DÍLI, May 20, 2026
The ninth incumbent Constitutional Government, led by Prime Minister (PM) Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão and Vice-Prime Minister (V-PM), Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs (CMEA) and Minister of Tourism and Environment (MTA), Francisco Kalbuadi Lay, organizes the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the construction of the International Convention Centre (ICC) at Dili Port.
Groundbreaking ceremony held in commemoration of the 24th anniversary of the Restoration of Independence of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste (RDTL), attended by the President of the Republic, José Ramos-Horta, ASEAN Secretary-General, Kao Kim Hourn, Vice Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Rural Development and Community Housing, Mariano Assanami Sabino, and Vice-Chairman of the National Parliament, Duarte Nunez.
The objective of the Project stems comes from the vision and collective ambition of Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, and Vice Prime Minister, Francisco Kalbuadi Lay, alongside the relevant technical teams, who have worked for more than two years, and plan to complete it integrally on May 20, 2028.
This construction is a fundamental preparatory step, considering that in 2029, Timor-Leste will take on a major responsibility to be the host and chair the Presidency of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
In his welcoming speech, the vice Prime-Minister Francisco Kalbuady Lay, extends his profound gratitude to the President of the Republic Jose Ramos Horta, for being able to participate directly in this ceremony, and also congratulated the people of Timor-Leste on this historic day. The government also expresses recognition and gratitude to the ambassador of China and Australia in Timor-Leste, including the companies that received trust from the state to execute the work.
In the same venue, Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, recalled that the vision for the construction of the ICC has been presented to the public along with its designs, after some discussions last year with the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, regarding Timor-Leste’s accession process to ASEAN.
“As a new member of ASEAN, we aspire to undertake numerous endeavours. That means we have to prepare ourselves now to reach 2029. In 2029 Timor-Leste will chair ASEAN, that’s why we are all here to start this vision and this commitment,” stated the Head of Government, PM Xanana Gusmão.
The Secretary-General of ASEAN, Kao Kim Hourn, who marked his presence at the ceremony stated that, The ICC project is a clear reflection of the integral commitment of Timor-Leste to National development, international engagement, and regional integration. They reiterated that investment in infrastructure is key to good connectivity and confirmed that ASEAN will fully support Timor-Leste’s preparation to host the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2029.
The event was also attended by distinguish guest, including Australian Defence Minister Richer Marles, two former Indonesian Foreign Ministers, Hassan Wirayuda and Marty Natalegawa, along with the government officials, members of the National Parliament, the diplomatic Corps, and representatives from executing companies.