DILI, 03 December 2025 (TATOLI) – Chief of Staff Jesuína Maria Ferreira Gomes on Tuesday presided over the opening of the Talent Promotion of People with Disabilities at the Nicolau Lobato Presidential Palace, an event organized by the Association of Persons with Disabilities of Timor-Leste (ADTL).
The ceremony formed part of the national celebration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2025. During the event, the Chief of Staff delivered the official message of President Jose Ramos-Horta, which echoed the United Nations theme, “Fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress.”
In the speech, President Ramos-Horta urged Timor-Leste to move toward a development model that ensures full autonomy, dignity, and meaningful participation for persons with disabilities, moving beyond approaches based primarily on welfare assistance.
The Head of State emphasized that national programmes should not be limited to subsidies but designed to empower individuals with disabilities to lead independent lives. Highlighting the need to dismantle systemic obstacles, Jesuína Gomes quoted the President: “We must free them from obstacles, so they do not depend excessively on maternal or paternal power, the Government, or national authorities.”
The message also drew attention to the inspiring experiences of Timorese Paralympic athletes who observed highly accessible environments abroad. The President appealed to local authorities and municipalities to adopt similar standards in Dili, improving urban safety and mobility for people with disabilities.
President Ramos-Horta reaffirmed the country’s commitment to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), stressing that this obligation must be reflected in tangible measures that promote civic participation and protect individuals from discrimination.
The Chief of Staff also conveyed the President’s appreciation to key partners—including the Government of Australia, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Ministry of Social Solidarity and Inclusion (MSSI)—for their continued support to ADTL and to broader inclusion efforts.
The speech concluded with a call to action directed at municipalities, institutions, and private companies, urging them to foster an environment where persons with disabilities can become “Happy, Active, and Productive Citizens.”
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
