H. E. Inês Maria de Almeida 

Ambassador of Timor-Leste to Australia 

Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste

Her Excellency Inês Almeida has served as Ambassador of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste (DRTL) to Australia since February 2020. Prior to her appointment she held significant roles across various government ministries, including the Office of the President, Mr Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao, the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Finance, and the Secretary of State for Veterans’ Affairs.

Ambassador Almeida’s appointment coincided with the outbreak of COVID 19, and the immediate and urgent focus was to work with Australian Government and other agencies to support test, trace and vaccine programs in Timor Leste, and support for Timor Leste nationals living in Australia.

Since that time Ambassador Almeida has also prioritised connecting Australian businesses and Timor Leste communities to build sustainable fishing and farming practices; advocated for fair wages and conditions for participants in the Labour Mobility Programs; promoted opportunities to build historical tourism based on the military, resistance and peace keeping connections between Australia and Timor Leste; and strengthened the people-to-people and business relationships between the two countries.

Ambassador Almeida was born in Dili, Timor-Leste, but fled to Australia as a refugee with her family during the civil war that erupted in August 1975 and the subsequent occupation of Timor-Leste. This traumatic experience, which occurred when she was just 12 years old, profoundly influenced her staunch advocacy for the independence of Timor-Leste.

In October 1999, twenty-four years after fleeing Timor-Leste, she returned home after voting in the August 1999 independence referendum. Since then, Ambassador Almeida has been involved at senior levels in the Timor-Leste government, focusing on post-conflict governance, reconciliation, and nation-building processes.