Minister of Commerce and Industry Opens Ceremony Commemorating 50 Years of the Balibo Five Tragedy and Celebration of National Press Freedom Day
Bobonaro-Balibo, October 13, 2025 - The Minister of Commerce and Industry officially opened the ceremony commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Balibo Five tragedy and the celebration of National Press Freedom Day. Simultaneously, the Minister launched the freedom fair, held in the Balibo Administrative Post, Bobonaro Municipality.
In October 2025, we all feel proud because we have managed to overcome a major process that will also mark an important historical moment for Timor-Leste. At this time, our Nation will officially become a Member Nation of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), marking a new stage in Timor-Leste’s journey of development and regional cooperation.
“This also reflects everyone’s participation, not just in the economic area, but also in access to information. In this context, we will hold the opening of a local products fair as part of the commemoration of International World Food Day, to promote national products and increase community awareness about the importance of local products,” said His Excellency the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Nino Pereira, at the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Balibo Five tragedy.
In addition to promoting the local food economy, we all need to come together to strengthen our commitment and stance in whatever professional area we wish to develop.
History serves as a mirror for us to constantly look and reflect on where we came from, where we are, and where we are going.
Furthermore, the Minister also underlined that as Timorese, we need to continue with pride in the beloved land of Timor-Leste, with the vision of living in full freedom.
This freedom is not only political but also economic and in food, so that we can become a sovereign Nation in all aspects.
To achieve these principles, a collective effort from all of us is necessary. It is very important that this serves as a common measure, which can show that we do not run away from reality, but rather learn from experience and make corrections to walk the right path toward development and prosperity.
Before concluding, the Minister expressed gratitude to the Press Council, in collaboration with the Secretary of State for Social Communication (SEKOMS) and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MCI), for organizing this important event.
This event gives us all the opportunity not to forget, but to continue to know and recall the Balibo Five tragedy, which involved five (5) Australian journalists. These journalists died while performing their professional work to provide information to the whole world about the situation in Timor-Leste during that difficult time.
Therefore, an important moment like this also values and recognizes the contribution of journalism to the history of Timor-Leste’s struggle for liberation, until it finally freed itself to become a sovereign Nation, the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste (RDTL).
The event was attended by the Representative of PAM Bobonaro, the President of the Press Council, Directors-General, National Directors, Municipal Directors, and Heads from SEKOMS and MCI, the Administrator of the Balibo Administrative Post, Village Chiefs (Xefe Suku), Hamlet Chiefs (Xefe Aldeia), Journalists from print media, TV, Radio, and online media, Students, and the Community.
