DILI, 16 July 2026 (TATOLI) — Timor-Leste’s House Speaker Maria Fernanda Lay will represent Timor-Leste at the 15th meeting of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (AP-CPLP), to be held in Luanda, Angola, from July 22 to 24.
The annual gathering will bring together parliamentary representatives from the CPLP’s nine member states to discuss democratic governance, security and closer cooperation among Portuguese-speaking countries. The agenda also includes discussions on institutional integrity, political stability and strengthening parliamentary diplomacy.
Lay said the Parliamentary Assembly serves as an important forum for political dialogue among member states’ legislatures and offers an opportunity to deepen cooperation across the Lusophone community.
During the session, she is expected to outline Timor-Leste’s role in international affairs, present the country’s position on the political situation in Guinea-Bissau, and share Timor-Leste’s experience in promoting peace and sustainable development.
Lay said she hopes Timor-Leste’s participation will contribute to discussions on the challenges facing Guinea-Bissau within the CPLP. “For that reason, I will depart for Angola on 20 July. This time, Timor-Leste holds the Presidency of the CPLP,” she said.
The meeting is expected to attract around 100 lawmakers, as well as associate observers, diplomats and journalists from CPLP member states. Parliamentary delegations will also hold separate meetings to discuss issues of common interest.
The program includes the Conference of Presidents of National Parliaments, meetings of the Network of Women Parliamentarians and sessions of the Parliamentary Assembly’s standing committees.
Established in 2007, the CPLP Parliamentary Assembly brings together representatives of the national parliaments of the organisation’s member states to promote political dialogue, strengthen democracy, uphold human rights and expand inter-parliamentary cooperation.
Journalist: Nelson de Sousa
Editor: Maria Auxiliadora
Translation: Filomeno Marins
