Locations“Strengthening Decentralization and Citizen-Centered Governance in Timor-Leste through Expanded One-Stop Services”
Balkaun Úniku/OSS Expands to Aileu and Manufahi Municipalities
August 25, 2025
UNDP Resident Representative Ms. Katyna Argueta, H.E. Minister of State Administration Mr. Tomás do Rosário Cabral, and H.E. Minister of Justice Dr. Sérgio Hornai officiating the inauguration of the Balkaun Úniku (One-Stop Shop) Office in Aileu Municipality, marking a milestone in strengthening decentralized public service delivery.
Joao Crisostomo/ UNDP Timor-Leste
Aileu/Manufahi, 15 August 2025 - The Government of Timor-Leste, through the Ministry of State Administration (MSA), in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Municipal Authorities of Aileu and Manufahi, has officially launched the Balkaun Úniku/One-Stop Shop (OSS), bringing citizens closer to efficient, transparent, and accessible public services.
This expansion marks a significant step in decentralizing service delivery, ensuring that communities in rural and urban areas alike can access key administrative services without lengthy travel or bureaucratic delays. The inauguration in Aileu and Manufahi follows the successful establishment of OSS in Manatuto, Baucau, Atauro, and Liquiçá, demonstrating the government’s firm commitment to improving service delivery nationwide. The next phase of expansion will include Covalima and Oecusse, expected later this year, bringing the initiative closer to full national coverage.
The implementation of the Balkaun Úniku initiative is part of the IX Constitutional Government’s institutional reform program and directly supports the Strategic Development Plan 2011–2030, which prioritizes good governance, decentralization, and citizen-centered service delivery as key pillars for sustainable development. The program aims to modernize and strengthen state institutions, ensuring that local authorities are empowered to provide quality services closer to the people. UNDP’s support for the OSS initiative is in line with its global mission to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities, and build resilient nations. By partnering with the Government of Timor-Leste, UNDP contributes to advancing inclusive governance, institutional capacity, and sustainable development - ensuring that no one is left behind.
This building, formerly the Aileu Administration Council during the Portuguese era, was constructed by the Portuguese government. Today, it stands as one of Timor-Leste’s recognized historical heritage sites, preserved and repurposed by the Government of Timor-Leste as part of the nation’s patrimony.
Joao Crisostomo/ UNDP Timor-Leste
INAUGURATION IN AILEU MUNICIPALITY
The establishment of the Balkaun Úniku in Aileu Municipality reflects the government’s efforts to strengthen local governance in one of Timor-Leste’s more rural and mountainous regions, where communities have often faced barriers to accessing state services. With the new OSS, citizens no longer need to travel to Dili to process vital documents, helping to reduce costs and strengthen trust in local institutions.
UNDP Resident Representative, Ms. Katyna Argueta, emphasized: “Today’s inauguration of the Balkaun Uniku in Aileu is not merely the opening of a physical structure, but a symbol of the Government of Timor-Leste’s commitment to advancing social justice, ensuring access to public services, and supporting the inclusion of the most vulnerable. This initiative aims to guarantee that all Timorese citizens have access to the quality public administration services they deserve.”
UNDP Resident Representative Ms. Katyna Argueta delivering her intervention at the inauguration of the Balkaun Úniku in Aileu, highlighting UNDP’s mission to promote social justice, strengthen access to public services, and support the inclusion of the most vulnerable in line with the UN’s commitment to “leave no one behind.”
Joao Crisostomo/ UNDP Timor-Leste
H.E. Minister of Justice, Mr. Sergio Hornai, noted: “Especially for our partners and international agencies working with us, this represents a strong contribution to Timor-Leste’s development in the area of decentralization policy. It is a great honor for the Ministry of Justice, together with the Ministry of State Administration and other institutions, to align with the IX Constitutional Government Programme, making every effort to bring state public administration closer to our communities, particularly in the delivery of services at the local level.”
H.E. Minister of Justice Mr. Sérgio Hornai delivering his remarks during the inauguration of the Balkaun Úniku (One-Stop Shop) in Aileu Municipality, emphasizing the Government’s commitment to decentralization and bringing quality public services closer to the people.
Joao Crisostomo/ UNDP Timor-Leste
H.E. Minister of State Administration, Mr. Tomas do Rosario Cabral, added: “For the people of Aileu, this is a meaningful contribution to local development. Suco chiefs can now organize and inform their communities that any documents they need can be processed here. For public officials who do not yet have an identity card, this office can serve as an example for others. This Balkaun Uniku belongs to all of us - it is the government’s service for the people.”
The first issuance of the national identity card at the Balkaun Úniku (One-Stop Shop) in Aileu, witnessed by H.E. Vice-Minister of State Administration Mr. Jacinto Rigoberto G. de Deus, H.E. Minister of State Administration Mr. Tomás do Rosário Cabral, H.E. Minister of Higher Education, Science and Culture Dr. José Honório, along with distinguished representatives and technical staff.
Joao Crisostomo/ UNDP Timor-Leste
INAUGURATION IN MANUFAHI MUNICIPALITY
In Manufahi Municipality, the Balkaun Úniku brings new opportunities for citizens living in a largely coastal and agricultural region, where distance and transportation costs have traditionally limited access to essential administrative services. By hosting the OSS locally, Manufahi residents can now process documents directly in their municipality, saving both time and money while strengthening decentralized governance.
UNDP Resident Representative, Ms. Katyna Argueta, reiterated UNDP’s commitment: “The inauguration of the Balkaun Uniku in Manufahi represents the Government of Timor-Leste’s commitment to promoting social justice, ensuring access to public services, and supporting the inclusion of the most vulnerable. This initiative seeks to guarantee that every Timorese citizen has access to the quality public administration services they deserve.”
On the same day in Manufahi, UNDP Resident Representative Ms. Katyna Argueta, H.E. Vice-Minister of Justice Mr. Paulo Manuel da S. dos Remédios, H.E. Minister of State Administration Mr. Tomás do Rosário Cabral, and H.E. Vice-Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Mr. Adérito Hugo da Costa officiated the inauguration of the Balkaun Úniku (One-Stop Shop) building with a symbolic ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Joao Crisostomo/ UNDP Timor-Leste
H.E. Vice-Minister for Institutional Strengthening, Mr. Paulo Manuel da S. dos Remédios, stressed the citizen impact: “Now, people can submit their requests in one place and receive their documents in one place. They no longer need to spend money to travel to Dili in the future, because all documents will be delivered here. Decentralization is extremely important for all municipalities. I express my deep gratitude for the collaboration with UNDP, a visible partnership that has succeeded in bringing benefits to our people.”
H.E. Minister of State Administration, Mr. Tomas do Rosario Cabral, highlighted the institutional framework: “The establishment of the Balkaun Uniku stems from Decree-Law No. 84/2023, of 23 November, concerning the appointment of Municipal Authorities. In its provisions, it states that the Government, through the Prime Minister and State Secretariats, can establish inter-organizational agreements to delegate responsibilities to municipalities. This means bringing governance closer to the people. I also extend my gratitude to UNDP, which has supported us in rehabilitating all these facilities. This year, we are implementing across the country, and in the coming years, we will also establish modernization centers for public administration.”
H.E. Minister of State Administration Mr. Tomás do Rosário Cabral delivering his remarks during the inauguration of the Balkaun Úniku (One-Stop Shop) in Manufahi Municipality, emphasizing the Government’s decentralization policy and the importance of bringing governance and quality public services closer to the people.
Joao Crisostomo/ UNDP Timor-Leste
By reducing waiting times and centralizing key procedures, the OSS enables citizens to dedicate more time to education, livelihoods, and family needs rather than navigating administrative hurdles. It also creates new employment opportunities, strengthens municipal coordination, and builds trust between citizens and the state.
In Manufahi, the inauguration of the Balkaun Úniku (One-Stop Shop) marked an important step in strengthening decentralized governance, bringing together diverse stakeholders - including the Government, local authorities, and community representatives - in a collective effort to improve access to public services.
Joa Crisostomo/ UNDP Timor-Leste
The inauguration ceremonies were attended by the Minister of State Administration, the Minister of Justice, the Vice-Minister for Institutional Strengthening, the UNDP Resident Representative, municipal leaders of Aileu and Manufahi, and community representatives and stakeholders.
The OSS program is a cornerstone of Timor-Leste’s broader governance reforms. With each new center, the government and its partners reaffirm their commitment to transparency, accessibility, and modernization of public services.
For further information or media inquiries regarding OSS/Balkaun Úniku, please contact:
Julio Amaral Guterres
Communication Officer, UNDP Timor-Leste
julio.amaral.guterres@undp.org
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