Dili, Aug. 21, 2026 (Lusa) - Japan will provide around €946,000 to support the training of young Timorese civil servants in 2027 as part of the «Human Resources Development Scholarship» project.
«The initiative has opened up opportunities for young civil servants from Timor-Leste to pursue postgraduate studies at Japanese universities. It is hoped that the participants will contribute to the socio-economic development of Timor-Leste», said Japan's Ambassador to Dili, Yamamoto Yasushi.
The ambassador was speaking following the signing of an exchange of notes with Timor-Leste's Foreign Minister, Bendito Freitas, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dili.
«Today's signing represents an ongoing strategic investment in Timor-Leste's human capital, institutional capacity and future leadership. Since its introduction in Timor-Leste in 2018, the programme has provided valuable opportunities for Timorese civil servants to acquire advanced knowledge and experience at Japanese universities,» said Bendito Freitas.
Since 2019, Japan has funded 52 Timorese scholarship holders, and this month a further seven will be travelling to Japan to study. The agreement signed today provides for financial assistance from the Japanese authorities amounting to 176 million Japanese yen (approximately €946,000), explained the Timorese minister.
«For Timor-Leste, this investment comes at a crucial moment in our national development. As our country enters a new phase of development and greater regional and international engagement, it is becoming increasingly important to strengthen the capacity of state institutions,» said the foreign minister.
The Japanese ambassador added that, with Timor-Leste's formal accession to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), it is «essential to develop the next generation of leaders».
On 1 December 2023, Timor-Leste and Japan elevated their relationship to a «Comprehensive Partnership for Growth and Sustainable Development», strengthening economic, institutional and development cooperation in the sectors of infrastructure, agriculture, human resources and health.
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