DILI, 08 May 2025 (TATOLI) – The Secretary of State for Art and Culture, Jorge Cristóvão, represented Timor-Leste at the Extraordinary Meeting of Ministers of Culture of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP), held today in São Tomé and Príncipe.
In his intervention, Cristóvão highlighted the importance of digital platforms in promoting the Portuguese language.
He said that digital platforms contribute to fostering the learning of the Portuguese language in Timor-Leste by offering accessible and convenient ways to learn the language, such as providing access to news in Portuguese for the Timorese people.
Jorge Cristóvão recalled that the government is committed to increasing the use of the Portuguese language in Timor-Leste, the only Portuguese-speaking independent nation in Asia.
“The number of Portuguese speakers in Timor-Leste is still low, which is why the government continues to work on developing the language so that it becomes more widely spoken throughout the country,” said the Secretary of State.
With only an estimated 5% of speakers in 2002, the Portuguese language has experienced significant growth over the past two decades, as more than 30% of Timorese people now speak the language.
He believes the meeting contributed to strengthening the promotion and dissemination of the Portuguese language and cultural diversity among the CPLP Member States.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
