DILI, 20 October 2025 (TATOLI) — The National Parliament on Monday approved President José Ramos-Horta’s State visit to to Doha, Qatar, and the Vatican in November.
The first trip is scheduled from November 4 to 6 in Doha, where the Head of State will attend the World Summit on Social Development and the inaugural meeting of the Global Alliance of Leaders Against Hunger and Poverty, at the invitation of Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
Later, from November 17 to 23, Ramos-Horta will travel to the Vatican, where he will be received in an audience with Pope Leo XIV on November 21.
“The result of the vote was clear: 45 in favor, one against, and five abstentions. The Parliament therefore authorizes the President’s visits,” said Maria Fernanda Lay, President of the National Parliament.
In addition to the official trips, Ramos-Horta announced two private visits. The first will be to Jakarta, Indonesia, from November 9 to 11, to attend the closing ceremony of the World Peace Forum, under the theme ‘Considering Wasatiyyat and Tionghua for Global Collaboration.’ The invitation came from the Center for Dialogue and Cooperation among Civilizations and the Forum’s Presidency.
Ramos-Horta’s second private will be to Perth, Australia, where on November 4 he will deliver a lecture hosted by the Australian Institute of International Affairs (Western Australia). The event forms part of the 50th anniversary commemorations of the 1975 events that marked Timor-Leste’s declaration of independence and subsequent political turmoil.
The President also plans a short vacation from November 29 to December 3, before returning to Timor-Leste on December 5.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
