President Ramos-Horta welcomes high-level UAE delegation
DILI, 31 August 2026 (TATOLI) – The President of the Republic and Nobel Peace Laureate, José Ramos-Horta, today received Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates, for an official meeting at the Nicolau Lobato Presidential Palace.
The meeting marks the first high-level visit from the UAE to Timor-Leste, underscoring the growing partnership and friendship between the two nations.
The visit follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in May 2026 for the “Female Students Housing and Social Facilities Project,” a UAE supported initiative to build a modern residential complex for approximately 300 female university students in Dili. The project is designed to provide safe, dignified accommodation featuring 100% solar energy, rain water storage and waste water recycling.
The meeting was attended by senior Timorese officials, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Bendito dos Santos Freitas; Vice Minister, Jesuina Gomes; and other key advisors. Al Kaabi was accompanied by UAE Ambassador Abdulla Salem Aldhaheri.
During the meeting, President Ramos-Horta expressed his gratitude for the UAE’s support and reaffirmed his commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations between the two nations.
“Today’s visit by Her Excellency Minister Al Kaabi is a testament to the warm and growing friendship between Timor-Leste and the United Arab Emirates. I extend my gratitude to my dear friend, President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, for the UAE’s support for the education of Timorese women,” President Ramos-Horta said. “The Girls’ Hostel project is far more than the construction of a building, it is the materialization of a promise that every young woman, regardless of her social background, will have access to education, dignity, and the opportunity to build her future. We look forward to deepening our cooperation across all areas of shared interest and welcome the UAE’s plan to establish its future embassy in Dili as a significant milestone in strengthening our bilateral relationship.”
Minister Noura Al Kaabi said: “I am deeply grateful to President Ramos-Horta for his warm welcome during my first visit to Timor-Leste. I express warmest Regards from our President and Vice President to President Ramos-Horta, Government and the Timorese people. Timor-Leste has proven itself a true friend of the UAE, most notably through President’s unwavering solidarity following the recent attacks on our nation.”
Noura Al Kaabi said the meeting had opened new avenues for expanding cooperation across several sectors of mutual interest, including renewable energy, economic partnerships, capacity building and technical support for Timor-Leste’s ASEAN chairmanship in 2029.
She said Timor-Leste was not only a partner but also considered part of the UAE family, adding that the UAE remained committed to deepening bilateral relations with the same sincerity and warmth shown by the Timorese people.
The UAE delegation also took the opportunity to inform President Ramos-Horta about the upcoming UN Water Summit, which the UAE will host at the end of this year in co-sponsorship with Senegal. UAE delegation expressed their interest in hearing the President’s vision on this pressing global issue, given his esteemed leadership and deep engagement with sustainable development challenges.
Following the meeting, President Ramos-Horta and Minister Al Kaabi proceeded to the construction site of the Female Students Residence Complex for a project presentation and a symbolic tree-planting ceremony. The project is supported by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates during President Ramos-Horta official visit to the UAE in 2023. The complex will provide safe, modern accommodation for up to 300 female university students.
The UAE Minister of State also held bilateral meetings with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation and the Minister of Finance, as well as a courtesy call with the Vice Prime Minister, before attending a friendship reception hosted by Ambassador Aldhaheri.
Timor-Leste and the UAE established diplomatic relations on 13 November 2009. The recent signing of the Memorandum of Understanding for the Female Students Housing Project in May 2026 has further solidified bilateral ties.
President Ramos-Horta has regularly participated in the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity ceremonies and has commended the UAE’s commitment to peace and tolerance.
The UAE plans to establish an embassy in Dili, a step welcomed by the President as a sign of the deepening relationship.
The high-level visit of Her Excellency Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates, and her delegation to Timor-Leste will conclude on Tuesday, 1 September 2026.
TATOLI
