Timor-Leste and Portugal strengthen cooperation in Social Protection and Social Security
DÍlI, 17 September 2026 (TATOLI) – The Minister of Social Solidarity and Inclusion, Verónica das Dores, and the Minister of Labour, Solidarity, and Social Security of Portugal, Maria do Rosário Palma Ramalho, signed the Bilateral Cooperation Programme for 2026–2028 in Lisbon on September 17th, 2026, aimed at strengthening cooperation in social protection and social security, with a particular focus on the fight against poverty and institutional capacity building.
The new Programme builds on the cooperation between the two countries in this sector since 2003 and is framed within the Strategic Cooperation Programme (PEC) 2024–2028 between Timor-Leste and Portugal.
In the fight against poverty, cooperation focuses on supporting social programmes and facilities for vulnerable individuals and families. This support is channelled through social solidarity institutions, partners of the Government of Timor-Leste, and is co-financed by the Ministries responsible for social solidarity in both countries.
In her address, Minister Verónica das Dores highlighted the contribution of these institutions to extending social protection to communities, including in regional areas and among the most isolated populations, and reaffirmed Timor-Leste’s commitment to continuing to support the work carried out by these entities.
The 2026–2028 Programme also provides for the continuation and strengthening of institutional capacity-building, through specialised training for technical staff and support for the consolidation of Timor-Leste’s social security system. This cooperation includes technical and regulatory support and continuing education initiatives, with monitoring by Portuguese Social Security bodies.
The Minister stated that, through this cooperation, “Portuguese Social Security, involving the various bodies, is helping to build and consolidate a stronger, more solid, and more sustainable social security system, while respecting Timor-Leste’s full autonomy and political decisions.”
Verónica das Dores added that the new Programme aims to reinforce this work, expand cooperation to other areas, and create conditions to increase the technical capabilities of professionals in Timor-Leste’s Social Security institutions.
Portugal’s Minister of Labour, Solidarity, and Social Security, Maria do Rosário Palma Ramalho, highlighted that the signing marks the continuation of cooperation between the two countries and joint work in the field of social solidarity.
The ceremony was attended by Portugal’s Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, the Deputy Secretary of State for Labour, diplomatic representatives, heads of Social Security institutions of both countries, representatives of Camões, the Institute for Cooperation and Language, and other officials from the two delegations.
The Bilateral Cooperation Programme 2026–2028 will continue joint projects to combat poverty, strengthen institutional capacity, and consolidate Timor-Leste’s social security system.
TATOLI
