Timor-Leste hosts CPLP ministerial meeting in Dili amid broad agenda
DILI, 11 August 2026 (TATOLI) — Timor-Leste will host the 31st Ordinary Meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP) in Dili from Aug. 12 to 19, bringing together a series of technical, cooperation and political-diplomatic meetings.
The announcement was made Tuesday by Joaquim Fernandes, coordinator-general of Timor-Leste’s CPLP Pro Tempore Presidency Commission, during a news conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation in Dili.
The ministerial meeting will consider two draft declarations and about 20 draft resolutions covering democratic rule of law, the CPLP’s 30th anniversary, mobility, youth, and economic and business cooperation, Fernandes said.
The agenda will also address social security, oceans, climate change, public health, the Portuguese language, and the organisation’s institutional and financial affairs.
Fernandes identified the CPLP Strategic Agenda 2027-2033, economic and business cooperation, social protection and mobility, democratic rule of law, and the situation in Guinea-Bissau as key issues for the meeting.
With the current strategic framework nearing the end of its term, Timor-Leste will again play a coordinating role in preparing the new strategic agenda, which is expected to guide the organisation’s work from 2027 to 2033.
Economic and business cooperation will also be a major focus. Timor-Leste will coordinate the preparation of the New Strategic Agenda for the Consolidation of CPLP Economic Cooperation 2028-2032, Fernandes said.
Social protection and mobility will also feature prominently, with member states expected to sign an administrative agreement to implement the CPLP Multilateral Social Security Convention.
The agreement is intended to put the convention into operation and strengthen social protection and the portability of social security rights for citizens of CPLP member states.
The democratic rule of law, which is the central theme of Timor-Leste’s Pro Tempore Presidency, will be another key issue.
“Consistent with the theme of the Timorese presidency, a declaration on the consolidation of the democratic rule of law and the challenges facing the CPLP will be considered,” Fernandes said.
The declaration is expected to reaffirm member states’ commitment to democratic principles, the rule of law and stronger political and diplomatic coordination.
The political situation in Guinea-Bissau will also be addressed through a draft resolution, reflecting the CPLP’s commitment to stability, constitutional order and democratic principles.
Several preparatory meetings will take place before the ministerial session.
On August 13 and 14, Dili will host the second edition of the Seminar for Timor-Leste’s National Sectoral Focal Points, aimed at strengthening coordination among national institutions and the country’s participation in CPLP cooperation programmes.
The 52nd Meeting of CPLP Cooperation Focal Points will follow on August 15 and 16 to review the implementation of cooperation projects, assess results and consider new proposals.
On August 17, the Working Group for the Permanent Consultative Committee will meet, followed on August 18 by the 294th Ordinary Meeting of the Permanent Consultative Committee.
The preparatory meetings will finalise documents and issues to be submitted to the Council of Ministers for consideration on August 19.
Representatives from CPLP member states and the organisation’s Executive Secretariat will attend the ministerial meeting.
Among those expected to participate are Angola’s Foreign Minister Téte António; Brazil’s Secretary for Africa and the Middle East, Carlos Sérgio Duarte; Cabo Verde’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Communities and National Defence, Manuel Augusto Lima; and Equatorial Guinea’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Diaspora, Siméon Oyono.
Mozambique’s Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Mozambican Communities Abroad, Maria de Fátima Manso; Portugal’s Minister of State and Foreign Affairs, Paulo Rangel; São Tomé and Príncipe’s Minister of Justice, Public Administration and Human Rights, Vera Maria Gomes Cravid; and CPLP Executive Secretary Maria de Fátima Jardim are also expected to attend.
The meeting will conclude with a joint news conference by Timor-Leste’s Foreign Minister, Bendito Freitas, and Jardim to present the main outcomes.
Journalist: Afonso do Rosário
Editor: Isaura Lemos de Deus
Translator: Filomeno Martins
