DILI, 10 July 2025 (TATOLI) — Timor-Leste and Australia strengthened their enduring partnership by co-hosting the 5th International Conference of Friendship Groups, held on 10–11 July at Nobre Hall, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation in Dili.
The two-day conference aims to reinforce people-to-people and government-to-government connections, foster deeper local-level engagement, and support mutual understanding and collaboration.
The conference was officially inaugurated by the President of the Republic, José Ramos-Horta, and attended by Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, Minister of State Administration Tomás do Rosário Cabral, and Australian Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Caitlin Wilson.
The event brought together more than 200 delegates, including leaders from national and municipal governments, civil society organizations, and community representatives from both Timor-Leste and Australia.
The conference serves as a valuable platform for exchanging knowledge, sharing experiences, and identifying key development priorities through dialogue between communities and community groups from Timor-Leste and Australia. It marks a further significant partnership between the two countries and builds on a strong foundation of solidarity, cooperation, and shared experiences.
“This conference brings together representatives from the City Councils of New South Wales, Canberra, Victoria, and Darwin with the aim of fostering friendship, sharing experiences, and promoting new forms of cooperation between local institutions of the two countries. It will also serve as a platform for dialogue and exchange, highlighting the historical ties between Timor-Leste and Australian communities, and recognizing the vital role that connections between local communities play in strengthening solidarity and advancing sustainable development,” said the Minister of Stated Administration Tomás do Rosário Cabral.
A key focus of the event is to expand the network of Friendship Groups, especially in Timor-Leste’s Administrative Posts that are yet to form partnerships. These new relationships are expected to support local participation in the country’s decentralization efforts and facilitate knowledge-sharing based on existing models of cooperation.
Australian Ambassador Caitlin Wilson praised the enduring relationships between Timorese and Australian communities.
“I am very happy to see these long-term friendships and people-to-people links continue to build and grow at the community level. It is a testament to the long history of collaboration and partnership between Timorese and Australian people,” said Ambassador Wilson.
In his remarks, President Horta emphasized that the friendship partnerships between Timor-Leste and Australia represent the very essence of people-to-people diplomacy, where genuine bonds transcend official channels and create lasting foundations for mutual understanding and shared prosperity. “The dedication of our Australian friends over these 25 years has not only supported our development but has enriched our communities with the spirit of international solidarity,” he said.
Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão expressed his gratitude to the people and Government of Australia for 25 years of “strong friendship and continuous support for the country’s development,” emphasizing that the Friendship Groups have played a vital role in Timor-Leste’s development journey, even during times of political tension.
The Prime Minister noted that there are currently 32 active Friendship Groups linking Timorese and Australian municipalities, each implementing projects tailored to local needs.
Since its humble beginnings in 2000 with the first partnership between Victorian councils and Timorese municipalities, the Timor-Leste – Australia Friendship Network has evolved into a robust network of 32 formally registered groups spanning New South Wales, Canberra, Victoria, and Darwin. These partnerships have facilitated crucial exchanges in local governance, sustainable development, and community empowerment.
The Timor-Leste – Australia Friendship Network, formally recognized by Timor-Leste’s Ministry of State Administration in 2009, continues to serve as a model for decentralized cooperation and citizen diplomacy in the region. The conference aligns with the principles established in the 2016 Dili Declaration on Administrative Decentralization and Local Government, reinforcing Timor-Leste’s commitment to bringing governance closer to citizens while fostering international cooperation at the community level.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
