The Secretary of State for the Portuguese Communities () is a Portuguese government role under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, overseeing policies for emigrants and the diaspora. It manages consular services, cultural and economic ties, and citizen support abroad, working with embassies, consulates, and diaspora organisations. The position also oversees the Portuguese Communities Council, a consultative body that represents Portuguese citizens abroad and advises the government on emigration and diaspora affairs.
As of 5 April 2024, the current Secretary of State for Portuguese Communities is José Cesário, having previously held the position in the past.
Former names
1976–1978: Secretary of State for Emigration 1978–1979: Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Emigration 1979–1980: Secretary of State for Emigration 1980–1983: Secretary of State for Emigration and the Portuguese Communities 1983–1985: Secretary of State for Emigration 1985–present: Secretary of State for the Portuguese Communities
Holders 1976–1978: João Vieira de Lima 1978–1979: Paulo Ennes 1979–1980: Mário Neves 1980–1981: Manuela Aguiar (first time) 1981–1983: José Vitoriano 1983–1987: Manuela Aguiar (second time) 1987–1991: Manuel Correia de Jesus 1991–1995: Luís Sousa de Macedo 1995–1999: José Lello 1999–2002: João Rui Gaspar de Almeida 2002–2004: José Cesário (first time) 2004–2005: Carlos Gonçalves 2005–2011: António Braga 2011–2015: José Cesário (second time) 2015–2019: José Luís Carneiro 2019–2022: Berta Nunes 2022–2024: Paulo Cafôfo 2024–present: José Cesário (third time)
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