DILI, 26 May 2026 (TATOLI) — The Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Agio Pereira, met on Monday at the Government Palace in Dili with a delegation from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to discuss cooperation on governance, cybercrime, and transnational crime prevention.
The UNODC delegation, led by Delphine Schantz, was on an official visit to Timor-Leste from 25 to 26 May 2026.
During the meeting, both sides discussed government coordination mechanisms, national policy priorities, and opportunities to align UNODC support with Timor-Leste’s governance and institutional development goals.
The UNODC delegation presented its work supporting 29 countries across Southeast Asia and the Pacific in combating transnational organized crime and cybercrime through institutional capacity-building, technical training, and operational assistance to national authorities. It also highlighted emerging crime trends in the region, including online fraud linked to organized criminal networks.
Minister Pereira said combating transnational crime, particularly cybercrime, remains a national priority.
He said the government is developing a cybersecurity legislative package aimed at strengthening the legal and institutional framework in this area, including measures on cyberspace security, digital services, and the prevention and response to cyber incidents.
The meeting also discussed the United Nations Convention on Cybercrime. The UNODC regional representative encouraged Timor-Leste to consider signing the instrument, which currently has 75 signatories and three ratifications, with 40 ratifications required for it to enter into force.
The delegation also expressed readiness to provide technical support for Timor-Leste’s ongoing legislative process, including the review of a draft cybercrime law currently under preparation.
Both sides also discussed the possibility of Timor-Leste signing the convention during the high-level segment of the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September.
Delphine Schantz reaffirmed UNODC’s commitment to supporting Timor-Leste in strengthening national capacity to prevent and combat transnational organized crime and cybercrime.
TATOLI
