President Ramos-Horta holds talks with Indonesian Health Minister

DÍLI, 08 September 2026 (TATOLI) – President of the Republic, José Ramos-Horta welcomed the Indonesian Minister of Health, Budi Gunadi Sadikin, for a courtesy visit at the Nicolau Lobato Presidential Palace.

During the meeting, Minister Gunadi Sadikin commended Timor-Leste’s recent public health victory in eliminating trachoma and celebrated the nation’s official integration into ASEAN, noting that Timor-Leste will be fully represented at the upcoming ASEAN Health Ministers Meeting in Malaysia.

The Indonesian Health Minister also formally informed the Head of State of his nomination by President Prabowo Subianto for the position of Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO).

Recognizing President Ramos-Horta’s extensive diplomatic background and deep experience within the United Nations system, Minister Gunadi Sadikin sought the President’s strategic guidance and valuable insights for his candidacy.

The productive dialogue concluded with a mutual commitment to further deepen the bilateral relationship between the two neighboring nations.

Both leaders emphasized the critical importance of cross-border health cooperation, specifically resolving to work closely together to combat infectious diseases such as rabies and swine flu.

TATOLI