Portugal and Timor-Leste sign new social security cooperation agreement

Portugal and Timor-Leste have strengthened their cooperation in social protection and social security through the signing of a new bilateral program for the 2026–2028 period. The agreement was finalized during a visit to Lisbon by Timor-Leste’s Minister of Labor, Solidarity, and Social Security, Maria Verónica das Dores.

The program is part of the broader Strategic Cooperation Program (PEC) between the two nations for 2024–2028, which has a total value of 75 million euros. This initiative focuses on two primary pillars: fighting poverty and institutional capacity building. Poverty reduction efforts will support social programs and equipment for vulnerable families through partner solidarity institutions, while capacity building will involve specialized training for technical staff.

The overarching PEC framework, originally signed in October 2024 during Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão’s official visit to Portugal, covers five priority areas: human development, rule of law and good governance, public administration, public finance and economy, and youth, employment, oceans, sustainability, and infrastructure.