FreeBalance Brings Together Global PFM Leaders in Dili for FISC 2025

FreeBalance Brings Together Global PFM Leaders in Dili for FISC 2025

Ottawa, Canada (April 6, 2025) – FreeBalance, the leading provider of digital advisory and technical implementation services for governments around the world, today announced the opening of the 2025 FreeBalance International Steering Committee (FISC) conference in Dili, Timor-Leste. The five-day forum brings together senior officials, public financial management (PFM) experts, and digital transformation leaders from across the world to explore how innovation in government can deliver better results for citizens.

FISC 2025 is hosted by the Ministry of Finance of Timor-Leste, and runs from April 6 to 10. FISC is a unique, customer-driven event that enables participating governments to exchange experiences of PFM reform, share good practices, and participate in the FreeBalance product and service roadmap development process.

The opening ceremony, held at Hotel Timor, was attended by the Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, H.E. Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, the Minister of Finance, H.E. Santina José Rodrigues F. Viegas Cardoso, and several members of the Cabinet. They were joined by members of the FreeBalance senior leadership team and FISC participants from customer countries across Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America, and Europe.

This year’s theme, Empowering Public Finance through Innovation and Collaboration, focuses on practical ways that governments can improve fiscal performance, transparency, and service delivery using digital tools and strategies. Delegates will take part in a series of workshops and discussions covering topics such as AI in government finance, cloud adoption, GovTech, cybersecurity, and performance-based budgeting.

It is fitting that this year’s event is in Dili, as 2025 marks the 25th anniversary of Timor-Leste’s partnership with FreeBalance.

“It is a privilege for Timor-Leste to host this important gathering—a platform that brings together practitioners and experts committed to advancing public financial management worldwide. For over twenty years, FreeBalance has been a trusted partner in our nation’s journey toward fiscal transparency, accountability, and good governance. Together, we have implemented innovative solutions that have strengthened our institutions and empowered our citizens through greater access to information,” said Minister Cardoso.

“FISC is a strategic forum where governments shape the future of public finance together,” said Manuel Schiappa Pietra, President and CEO of FreeBalance. “As a purpose-led company, we are proud to work with our global community of customers to support public financial management reform that improves lives and builds trust. It is an honour to celebrate the 25th anniversary of our partnership here in Dili, and we are grateful to Minister Cardoso and her colleagues at the Ministry of Finance for hosting this important event.”

FreeBalance partners with governments around the world to improve public finance, governance, and service delivery. Its unified government technology platform and expert services help countries implement integrated, citizen-centric, and digital-first approaches to managing budgets, expenditures, accounting, human resources, and more. Attendees at FISC 2025 include representatives from more than 20 countries across Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America, and Europe.

FISC delegates and members of the global FreeBalance team were honoured to be joined by Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão (seated centre) and Minister of Finance Santina José Rodrigues F. Viegas Cardoso (seated to the Prime Minister’s left)