Japan and Timor-Leste Discuss Development Programs and Cooperation
In June 2025, Japan and Timor-Leste strengthened their bilateral cooperation through key discussions and development projects. Japanese Ambassador Tetsuya Kimura met with Timor-Leste’s President José Ramos Horta in Dili to review Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) initiatives in the country. These include the ongoing expansion of Nicolau Lobato International Airport and the planned rehabilitation of the Guido Valadares National Hospital (HNGV).
Simultaneously, a meeting in Tokyo between Timor-Leste’s Ambassador to Japan, Ilídio Ximenes da Costa, and representatives from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) confirmed that the $20 million Japanese grant for upgrading HNGV has entered the tender phase. Construction of a new four-story hospital wing is scheduled to begin in mid-2025, with completion targeted for April 2027. This new facility will house essential departments such as outpatient services, operating rooms, obstetrics and gynecology, maternity wards, and a Central Sterile Supply Department (CSSD). It will also be equipped with modern medical technology to enhance healthcare delivery, particularly in maternal and child health.
The project follows a grant agreement signed in August 2024 between Timor-Leste’s Ministry of Finance and JICA, reflecting a strong partnership focused on improving the country’s healthcare infrastructure. The new hospital wing will integrate with existing pediatric and intensive care units currently under construction, aiming to boost emergency medical services’ efficiency.
Beyond infrastructure, Japan continues to support Timor-Leste’s human resource development by providing scholarships in various fields and planning to send five JICA volunteers in July 2025 to assist with capacity building. These efforts highlight Japan’s comprehensive approach to development, combining physical infrastructure improvements with investments in local skills and expertise.
This collaboration aligns with Timor-Leste’s broader development goals and comes at a significant moment as the country prepares to join the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Japan’s ongoing support underscores its commitment to Timor-Leste’s economic growth, poverty reduction, and institutional strengthening, contributing to the nation’s sustainable development and regional integration.