Noura Al Kaabi, the UAE Minister of State, held talks with Bendito dos Santos Freitas, Timor-Leste’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, on October 1, 2026, the Emirates News Agency reported. The meeting reviewed the latest developments across several projects of shared interest, with both sides committing to tangible progress in government digitization, the strengthening of people-to-people ties and water security. Discussions on water security centred on expanding cooperation in advance of the United Nations Water Conference scheduled for December 8 to 10 in Abu Dhabi and co-hosted with Senegal, according to a statement from the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The two officials also exchanged views on regional developments affecting the Middle East and the Pacific regions during their New York encounter, which followed Al Kaabi’s official visit to Timor-Leste on August 31, 2026. That earlier trip marked the first high-level UAE delegation to the country and included the signing of a memorandum of understanding for a female students housing project. The initiative, supported by the UAE, will provide modern, solar-powered accommodation with rainwater storage and wastewater recycling for approximately 300 female university students in Dili, a Timor-Leste Presidency press release stated.
Al Kaabi’s August visit to Timor-Leste featured meetings with President José Ramos-Horta and several government ministers, where the parties agreed to accelerate cooperation in digitization while exploring opportunities in water management, food security and technical assistance for the country’s preparations to chair ASEAN in 2029. The UAE expressed readiness to share expertise on institutional capacity building, health and human resources development, according to reports from Tatoli news agency. Officials further agreed to pursue economic agreements that would facilitate trade, investment and broader economic cooperation between the two nations.
Diplomatic relations between the UAE and Timor-Leste were established on November 13, 2009, shortly after the Pacific nation’s independence, and have since expanded to include high-level engagements and development support. The Emirates News Agency figures show that the UAE’s cumulative foreign aid has reached AED 360 billion since 1971, underscoring its role in supporting sustainable development across regions including small island states like Timor-Leste. This assistance has focused on areas such as education, renewable energy and institutional strengthening, aligning with priorities discussed in the recent bilateral meetings.
During her visit to Timor-Leste, Al Kaabi conveyed greetings from UAE leadership to President Ramos-Horta and highlighted the flourishing bilateral relationship. She said, “The bilateral relationship between the UAE and Timor-Leste has flourished in recent years, underpinned by a shared commitment to advancing projects and initiatives that support the development of both countries in areas of mutual importance. We look forward to building on this momentum to further strengthen our diplomatic and economic ties and fulfil the aspirations of the peoples of both countries for sustainable development and prosperity.” The UAE also plans to open an embassy in Dili, a step that reflects deepening ties as noted in statements from both governments.
