Dili, Timor-Leste — 14 & 15 August 2026 — The Cruz Vermelha de Timor-Leste (CVTL) held our 6th National Assembly on 14–15 August 2026 at the National Election Commission (CNE) Hall in Colmera, Dili, bringing together representatives from its branches across the country to review the organization’s performance and elect its new leadership for the 2026–2030 term.
The two-day National Assembly was attended by the presidents of 13 CVTL branches and four delegates from each branch. On the first day, delegates reviewed and analyzed reports on CVTL’s activities, achievements, organizational performance and financial situation.
As Timor-Leste’s national humanitarian organization and an auxiliary to the Government of Timor-Leste under Decree-Law No. 6/2005, CVTL reaffirmed its commitment to providing impartial, neutral and independent humanitarian services to vulnerable communities throughout the country.
During the opening session, outgoing President of the National Governing Board (CDN), Mrs. Madalena F. Melo H. Costa Soares, expressed her appreciation to CVTL members, volunteers, staff, branches and partners for their cooperation and dedication throughout the 2022–2026 mandate.
She also encouraged the incoming leadership to continue promoting good governance, transparency, accountability and humanitarian action that places vulnerable people at the center of decision-making.
Representing the Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, Vice-Minister for Hospital Operationalization, Dr. Flávio Brandão Mendes de Araújo, called on CVTL and its leadership to continue preventing and alleviating human suffering, protecting human dignity and strengthening community resilience across Timor-Leste in its role as an auxiliary to the Government.
The National Assembly was officially opened by Dr. Flávio Brandão Mendes de Araújo, accompanied by Mr. Joaquim da Costa Freitas, Coordinator of the Civil Society Support Office.
The Assembly also brought together representatives of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and international partners, including Mrs. Kartika Juwita, Head of Cooperation of the ICRC Regional Delegation for Indonesia and Timor-Leste; Mrs. Kathryn Clarkson, IFRC Head of Delegation and Representative to ASEAN, covering Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, Singapore and Timor-Leste; Mr. Adrian Prouse, Head of International Programs at the Australian Red Cross; and Mr. Md. Sazzad Ansari, Country Representative of the American Red Cross. The founders of CVTL also attended the Assembly as observers.
On the second day, 15 August, delegates conducted the election of CVTL’s new National Governing Board and other leadership positions for the 2026–2030 period.
The newly elected leadership is as follows:
- President of the National Governing Board (CDN): Mr. Cecilio Fernandez
- Vice-President: Mr. Marçal Freitas Magno
- Secretary: Mr. Hermenegildo Cardoso Rente
- President of the Finance Committee: Mrs. Sonia Dinis Almeida
- Finance Committee Member I: Mrs. Teresa da Costa de Almeida
- Finance Committee Member II: Mr. Egidio Carceres Oliveira
- President of Region I — Baucau, Lautem and Viqueque: Mr. Anacleto Lopes
- President of Region II — Dili, Manatuto and Oe-Cusse: Mr. Arnaldo Suni
- President of Region III — Ainaro, Aileu, Covalima and Manufahi: Mr. Domingos G. Amaral
- President of Region IV — Bobonaro, Ermera and Liquiça: Mrs. Gizela Pires Pereira
The newly elected CDN members are Mr. Aurelio S. C. Guterres, Mr. Arantes Isaac Sarmento, Mrs. Joaninha Xavier Pereira, Mr. Nelson dos Santos, Mr. Atanasio Francisco Tavares, Mrs. Maria Elizita F. Belo and Mrs. Odete Juvita Guterres.
Following his election, newly elected CDN President Mr. Cecilio Fernandez thanked the delegates for placing their trust in the new leadership. He reaffirmed his commitment to implementing the CVTL Strategic Plan 2026–2030, strengthening institutional governance, developing volunteers and youth, improving disaster preparedness and response, promoting health and community resilience, and strengthening cooperation with the Government, IFRC, ICRC, National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and development partners.
The 6th National Assembly marked an important moment for CVTL as the organization begins a new four-year leadership mandate. The Assembly provided an opportunity to reflect on the achievements and challenges of the previous period while setting priorities for the organization’s future humanitarian work.
Representatives of the ICRC, IFRC, Australian Red Cross and American Red Cross congratulated CVTL on the successful National Assembly and welcomed the new leadership. They emphasized the importance of organizational unity, effective leadership and continued delivery of humanitarian services to communities across Timor-Leste.
The representatives also expressed their hope that CVTL and its new leadership will continue to grow stronger, strengthen partnerships and make a meaningful difference in the lives of vulnerable communities throughout the country.
The National Assembly concluded with a fellowship dinner bringing together the outgoing and newly elected CDN members, CVTL founders, staff and representatives of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and partners. The gathering provided an opportunity to celebrate the completion of the 6th National Assembly, recognize the contributions of the outgoing leadership and welcome the newly elected leadership for the 2026–2030 term.
With its new leadership in place, CVTL remains committed to strengthening its humanitarian role and ensuring that vulnerable people and communities remain at the heart of its work across Timor-Leste.
For more pictures, please click the attached link.
Day Two: Election of Board Members
