Budget Policy Review Committee for 2026, aligned with the Program of the IX Constitutional Government, expectations for budgetary entities, and fiscal limits.

The presentation includes an implementation schedule from August 5 to 23, 2025.

📍 This statement represents the Government’s commitment to continue developing Timor-Leste based on legality, transparency, and international cooperation.