Portugal proposes forming CPLP Ambassadors Group in Timor-Leste to strengthen Lusophone cooperation
DILI, 18 November 2025 (TATOLI) – Portugal’s Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Duarte Alves, announced plans to establish a Group of Ambassadors from the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP) in Timor-Leste to strengthen Lusophone cooperation and promote the Portuguese language.
Ambassador Alves said the proposed CPLP Ambassadors Group would help advance collaboration in areas such as language promotion, culture, education, youth engagement, and multilateral diplomacy.
He shared the information on Monday during a visit to the Language Clinic for Journalists (CLJ) in Formosa, Dili, where he met with the project team alongside the Director-General of the Secretariat of State for Social Communication, Florindo Costa, and the Cooperation Attaché, Ana Pereira.
Alves explained that the initiative comes as the CPLP prepares to celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2026, marking three decades since its founding in Lisbon on 17 July 1996.
“The CPLP foresees the formation of groups of Ambassadors from Portuguese-speaking countries. After discussions with my colleagues from Angola and Brazil—the other two Lusophone Ambassadors resident in Dili—we agreed that organizing ourselves as a group would be beneficial. It would allow us to discuss shared concerns, meet with guests, and host events such as conferences or cultural activities,” he said.
According to Alves, CPLP Ambassadors Groups are better positioned to support diplomatic dialogue, promote the Portuguese language, encourage joint initiatives, and share relevant programs and projects among Member States. In Dili, the future group would initially include the embassies of Portugal, Angola, and Brazil, the only Lusophone missions currently represented by resident Ambassadors.
He added that the goal is for the group to function with its own momentum and maintain regular meetings. “If we move forward with this objective and remain committed to a structured group, I believe we can create a regular meeting space here in Dili, with activities of mutual interest. One of the group’s first actions could be to learn more about the work carried out by the CLJ,” he said.
The creation of a CPLP Ambassadors Group is seen as a timely opportunity to enhance Lusophone cooperation in Timor-Leste, particularly in advancing the Portuguese language, cultural exchange, education, youth initiatives, and multilateral diplomacy.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
