Presidency of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste
Social Communication Service Unit
Monthly Newsletter – March 2025
Highlights from the Media Presidency of the Republic, President J. Ramos-Horta
Presidential Visits:
Covalima Municipality Visit (March 25-28)
President Ramos-Horta conducted a comprehensive three-day visit to Covalima municipality, participating in numerous events:
- Inspected the Comandante em Chefe das FALINTIL Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão International Airport, emphasizing its strategic importance for both domestic and international travel
- Visited the General Secondary School in Sarankotek, encouraging students to study diligently and continue learning languages
- Paid tribute to victims of the 1999 Setembro Negro Massacre alongside General Reformed Lere Anan Timur
- Distributed essential supplies to 40 vulnerable families in Biseuk Village, Tilomar Administrative Post
- Supported the SSPS Nun Congregation at Madre Superiora Uma Mahon Salele through distribution of basic necessities
- Participated in border festival activities and a horse racing competition to engage with local communities
Humanitarian Response in Oecusse (March 29)
The Presidency delivered emergency support to a family devastated by a fire in the sub-village of Cuatenes, Lelaufe Village, Nítibe Administrative Post in Oecusse, despite difficult road conditions to reach the remote location.
Manufahi Municipality Visit (March 21)
President Ramos-Horta participated in an Intergenerational Dialogue in Same, Manufahi Municipality, organized in collaboration with youth organization MOTIVA and former Prime Minister Dr. Rui Maria de Araújo, creating a platform for meaningful discussion about Timor-Leste’s future.
Baucau Visit (March 15)
The President attended the graduation ceremony at Instituto Católico para a Formação de Professores (ICFP) in Baucau, reflecting on a decade of educational progress and acknowledging the contributions of Australian partners to Timor-Leste’s educational development.
Diplomatic Engagements:
International Relations Enhancement
- Met with Canadian Non-Resident Ambassador Jess Dutton to discuss strengthening bilateral relations (March 19)
- Welcomed Spanish Non-Resident Ambassador Francisco de Asis Aguilera Aranda for talks on enhancing cooperation (March 12)
- Received Malaysian Ambassador Amarjit Singh Sarjit Singh to advance bilateral initiatives (March 10)
- Met with Timor-Leste’s Ambassador to Indonesia, Roberto Soares, for updates on bilateral relations (March 10)
- Received Portuguese Communities Councilors from Asia and Oceania during the first Regional Council meeting held in Dili (March 20)
Awards And Recognition
President Ramos-Horta awarded the Insignia of the Order of Timor-Leste to three distinguished law enforcement leaders from Indonesia, Portugal, and Australia through a presidential decree signed on March 18, 2025.
Economic Development Initiatives:
Investment Opportunities
- Welcomed a potential new investment in Timor-Leste’s mining sector from PT Celebes Mineral Indo Resources for exploration and processing of copper, gold, and manganese minerals (March 12)
- Met with Scott Perrin of Spanish company Acciona to discuss a potential carbon storage facility in the Timor Sea aimed at creating jobs and generating revenue (March 12)
- Discussed economic diversification strategies with Central Bank of Timor-Leste Governor Helder Lopes (March 10)
Infrastructure Development
- Conducted an official visit to Tibar Bay Port Customs Service, praising operational efficiency improvements that have reduced container processing times from 12 days to just 2.5 days (March 13)
Social Welfare Initiatives:
Nutrition Programs
- Visited the expansion of “Dapur Prezidente ba Labarik” (President’s Kitchen for Children) initiative in Oecusse, which already provides over 650 daily meals to children in Dili and will now extend to low-income families in RAEOA (March 4)
- Collaborated with the World Food Program to record a video message for the Nutrition Summit (March 24)
- Addressed oral health challenges during the World Oral Health Month event at the Presidential Palace (March 25)
Vulnerable Populations Support
- Provided essential food and clothing to 200 families with disabilities across eight villages in Oecusse, in partnership with Japanese collaborators (March 3)
- Supported 40 vulnerable families in Biseuk Village, Tilomar Administrative Post during the Covalima visit (March 29)
Women’s Empowerment
- The Women’s Economic Empowerment Unit of the Presidency collaborated with the Thai Embassy to provide essential materials to the Dominican Sisters Congregation in Oecusse (March 23)
- Celebrated International Women’s Day with the theme “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights, Equality, and Empowerment” and the national theme “Women Can Lead in All Areas” (March 8)
- Participated in the inauguration of a rehabilitated “Kitchen for the People” in Oemolo, Lifau village, through the women’s economic empowerment unit (March 22)
Environmental and Cultural Initiatives:
Environmental Awareness
President Ramos-Horta issued a special message for the International Day of Forests (March 21) under the theme “Forests and Food,” emphasizing the crucial importance of forests for sustainability.
Cultural Promotion
- Featured Domingos Goncalves, a 65-year-old Tais seller, on the “Prezidente Horta Show” program broadcast on RTTL (March 15)
- Met with Ego Lemos, Goodwill Ambassador and Special Envoy for Culture, Environment and Water Resources, regarding his upcoming visit to Japan (March 10)
Health And Education Focus:
Healthcare Improvements
- Inaugurated a new Presidential Clinic in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (March 13)
- Discussed healthcare and mortality data control with Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão following Council of Ministers’ approval of a new decree law (March 20)
Educational Outreach
- Visited the General Secondary School in Sarankotek, Covalima, encouraging students to study diligently and continue learning languages (March 28)
- Socialized the Human Fraternity document to schools and training centers across the Special Administrative Region of Oecusse Ambeno (March 11-15)
- Participated in a Question and Answer Program broadcast live by the Education Television of Timor-Leste discussing Timor-Leste’s ASEAN membership challenges and opportunities (March 11)
Upcoming Events
- Official visit of Vietnam’s Prime Minister to Dili
- Continued expansion of “Dapur Prezidente ba Labarik” nutrition initiative
- Further development of border area cooperation projects
Official Statements and Messages
- Statement on the earthquake in Thailand and Myanmar (March 29)
- Message on Eid Al-Fitr 2025
- Message for the 25th Anniversary of PNTL
- Message on the International Day of Forests (March 21)
- Message for International Women’s Day (March 8)
- Congratulatory message to the new Prime Minister of Canada, Mark Carney (March 14)
- Well wishes to Pope Francisco on the 12th anniversary of his pontificate (March 13)
For more information about the Presidency’s activities, please visit our official website: https://presidenciarepublica.tl/ or follow our social media channels: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OPRTL/ , Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/presidencia_da_rdtl/ and YouTube: Presidência da República Democrática de TL.
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