“IN VICTORY BE MAGNANIMOUS, NEVER SEEK TO HUMILIATE THE ADVERSARY; IF HE IS ON HIS KNEES HOLD HIS HANDS, PLEAD WITH HIM TO RISE UP. WALK HALFWAY AND MEET THE VANQUISHED ONES; EMBRACE THEM, INVITE THEM TO JOIN IN A NEW ENTERPRISE OF PEACE, A NEW FUTURE FOR ALL. THIS HAS BEEN MY BELIEF AND IN MANY WAYS THIS HAS BEEN OUR PRACTICE SINCE INDEPENDENCE.”
JOSÉ RAMOS-HORTA
On 21 April, 2022, in a landslide election, Dr. José Ramos-Horta was elected President of Timor-Leste for a second term. He had previous served as Foreign Minister and Senior Cabinet Minister (2000 – 2006), Prime Minister (2007 – 2008), and President (2008-2012). Dr. Ramos-Horta sworn into office on May 19 and assumed office on 20 May, 2022, the 20th anniversary of Timor-Leste’s restoration of independence.
A founding father of the first new democracy of the millennium.
In exile for 24 years, he was the lone voice of his people, the people of Timor-Leste (East Timor) as they suffered one of the most brutal occupations of the last century. After leading his country to independence, he served as the President of the century’s newest democracy.
Features:
Timor-Leste Adopts Document on Human Fraternity
Timor-Leste will be the first country in the world to adopt The Human Fraternity document, a document promoting peace and harmony between Christians and Muslims that has been endorsed by both Pope Francis and Ahmed el-Tayyeb, the grand imam of Al-Azhar. The "Document...
May 20: President Ramos-Horta Address to Parliament
On May 20, 2022, newly elected President José Ramos-Horta addressed the Parliament of Timor-Leste. The President addressed the challenges of building a pluralistic democracy after decades of violence under the occupation. The Constitution, he says, lays the foundation for the evolving State, and for peace in the nation.
May 20: President of Portugal Address to Timor-Leste Parliament
The President of Portugal, Mr. Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, addressed the Parliament of Timor-Leste today, on the 20th anniversary of the Restoration of Timor-Leste's independence. Addressing President Ramos-Horta, President de Sousa said that it was an honor to be...
Ramos-Horta Sworn Into Office, 19 May 2020
On 19 May, 2020, Nobel Peace Prize laureate José Ramos-Horta was sworn into the office of President, Timor-Leste. In his inaugural speech, delivered in four languages, the newly sworn in President called for national unity between rival parties, saying that he would...
News: Articles, Speeches, Videos
President Attends St. Anthony’s celebrations in Manatuto.
President Ramos-Horta attending the annual Saint Anthony's religious and cultural activities in Manatuto town. The activities last the whole month of June with daily fun activities like fairs, games, sports, etc. 13th June is the main religious event with a Catholic...
Speech: Comment on “Major Choices” Plan and Rectified Budget for 2023
MAJOR CHOICES PLAN PROMULGATION STATEMENT Nicolau Lobato Presidential Palace, Dili, 13 June 2022Today I have promulgated the law on the Major Choices Plan for 2023. This law is an indicative plan for the priorities of the current government and its respective budget...
Speech: Timor-Leste Development Partners Meeting
Keynote Address “Supporting the Presidential Vision for Timor-Leste’s Development” J. Ramos-Horta, President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste 2022 Timor-Leste and Development Partners Meeting 10 June 2022 Excelências First and foremost, I thank the Prime...
Political situation in Myanmar and the effects on Bayingyi villages
The following Report was received by President Ramos-Horta on 4 June, 2022: Since the military coup of February 1, 2021 in Myanmar, .thousands of civilians have been killed and detained by the military; at least 12,417 civilian houses have been burned, at 296...
Sky News: President Rules Out Security Pact With China
In recent meetings, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and President Ramos-Horta discussed and signed agreements on issues including health care, infrastructure, and economic co-operation. President Ramos-Horta ruled out a security agreement with China, saying "We do...
Unlocking Leaders Podcast Series: José Ramos-Horta: We’ve Been a Loyal Neighbor of Indonesia, ASEAN
Unlocking Podcast 06 | We’ve Been a Loyal Neighbor of Indonesia, ASEAN | Timor Leste’s President HE DR José Ramos-Horta.
President Meets with United States Representatives
Chargé d’Affaires of the US Embassy in Timor-Leste Thomas Daley was joined by USAID Mission Director in Timor-Leste Zema Samunegus, in a meeting with President Ramos-Horta at the Presidential Palace Nicolau Lobato, June 3, 2022. The US representatives affirmed the...
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi Meets with President Ramos-Horta
President José Ramos-Horta meets with Chinese Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Wang Yi to discuss Timor-Leste - China bilateral relations. China Is one of Timor-Leste's main development partners, while Australia remains an outsize bilateral aid...
AlJazeera: East Timor’s president to focus on economy, political stability
José Ramos-Horta, who came out of retirement to run for the presidency, explains why he is focusing on the economy and why China is important ‘but not more important’. By Allegra Mendelson Published On 24 May 202224 May 2022 Dili, East Timor – José...
The Age: ‘In their strategic interest’: Ramos-Horta calls on Australia to spend big in East Timor
Singapore: New East Timor President Jose Ramos-Horta wants Australia to back a major infrastructure drive in south-east Asia’s newest nation, saying it’s in the new government’s strategic interest to retain a “pro-Australia, pro-Western values” near neighbour. In...
Muslim Council of Elders: Video, Ramos-Horta on Document on Human Fraternity
The Muslim Council of Elders released a video today on Timor-Leste's adoption of the Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together. Timor-Leste has become the first nation in the world to formally adopt the document.
Emirates News: East Timor adopts Document on Human Fraternity as national document
DILI, 21st May, 2022 (WAM) -- José Ramos-Horta, President of East Timor, expressed his happiness at the decision made by his country’s parliament to adopt the Document on Human Fraternity as a national document and its integration into the school curriculum. In his...
IMAGES OF TIMOR-LESTE
Timor-Leste in
pictures
See his home through his eyes; the island that was once the scene of mass executions, torture centers and atrocities, enjoying the dividends of peace today.
INTERNATIONAL PEACE BUILDING
Taking peace building to the world.
Through high level missions for the UN Secretary General and other international peace building and diplomatic efforts, Ramos-Horta shares the wisdom of experience to make a better world.