United Nations in Timor-Leste

The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in Timor-Leste:

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21 September 2023

Avansa to’o 2030 - Opsaun no Oportunidade ba Timor-Leste

Iha tinan 2015, governu sira husi nasaun hotu-hotu, sosiedade sivíl no umanidade tomak foti esforsu boot ida hodi adopta Objetivu Dezenvolvimentu Sustentavel (ODS) - ambisiozu, haree ba oin, no atu hetan liuhusi parseria no konsensu - ho objetivu atu hasai ema husi kiak, hamenus dezigualdade, no rezolve kestaun sira seluk ne'ebé limita ita-nia potensialidade; atu proteje ita-nia planeta, ita-nia uma, husi mudansa klimátika no dezastre sira ne'ebé kauza husi ema; atu hetan prosperidade ba ema hotu-hotu, hamenus dezigualdade, hamenus modelu konsumu, promove igualdade no justisa, atu nune'e ema hotu-hotu, maske iha sira-nia sirkunstánsia, Bele moris no moris-di'ak; promove ko-ezisténsia pasifika no mundu ida-ne'ebé la iha konflitu; no buat hotu-hotu ne'ebé sei realiza liuhusi parseria - hanesan, respeitu, la iha diferensa bazeia ba nasaun ida-ne'ebé boot, ho ema hotu-hotu iha lian no partisipasaun iha futuru. Semana ida-ne'e iha Nova Iorke, hahú husi 16 Setembru 2023, mundu ne'e halibur fali hodi marka pontu balun husi ODS sira no diskute dalan sira atu aselera implementasaun ODS sira-ne'e. No ho konkluzaun ne'ebé triste teb-tebes katak ita la'o sai husi dalan atu atinje ODS sira. Iha mundu tomak, iha pandemia COVID, ne'ebé taka mundu, estraga ekonomia no hatudu ita-nia interligasaun; funu foun sira ne'ebé sa'e maka'as; susar ba multilaterizmu no konsensu atu rezolve krize sira ne'ebé urjente liu iha mundu; ameasa emerjente sira husi governu sira ne'ebé eleitu demokrátiku; falta konfiansa ba governu sira ne'ebé eleitu; intoleránsia ne'ebé aumenta maka'as; todan ba tusan boot; dezempregu no inkapasidade atu absorve foin-sa'e sira ba ekonomia. Ita haree hela problema ida-ne'ebé boot kona-ba direitus umanus ne'ebé ita hotu hanoin rezolve ona; diseminasaun notísia falsu no informasaun ne'ebé la loos liu husi média sosiál sira, ho ideolojia perigozu sira sai hanesan "faktu"; Tragédia sira ne'ebé hamosu mudansa klimátika ne'ebé la iha rohan no klaru katak la iha satisfasaun ho asuntu globál no dezigualdade sira ne'ebé aumenta - iha nasaun sira-nia laran, entre nasaun sira no ema sira-nia laran. Tuir mai iha númeru ne'ebé boot katak sei lori tinan 500 tan atu alkansa igualdade jéneru no haree duni feto no labarik-feto sira hanesan ema ho direitu hanesan. Maski la iha tempu ne'ebé di'ak liu atu moris - teknolojia aprezenta ona oportunidade no transformasaun ne'ebé hakfodak hodi inventa, inovasaun, ligasaun, ne'ebé la eziste de'it iha tinan 50 liubá; iha labarik barak liu ba eskola kompara ho tempu ne’ebé deit iha istória; demokrasia barak liu; muda norma sosiál ne'ebé la'o ba oin no bazeia ba direitu. Ita haree ona aumentu iha Artifisiál Intelijénsia no oportunidade sira ne'ebé aprezenta ona, konsensu globál ne'ebé boot tebes no hakarak loloos atu salva ita-nia planeta; oportunidade foun sira ba kreximentu ekonómiku ne'ebé di'ak no sustentavel no emerjénsia husi bloku podér foun sira iha Global Sul, ko'alia no dezafia ba injustisa istórika sira, enkuantu ezije fatin ne'ebé justu liu - iha negosiasaun finanseira sira, inklui reestruturasaun instituisaun finansiamentu globál sira, iha komérsiu no justisa klimátika. Sira ne'ebé sempre iha direitu marjinál - feto, LGBQTI+, ema ho defisiénsia, joven - hotu-hotu luta hasoru violénsia no diskriminasaun. Hanesan Exelensia, Prezidente Repúblika, Jose Ramos-Horta, envolve hela iha konversasaun globál no pozisaun lideransa Timor-Leste nian iha Nova Iorke ba Simeira ODS nian, ne'e mak tempu di'ak atu reflete kona-ba oportunidade sira ba tinan 7 oin mai. Ha'u-nia fiar dezde ha'u to'o iha Timor-Leste fulan 9 liubá, no hafoin dekade rua hetan independénsia no dedikasaun atu harii fali nasaun ida-ne'ebé destruída, mak Timor-Leste hanesan nasaun ida-ne'ebé iha oportunidade atu avansa no atinje kreximentu dezenvolvimentu ba ajenda 2030 nian. Timor-Leste, maske iha istória ida-ne'ebé difisil, pasífiku no estavel, ho lideransa ida-ne'ebé konfia, ne'ebé hili husi eleisaun regulár no la-kontroversiál ida ho eleisaun parlamentár ikus ne'ebé hetan susesu iha nasaun ne'e no estabelesimentu governu konstitusionál IX ne'ebé lidera husi S.E., Primeiru-Ministru Xanana Gusmão. Timor-Leste kontinua hatudu respeitu ba direitus umanus, iha instituisaun sira ne'ebé forte, inklui governasaun, nia pozisaun no influénsia iha asuntu internasionál maske ho nia dimensaun, membru ida-ne'ebé iha valór no adere ba padraun internasionál liu husi membru Nasoins Unidas, CPLP, fundador/membru g7+, relasaun bilaterál forte ho nasaun sira iha mundu tomak, no nia estatutu observador atuál ASEAN nian. Nia iha rekursu sira hosi Fundu Petróleu ne'ebé jere didi'ak, atu koko solusaun inovativu sira ba dezenvolvimentu. Timor-Leste mós sai hanesan nasaun primeiru entre nasaun sira seluk ne'ebé kompromete ona ba Ajenda Dezenvolvimentu Sustentavel tinan 2030 no hahú kedas, nasaun ne'e halo ona revizaun nasionál voluntáriu rua (VNR), ne'ebé foin lalais ne'e aprezenta ona iha Forum Politiku Nivel Aas (HLPF) iha fulan Jullu tinan ida-ne'e. Maibé, iha kestaun boot sira ne'ebé presiza rezolve. Enkuantu fokus ne'ebé loos mak kona-ba saida mak asuntu sira-ne'e - taxa kreximentu ne'ebé aas ba kapitál umanu husi tinan 2002 to'o 2022; 70% dependénsia ba importasaun ai-han, 40% dezempregu, 48.3% pobreza multidimensional ne'ebé agrava inseguransa ai-han no taxa malnutrisaun ne'ebé aas, 47% husi labarik sira ne'ebé seidauk to'o tinan 5 sofre stunting, rezultadu edukasaun ne'ebé fraku, dezafiu ba infraestrutura no konetividade, seidauk iha fokus sufisiente ba “oinsá” - sistema revizaun kona-ba oinsá dezafiu hotu-hotu nia interasaun, liu husi aproximasaun integradu no koordenadu. Ida ne'e atu orienta oinsá rekursu sira implementa la'ós de'it atu alkansa efisiénsia no efikásia, maibé atu eskala intervensaun sira liuhusi solusaun sira ne'ebé sei rezulta rezultadu eskala, nesesáriu atu alkansa ODS sira. Dezafiu la'ós atu identifika problema sira, maibé atu identifika sistema saida mak presiza troka no oinsá atu intervén ho diferente. Iha dalan balun ne'ebé Timor-Leste bele avansa no halo iha tinan 7 oin mai. Primeiru, estabelese objetivu dezenvolvimentu, inklui apoiu husi asisténsia dezenvolvimentu, tenke koordena maka'as iha lideransa governu nian okos. Aprosimasaun ida-ne'ebé integradu husi parseiru governu/dezenvolvimentu sira hotu ne'ebé koordena ona ba planeamentu, prioritiza, identifika populasaun no munisípiu sira ne'ebé presiza liu, orientasaun finansiamentu no eskala tenke sai nu'udar prioridade absoluta. Porezemplu, planeamentu no intervensaun sira kona-ba uma rurál sira labele hala'o sein análize integradu kona-ba oinsá atu fornese uma rurál sira mós bele uza atu alkansa asesu ba bee, saneamentu, asesu ba kuidadu saúde no edukasaun, uza dadus no evidénsia ne'ebé forte kona-ba saida mak funsiona, inklui atrai tipu investimentu no teknolojia oin-oin hodi alkansa meta sira. Esforsu atu hamenus mortalidade labarik no inan nian, inklui hamenus malnutrisaun no stunting, tenke iha pelumenus empoderamentu feto nian. Porezemplu, iha estimativa katak feto isin-rua hamutuk 40,000 kada tinan iha Timor-Leste, no ho koordenasaun, planeamentu no alokasaun ne'ebé loos ho valór USD28M kada tinan, feto hamutuk 28,000 ne'ebé reprezenta 70% sei simu kuidadu ante-natal, ema na'in 32,000 ne'ebé reprezenta 80% sei hetan atende husi asistente partu ne'ebé iha kualifikasaun, ema na'in 36,000 ne'ebé reprezenta 90% sei simu kuidadu pos-natal no asesu ba servisu planeamentu familiár ne'ebé sei lori ba alkansa objetivu sira husi ODS kona-ba mortalidade inan nian hamutuk 70/100,000 mortalidade inan iha 2030 no se feto sira simu planeamentu familiár hodi loke espasu ba oan, sei hamenus stunting 50%. Planeamentu dezenvolvimentu ida-ne'ebé koordena sei rekere konsisténsia, espesializasaun téknika adisionál ne'ebé ajénsia ONU sira lori ba meza no tenke halo ho instituisaun governu relevante hotu-hotu, parseiru dezenvolvimentu bilaterál no ajénsia ONU - atu hala'o planeamentu konjuntu, identifika responsabilidade sira bazeia ba vantajen komparativu, identifika fonte finansiamentu, oinsá atu atrai finansiamentu adisionál, konkorda hamutuk kona-ba saida mak atu halo, oinsá atu halo monitorizasaun no importante liu, saida mak sei atinje eskala. Segundu, oportunidade ba finansiamentu ba dezenvolvimentu labele depende de'it ba finansiamentu públiku. Tenke identifika fonte finansiamentu seluk ba objetivu dezenvolvimentu nian iha maneira koerente, estratéjiku no kona alvu. Enkuantu orsamentu governu nian ba tinan 5 oin mai identifika ona prioridade no orsamentu sira, ida-ne'e mesak de'it labele finansia realizasaun ODS sira-nian. Sei iha nafatin nesesidade atu halo kustu finansiamentu hodi alkansa ODS sira iha períodu tinan 7 nia laran no finansiamentu adisionál saida mak bele hetan asesu. Ida ne'e sei la'ós de'it fo rezultadu lalais no kresimentu ekonómiku maibé sei garante estabilidade ba Fundu Petroliferu. ONU iha istoriku iha konvoka konversasaun kona-ba finansiamentu inovativu, inklui kona-ba finansiamentu bazeia ba rezultadu, iha ne'ebé investidór sira selu fali governu ba rezultadu espesífiku sira kona-ba edukasaun no alvu saúde nian. Diálogu hirak-ne'e atu halibur parseiru tradisionál no investidór privadu sira, instituisaun finansiamentu multilaterál sira kona-ba identifika fatin ne'ebé mak iha sentidu atu investe iha Timor-Leste, la'ós de'it atu kria empregu maibé atu kria emprezariedade lokál (franchising, cadeia de valór, asesu ba teknolojia, rekursu, abilidade, dijitalizasaun) ne'ebé sei responde ba dezafiu sosiál sira. Konversasaun sira-ne'e mós sei identifika dalan konkretu ba investimentu no finansiamentu, ho objetivu klaru no vontade polítika ne'ebé forte, atu hasai bloku sira-ne'e. Porezemplu, PNUD dezenvolve ona mapa investidór ODS ba nasaun sira iha Azia (Malazia, Tailandia, Sri Lanka, etc.), ajuda governu sira-ne'e atu identifika oportunidade ba investimentu privadu sira atu alkansa ODS no identifika investidór privadu/sosial potensiál sira, enkuantu suporta governu sira atu kria ambiente ida-ne'ebé bele fasilita. Terseiru, tenke iha esforsu konsultadu ida no rekursu inisial sira ba dijitalizasaun no abilidade sira ne'ebé liga ho kriasaun empregu. Planu kona-ba kriasaun empregu ba foin-sa'e sira tenke foka liu ba kriasaun empregu dijitál sira. Planu ne'e tenke dezeña bazeia ba enkuadramentu adaptativu ida atu identifika abilidade téknika no dijitál ne'ebé presiza no númeru ema ne'ebé disponivel ba abilidade hirak-ne'e, atu aselera kapasitasaun ekonómika, rekoñese dezafiu kontinu sira iha sistema no infraestrutura sira, dezenvolve enkuadramentu formasaun tékniku no dijitál ida, hahú husi inisiu, identifika iha ne'ebé mak abilidade hirak-ne'e sei implementa no sustenta no sistema monitorizasaun ida-ne'ebé forte ne'ebé deliberadu - mak planu ne'e bele lao? Ba dala haat, protesaun ba direitus umanus no dezigualdade sira ne'ebé iha ligasaun tenke sai sentrál ba foti desizaun kona-ba dezenvolvimentu. Asesu ba servisu ho kualidade no abilidade atu iha abilidade no instrumentu atu hadi'a kondisaun moris, liuliu ba ema ne'ebé vulneravel liu, nu'udar direitu fundamentál ne'ebé sidadaun sira tenke iha kbiit atu ezije, no governu nu'udar ema ne'ebé kaer devér, tenke fornese hanesan baze atu alkansa objetivu dezenvolvimentu no kria pás sustentavel ho maneira inkluzivu no la-diskriminatoriu. Ikusliu, buat hotu iha leten labele akontese sein reforma governasaun - setór públiku ida-ne'ebé ativu, kapasitadu no adekuadu ho kapasidade atu orienta desizaun polítika sira, maibé konsistente no apolitiku nafatin. Sistema jestaun finanseira públiku ida-ne'ebé halo monitorizasaun ba despeza governu nian ne'ebé hale'u alkansa meta sira no la'ós de'it despeza no prestasaun servisu sira no permite foti desizaun lalais iha nivel foti desizaun ne'ebé aas liu, suporta mudansa lalais iha aprosimasaun sira bainhira presiza no hamenus duplikasaun la'ós de'it atividade sira maibé iha funsaun no instituisaun sira. Ha'u hakarak atu ramata ho subliña dalan balun ne'ebé ONU no ninia ajénsia espesializada sira bele kontinua fó apoiu ba governu no povu Timor-Leste hodi alkansa ODS sira. ONU nia vantajen komparativu mak iha nia baze koñesimentu ne'ebé luan husi Timor-Leste no globalmente, atu fornese konsellu polítika imparsiál no neutral, inklui uza bid data (hanesan sensus). Ajénsia ONU nian, iha koordenasaun husi Koordenador Rezidente ida-ne'ebé iha kapasidade, bele fó apoiu ba governu hodi fasilita finansiamentu adisionál, inklui liuhusi investimentu sosiál sira, atu konvoka fasilita parseria rejionál no globál sira, eskala projetu pilotu sira- kona-ba saúde, nutrisaun, transformasaun sistema ai-han, hapara stuntung labarik sira no mortalidade inan no iha fornesimentu abilidade sira kona-ba kriasaun empregu. ONU nia papél normativu no apoiu ba governu nu'udar xave atu asegura katak governu kontinua kumpre nia responsabilidade direitus umanus, promove igualdade jéneru no empoderamentu feto sira-nian, no mós halo relatóriu kona-ba konvensaun ONU nian ne'ebé Timor-Leste asina - hotu-hotu importante atu fasilita realizasaun Programa Governu IX nian ne'ebé lori ba ODS.

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21 September 2023

Leapfrogging into 2030 – Options and Opportunities for Timor-Leste

In 2015, governments of all nations, civil society, and humanity as a whole took a giant stride by adopting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) - ambitious, forward-looking, and to be achieved through partnerships and consensus - with the aim of lifting people out of poverty, reducing inequalities, and addressing other issues that limit our potential; of safeguarding our planet, our only home, from climate change and human-induced disasters; of achieving prosperity for all, reducing inequalities, rebalancing consumption patterns, promoting equity and justice so that all individuals, regardless of their circumstances at birth, can thrive and prosper; fostering peaceful coexistence and a world without conflicts; and all of this to be accomplished through partnerships – equal, respectful, without distinctions based on the size of a country, with everyone having a voice and a stake in the future. This week in New York, from 16 September 2023, the world is again gathering to mark the halfway point of the SDGs and discuss ways in which to accelerate the implementation of the SDGs. And within the backdrop of the very depressing conclusion that we are completely off-track in achieving the SDGs. Globally, there has been the COVID pandemic, which shut down the world, ruined economies and demonstrated starkly our interconnectedness; new and escalating wars; the rising distrust of multilateralism and consensus to resolve the world’s most urgent crises; the emerging threats of the overthrowing of democratically elected governments; increasing lack of confidence in elected governments; growing intolerance; huge debts burden; unemployment and inability to absorb young people into economies. We are witnessing a growing backlash on human rights that we all thought were settled; dissemination of fake news and misinformation through social media, with dangerous ideologies becoming ‘facts’; unending climate change-induced tragedies and clearly a dissatisfaction with global state of affairs and growing inequalities – within countries, among countries and within people. Then there is the grim figure that it would take us another 500 years to achieve gender equality and truly see women and girls as human beings with equal rights. Even with all the bleakness around us, there is no better time to be alive – technology has presented astounding opportunities and transformation to invent, innovate, connect, that did not exist just 50 years ago; there are more children in school than any time in history; more democracies; changing of social norms that are more progressive and rights-based. We have seen the rise of Artificial Intelligence and the opportunities it presents, the overwhelming global consensus and genuine desire to save our planet; new opportunities for green and sustainable economic growth and the emergency of new blocs of power in the Global South, speaking up and challenging historical injustices, while demanding fairer playing ground – in financial negotiations, including for the restructuring of global financing institutions, on trade and on climate justice. Those whose rights have always been marginal – women, LGBQTI+, people with disabilities, young people – are all fighting back, against violence and discrimination. As His Excellency, the President of the Republic, Jose Ramos-Horta, is engaging in the global conversations and positioning Timor-Leste’s leadership in New York for the SDG Summit, this is a good time to reflect on the opportunities for the next 7 years. My belief since I got to Timor Leste 9 months ago, and after two decades of independence and dedicated rebuilding of a then wrecked country, is that Timor-Leste is one of the few countries with the opportunities to leapfrog and achieve development growth in time for the 2030 agenda. Timor-Leste, despite a difficult history, is peaceful and stable, with a trusted leadership, enabled by regular and uncontroversial elections with the country’s last successful parliamentary elections and the establishment of the IX constitutional government under the leadership of HE, Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao. Timor-Leste continues to demonstrate respect for human rights, has strong institutions, including for governance, its position and influence in international affairs despite its size, a valued member and adherent to international standards through membership of United Nations, the CPLP, founder/member of g7+, strong bilateral relations with countries across the world, and its current observer status of ASEAN. It has the resources from a properly managed Petroleum Trust Fund, to test innovative solutions to development. Timor-Leste was also among the first countries to commit to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and since then, the country has conducted two voluntary national reviews (VNR), the latest of which was presented at the High-level Political Forum (HLPF) in July of this year. There are, however, major issues that will need to be addressed. While the focus rightly has been on the ‘what’ of the issues – a flat rate of growth for human capital from 2002 to 2022; 70% dependency on food imports, 40% rate of unemployment, 48.3% multidimensional poverty that aggravates food insecurity and a high malnutrition rates, 47% of children under 5 suffering from stunting, poor education outcomes, challenging infrastructure and connectivity, there has not been enough focus on the ‘how’ – systems review on how all the challenges interact, through an integrated and coordinated approach. This is to guide how resources are deployed to not just achieve efficiency and effectiveness, but in scaling up interventions through solutions that will result in scale of outcomes, necessary to achieve the SDGs. The challenge is not about identifying the problems, but in identifying what systems need to change and how to intervene differently. There are a few ways in which Timor-Leste can leapfrog and make the next 7 years count. First, setting development objectives, including support from development assistance, must be strongly coordinated under government leadership. An integrated and whole of government/development partners coordinated approach to planning, prioritizing, identifying the most in need populations and municipalities, guiding financing and scale must be an absolute priority. For example, planning and interventions on rural housing cannot be undertaken without an integrated analysis of how the provision of rural housing can also be used to simultaneously achieve rural access to water, sanitation, access to health care and education, using strong data and evidence of what works, including attracting different types of investments and technology to achieve the goals. Efforts at reducing child and maternal mortality, including reducing malnutrition and stunting, must have at the very least, women’s empowerment at its core. For example, there are an estimated 40,000 pregnant women per annum in Timor-Leste, and with right coordination, planning and allocation of USD28M a year, 28,000 women representing 70% will receive ante-natal care, 32,000 representing 80% will be attended to by skilled birth attendant, 36,000 representing 90% will receive post-natal care and access to family planning services which will lead to achievement of SDG targets on maternal mortality of 70/100,000 maternal mortality by 2030 and if the women receive family planning to space their children, will reduce stunting by 50%. A coordinated development planning will require consistency, additional technical expertise of which UN agencies bring to the table and must be done with all relevant government institutions, bilateral development partners and UN agencies – to undertake joint planning, identify responsibilities based on comparative advantage, identify sources of funding, how to attract additional financing, agree jointly on what to track, how to track and most importantly, what will achieve scale. Second, opportunities for financing for development must not only rely on public finance. Other sources of financing for development goals must be identified in a coherent, strategic and targeted way. While the government budget for the next 5 years has identified priorities and budget, this alone cannot finance the achievement of the SDGs. There will still be a need to undertake the cost of/financing for achieving the SDGs within a 7-year period and what additional financing can be accessed/mobilized. This will not only fast-track results and economic growth but will ensure stability for the Petroleum Fund. UN has a track record in convening conversations around innovative financing, including on outcome-based financing, where investors repay the government for the achievements of specific outcomes on education and health targets. These dialogues are to bring together traditional partners and private investors, multilateral financing institutions on identifying where it makes sense to invest in Timor-Leste, not just to create jobs but to create local entrepreneurship (franchising, value-chains, access to technology, resources, skills, digitalization) that will concurrently address social challenges. The conversations would also identify concrete roadblocks to investments and financing, with clear targets and strong political will, to remove the blocks. For example, UNDP has developed SDG Investor Maps for countries in Asia (Malaysia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, etc.), helping these governments identify opportunities for private investments to achieve SDGs and identifying potential private/social investors while supporting governments to create an enabling environment. Third, there must be a concerted effort and seed resources for digitalization and skills linked to job creation. A plan around job creation for young people must be centred on creating digital jobs. The plan must be designed around an adaptive framework in identifying the technical and digital skills needed and the number of people available for these skills, to accelerate economic empowerment, recognizing the perennial challenges in systems and infrastructure, developing a technical and digital skills training framework, from the start, identifying where these skills would be deployed and sustained and a strong monitoring system that is deliberate – is the plan working? Fourth, the protection of human rights and bridging inequalities must be central to decision-making around development. Accessing quality services and ability to have the skills and tools to improve livelihoods, especially for the most vulnerable, are fundamental rights that citizens must be able to demand, and the government as duty bearers, must provide as the foundation for achieving development objectives and engendering sustainable peace in an inclusive and non-discriminatory way. Finally, all the above cannot happen without governance reforms – an agile, capacitated and fit-for-purpose public sector with the ability to guide political decisions while remaining consistent and apolitical. A public financial management system that tracks government spending around achievement of targets and not just expenditure and delivery of services and enables quick decision-making at the highest level of decision making, supporting quick changes in approaches when necessary and reduction in duplication of not just activities but in functions and institutions. I would like to end by re-emphasizing some ways in which the UN and its specialized agencies can continue to support the government and people of Timor-Leste in achieving SDGs. UN's comparative advantage lies in its extensive knowledge base from Timor-Leste and globally, to provide impartial and neutral policy advice, including using big data (census for example). UN agencies, under the coordination of an empowered Resident Coordinator, can support the government to facilitate additional financing, including through social investments, to convene facilitate regional and global partnerships, scaling up pilot projects– on health, nutrition, food systems transformation, ending child stunting and maternal mortality and in the provision of skills on job creation. UN’s normative role and support to government are key to ensuring the government continues to fulfil its human rights accountability, promotes gender equality and empowerment of women while also reporting on UN conventions of which Timor-Leste is a signatory – all critical to enabling the achievement of the IX Government Programme leading to the SDGs.

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10 May 2022

Solidarity to End Violence

Viqueque, Timor-Leste. The two-day ‘Do No Harm’ workshop on ethical and safe approach when responding to cases of gender-based violence (GBV) was held on March 30, 31 in Viqueque, Timor-Leste. The ‘Do No Harm’ workshop aims to promote better understanding of the nature of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) which interlinks with mental health of the survivors, and supports local communities to adopt ‘Do No Harm’ approach, namely ethical and safe method when respond to cases of VAWG. The workshop has been conducted in three municipalities, Bobonaro, Ermera and Viqueque, lectured by Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), local authorities and Justice Institutions that work closely on VAWG and GBV. At the seminar, the participants including school teachers and students are encouraged to share their experiences when dealing with GBV cases and survivors, and discuss about how they can improve local community to response and prevent the VAWG. Irene Kobesi works as the PNTL (Policia National Timor-Leste) First Sergeant in Vulnerable Person Unit (VPU), supporting survivors of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). She said “I participated in the ‘Do No Harm’ workshop, because, as a VPU officer, my duty is to protect women and girls.” At the workshop, interconnections between VAWG and mental health of the survivors were underlined to understand the wider perspective of VAWG: survivors are harmed not only when they received violence, but also when they receive indiscreet questions about the sexual violence during the judicial process. https://youtu.be/ilSYHxHS7Cc During the seminar, it was emphasized that people’s better understandings of VAWG and cooperation from local authorities are necessary to eliminate VAWG at the community level. Maria Odete do Amaral, a Chief of Village in Viqueque, stated “I really wanted to join this seminar because this is essential for me as a community leader. I can share what I learned in this seminar with my community, and those who experienced violence, mostly women and girls.” While “Prevention of domestic violence can start from family. If we have knowledge in VAWG, domestic violence can be prevented in the early stage. If we solve family issue with violence, our children never learn how to solve problem without violence” addressed by Jose Delima, a Coordinator of Public Defender. In Timor-Leste, climate change also exacerbates cases of VAWG. In the interview, Irene shared her experience in the flash floods during March 29th -April 4th 2021, resulted in disastrous landslide that produced more than 15,000 internally displaced people right after the disaster. “Last year, we experienced the catastrophic flood. Some people were traumatized, because they didn’t have place to live, and experienced violence from their partners. We provided support to those who suffered from both flood and violence. If their houses are not safe to live, we contacted local authorities to provide them an emergency shelter.” To respond and prevent VAWG, a bottom-up approach to adopt ‘Do No Harm’ at the community level is essential, because the causes of the violence are deeply connected to the social context of Timor-Leste. “Together, we can end violence against women and girls” concluded Irene. By Fidelia Mendonca, Ayumi Kimura

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Irene Kobesi, a police officer working with the Vulnerable Person’s Unit (VPU). She joined the ‘Do No Harm’ seminar to strengthen her knowledge of ‘Do No Harm’ approach. Photo: UNDP/ Ayumi Kimura

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18 April 2022

Historical insights, sustainable and inclusive development: What they might mean for us now and for the future

An essential first step is perhaps to help people clearly define what type of national development people of Timor-Leste would like to see in their country The United Nations is here to support the government and the people of Timor-Leste. The SDGs and 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development offer evidenced-based and solution-based directions for an inclusive, prosperous and sustainable future for all.
With the second round of the Presidential Elections imminent, it has been an interesting and exciting past week, thinking about now as well as the future of the country. Irrespective of the people’s decision for either of the candidates, the President’s ‘father-of-the-nation’ role entails a key guiding role that contributes to strengthening the economy, political systems, collaborations, and reconciliation in the wake of the COVID-19 fallout and critical development challenges facing the country.
In the past week, I had the privilege of joining an exciting and insightful online webinar featuring an interview with Professor Jeffrey Sachs on Accelerating Progress on SDGs in Malaysia . The interview –skillfully moderated by my friend and colleague UN Resident Coordinator for Malaysia and Singapore, Ms Karima El Korri – was organised by the Sunway University and the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), part of a global network of universities and institutions promoting sustainable development practices. Incidentally, we (the UN) are assisting the University of Timor-Leste to join this Network soon. As always, Professor Sachs covers a lot of historical ground and makes fascinating connections between social and economic progress and many global challenges that the world faces today. He starts by drawing attention to the combination of events that contributed to global economic growth in the period after 1776 (imperialism, the industrial revolution, the role of fossil fuels, self-interest, the dominance of market economies and many other factors).
Professor Sachs points out that “…one of the reasons the world is struggling to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels is that we have had 200+ years of economic growth based on a reliance on fossil fuels and market economies. The powerful forces behind fossil fuels are pervasive and shape almost every aspect of our lives. So, breaking that dependence and reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and shifting towards carbon-neutral growth may take years, possibly decades.” This is why governments and development institutions need to prepare long-term plans now and to ensure that these are practically progressed annually for this critical global transition. He notes that sadly even after the past decade of rising global temperatures and changing global weather patterns contributing to more frequent and devastating environmental disasters, as well as the loss of biodiversity and the COVID-19 pandemic, we have yet to see many governments, industries and international institutions develop and implement robust long-term (20-year plus) plans for zero carbon growth. As the IPCC (International Panel on Climate Change) has said on many occasions (see: https://www.nature.org/en-us/what-we-do/our-insights/perspectives/ipcc-report-climate-change/) ‘time is running out’! “…one of the reasons the world is struggling to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels is that we have had 200+ years of economic growth based on a reliance on fossil fuels and market economies. The powerful forces behind fossil fuels are pervasive and shape almost every aspect of our lives. So, breaking that dependence and reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and shifting towards carbon-neutral growth may take years, possibly decades.” By making a powerful case for the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) as the guiding principles for a better, more sustainable world for all, he advocates for “six big transformations” that he believes are essential for nations in the Asia-Pacific region (all of whom, according to data from ESCAP, are ‘off-track in terms of progress against the SDGs’ (see: https://data.unescap.org/data-analysis/sdg-progress.) The Asia-Pacific region is home to 60% of the global population, so if the world is to achieve the SDGs by 2030, it is vital that this region achieves the progress that is needed. The six transformations that Professor Sachs’ identifies are: (i) Quality Education for all; (ii) Health for all; (iii) Energy and industrial transformation; (iv) Sustainable land use (and one might add, especially for small island states and many others sustainable use of oceans); (v) sustainable cities; (vi) Digital transformation. While also emphasising the vital importance of gender equality and inclusion, Professor Sachs’ makes a personal plea for increased women’s leadership globally and in all spheres to accompany and accelerate the transformations needed to create a better world for all. This presentation made me reflect on the work that the UN is supporting in Timor-Leste and elsewhere. How can we better support political leaders, governments and key institutions in the countries we serve to develop serious, long-term, inclusive, and sustainable plans for climate action and carbon-neutral growth? And more importantly, how can we more effectively support the development and implementation of long-term plans for such transformations? An essential first step is perhaps helping people clearly define what type of national development they would like to see in their country. In my conversations with some Timorese citizens, I have heard friends and colleagues say that they would like Timor-Leste to be more like Singapore. I wonder, however, which aspects of Singapore’s development people in Timor really value. If that is a ‘model’ that Timorese citizens want to emulate, how can we start to chart a path to move from where we are now to foster a model of development that benefits and creates a better, more sustainable future for all? And critically, how can we ensure that progress is measured year-on-year to safeguard a better future for all?

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15 March 2022

Children in Grade 1 inspired to learn by peer mentors in Timor-Leste

Around forty children between the ages of five to seven sit in small groups on a large verandah and in classrooms at the Eskola Basic Filial (EBF) Matata school in Ermera Municipality. All of them are completely engrossed in books that they occasionally point to as they emphasize a detail or show each other some of the illustrations. The setting is a school in the Ermera Municipality, where the UNICEF supported ‘Ready to LEAP’ (Learn, Engage, Achieve, Progress) programme, introduced in 2019 with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, is helping children have a smooth transition from home to formal schooling. Similar activity is being conducted at ten other basic education schools in Ermera and Liquica municipalities. The initiative helps children who enrolled in grade 1 or those repeating grade 1 to get additional support from the school, their parents, families and other students (peer mentors) to build up their confidence and prepare to continue learning in a school-based setting. Trained peer mentors play a key role in inspiring younger children to learn. UNICEF Timor-Leste/2020/Dmaia Grade 3 students involved as young mentors to Grade 1 students in EBF Matata, Ermera municipality. In a country where only 27 per cent of children are enrolled in preschools, and where the grade 1 repetition rate is 19 per cent, initiatives such as these make a big difference in inspiring younger children to transition smoothly into school-based learning. To date, the school readiness programme has benefitted 1,314 students in grade 1 classes and enabled 439 students between 10 -11 years old from eleven basic education schools to take part in this initiative as peer mentors. So as not to interrupt learning for peer mentors, these sessions take place every Saturday. The training for teachers and peer mentors at the school in Ermera was initially conducted in 2019 in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports. However, the rollout of the programme was interrupted by COVID-19 related school closures. Most of the trained peer mentors from Grade 5 and Grade 6, who usually take part in this initiative, had also already graduated or were busy preparing for their final examinations. However, the EBF Matata basic school introduced new ideas to keep the programme running. Teachers from EBF Matata school started engaging with Grade 2 and Grade 3 students who were once beneficiaries of the programme in 2019, to train and help them become peer mentors themselves and help inspire younger children to learn. “I feel so happy and proud when the teacher asked me to be a young facilitator. Since joining this programme, I have become much closer to grade 1 students and have become friends with them” said 10-year-old Davio Bosco Cardoso UNICEF Timor-Leste/2022/LRangel A peer mentor takes part in an interview through phone call to help other children continue to learn. Nine-year-old Merelia de Francia Mali Goncalves expressed her excitement at being part of the programme “I feel so proud because I am like a teacher for them, I make them feel happy, to be diligent, and they come to the school every day. So it is a great feeling,” she says. At the beginning of the programme, teachers accompanied the peer mentors and supported them until the mentors were capable of running the activities on their own. As the programme progressed, teachers say the peer mentors got over their initial shyness and became more confident to speak up and lead the sessions. “This is not only benefitting the Grade 1 students. After taking a role as peer mentors, the literacy and numeracy skills of the mentors also improved, and so did their social skills, for example, understanding ways to solve problems, or how to communicate with friends and manage time,” said Lurdes Rangel Goncalves, a teacher at the EBF Matata School in Ermera. With additional funding from UNICEF Australia, the ‘Ready to LEAP’ programme will continue in 2022 and 2023 in 30 more schools in five municipalities. These would incorporate additional inclusive and sustainable approaches, including supporting the participation of children with disabilities.

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26 August 2026

Bringing public services closer to people: Timor-Leste completes its nationwide Balkaun Úniku network

For many citizens, interacting with the State can mean travelling long distances, visiting several institutions, completing multiple forms and repeatedly presenting the same documents. These obstacles are more than administrative inconveniences. They cost families time and money, disproportionately affect people living in rural and remote areas, and can prevent the most vulnerable from accessing the services and rights to which they are entitled.The completion of Timor-Leste’s network of 14 Balkaun Úniku, or one-stop shops, demonstrates how a different approach is possible. By bringing government services together in accessible locations across the country, the Government is making public administration simpler, closer and more responsive to citizens’s everyday needs.This milestone is not only about opening 14 buildings or service counters. It represents a change in how public policy is conceived: instead of asking people to navigate the structure of government, government is increasingly reorganizing its services around the needs of people.From administrative reform to a nationwide service networkUNDP has supported this process as part of a progressive and coherent partnership with the Government of Timor-Leste on decentralization, local governance and administrative modernization.The foundations were laid through an EU-funded programme implemented by UNDP between 2020 and 2024. This first phase supported the development of the legal and institutional foundations for decentralization, strengthened municipal capacities, expanded access to information through the Municipal Portal, and established ICT facilities in municipalities. Together, these efforts helped create the conditions for public services to become more accessible beyond Dili.Building on this foundation, the Government invested approximately USD 5 million in a second phase implemented with UNDP support. This phase focused on designing and establishing the national network of 14 Balkaun Úniku shops and creating the Centre for Administrative Modernization. The Government’s leadership and financing were essential in transforming the one-stop-shop concept into a nationwide public-service infrastructure.UNDP supported the Government throughout this journey—not only with project implementation, but also with technical advice, institutional coordination, infrastructure and equipment, digital solutions, capacity development and the design of a service-delivery model focused on citizens. The partnership brought together national and municipal institutions around a shared goal: making government work better for the people it serves.The completion of all 14 shops means that Balkaun Úniku is no longer a pilot or an isolated innovation. It is now a national network with the potential to become the Government’s closest and most visible point of contact with citizens throughout Timor-Leste.Putting people at the centre changes everythingPeople-centred public policy begins with a simple question: what does a person actually experience when trying to access a public service?From the perspective of a ministry, a birth certificate, identity document, business licence or social benefit may belong to different institutions and administrative procedures. From the perspective of a citizen, however, these services are often connected moments in one life: registering a child, entering school, finding employment, starting a business, supporting a family or accessing assistance in later life..When services are designed only around institutional mandates, citizens are left to connect the pieces themselves. A people-centred approach reverses this logic. It asks institutions to coordinate, share responsibility and organize services around people’s life events and needs.This is what makes the Balkaun Úniku model potentially transformative. A well-functioning one-stop shop can mean fewer journeys, lower transport costs, less time away from work and family, shorter waiting periods, fewer repeated documents and clearer information. It can also make public services easier to access for older persons, persons with disabilities, women with care responsibilities, citizens with limited literacy, and communities living far from the capital.These practical improvements build something equally important: trust. When people can obtain a service fairly, predictably and with dignity, public institutions become more tangible and credible. Each successful interaction strengthens the relationship between citizens and the State. Connecting physical access with digital transformationThe Balkaun Úniku network also provides a strong foundation for the next stage of Timor-Leste’s administrative modernization: the digitalization and integration of public services.Digital transformation cannot simply mean putting existing procedures online. If a complicated process is digitalized without being redesigned, it may remain complicated—and may become even less accessible to people without devices, connectivity or digital skills. In Timor-Leste, where a significant share of the population still has limited digital literacy, physical and assisted channels will remain essential.Balkaun Úniku can bridge this divide. Through a hybrid approach, citizens can benefit from digital government even when they cannot independently use an online platform. Trained staff can help people access services, complete procedures and understand requirements, while the Government progressively connects systems behind the counter.Through the EU-funded Dalan Digital Project, UNDP is supporting this next phase of reform. The objective is to help government systems communicate securely, reduce duplication, improve accessibility and gradually apply the “once-only” principle, so citizens are not repeatedly asked to provide information that the State already holds. The Balkaun Úniku physical network and Balkaun Úniku Digital can therefore evolve together as complementary channels of one integrated public-service system.The technology is important, but it is not the final objective. The true measure of success is whether a mother can register her child more easily; whether a young person can obtain the documents needed for education or employment; whether an entrepreneur can formalize a business with fewer obstacles; and whether an older person or a citizen in a remote community can access support without making an expensive journey to Dili. A platform for the futureCompleting the 14 Balkaun Úniku shops is a major achievement, but it is also the beginning of a new chapter. The next challenge is to deepen the range and quality of services available through the network, connect participating institutions, establish common service and accessibility standards, strengthen staff capacities, monitor citizen satisfaction, and ensure that no one is left behind.The network also creates opportunities for mobile services, stronger links with municipal governance and new forms of citizen participation. Over time, Balkaun Úniku can become more than a place for administrative transactions. It can become a trusted civic space where people obtain information, receive support, provide feedback and engage more directly with public institutions.Timor-Leste’s experience offers a powerful lesson: public-sector transformation does not begin with institutions, procedures or technology. It begins with people.When government looks at services through the eyes of citizens, barriers that once appeared inevitable can be redesigned. Institutions can work together. Technology can serve inclusion. Public investment can translate into time saved, opportunities created and rights made accessible.By completing a nationwide network of 14 Balkaun Úniku shops, the Government of Timor-Leste has created an important foundation for a more accessible, inclusive and responsive State. UNDP is proud to have accompanied this journey and remains committed to supporting the Government as it connects physical and digital services around the needs, dignity and aspirations of every citizen.

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20 August 2026

Timor-Leste Charts a New Course on Disaster Resilience as Ministry of Interior and UNDP Convene National Civil Protection Workshop

"Climate change poses an immediate risk to Timor-Leste, causing visible damage to roads on the south coast and in the highlands", warned H.E. Mr. Francisco da Costa Guterres during his remarksUNDP Timor-LesteMore than 60 representatives from national and municipal government institutions gathered on 17 July 2026 for a National Civil Protection Workshop, co-organized by the Ministry of Interior and UNDP Timor-Leste, to chart a shared path from reactive disaster response toward long-term, proactive climate resilience.Timor-Leste ranks among the most climate-vulnerable small island developing states in the world. National assessments show that roughly 70 per cent of the rural population — approximately 840,000 people — remain highly exposed to floods, landslides, droughts, and strong winds, hazards whose frequency and severity are projected to at least double by mid-century. Population growth, environmental degradation, and urban expansion are compounding these risks, placing growing pressure on communities across all 14 municipalities."Climate change poses an immediate risk to Timor-Leste, causing visible damage to roads on the south coast and in the highlands", warned H.E. Mr. Francisco da Costa Guterres. Welcoming participants to the workshop, which brought together senior leadership from UNDP and the Ministry of Interior mainly the Secretary of State for Civil Protection, the President of the Autoridade de Proteção Civil (APC), among others, the Minister explained the event was convened in direct response to these escalating threats. He cautioned that within a few years, the consequences will intensify and severely impact the nation’s crops and agriculture. He called for stronger coordination from the national to the grassroots level, working closely with institutions including the PNTL and the APC to prevent and mitigate risk.Ms. Adeline Carrier, UNDP Resident Representative a.i., during her welcoming remarks explained that: ''Integrated emergency management is essential to protect lives, infrastructure, and development gains in small island development states". She cautioned that relying on post-disaster resource mobilization is unsustainable, urging a decisive shift toward proactive protection and resilience-building.During his remarks, H.E. Minister of Interior Francisco da Costa Guterres reminded participants: "Nature cannot be fought, but damage can be resisted and avoided through preparedness."UNDP Timor-LesteDuring the workshop, civil protection focal points, the National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL), and representatives from the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Tourism and Environment, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation were briefed by UNDP's Climate Change and Environment portfolio teams.The workshop presentation and discussions centered on strengthening partnership synergy between UNDP and the Ministry of Interior's statutory leadership in disaster risk reduction, reviewing current initiatives, the evolving El Nino shoks, and exploring joint initiatives with clear resource mobilization and co-financing strategies, and identifying a sustainability roadmap that allows government institutions to independently maintain the systems and assets built through the partnership over time. "The UNDP Climate Resilience Portfolio serves as an integrated framework to build systems that withstand climate shocks," explained UNDP Assistant Resident Representative Ms. Felisberta Moniz da Silva. Aligned with the Timor-Leste National Strategic Development Plan 2011–2030, the portfolio transitions the nation away from purely responding to disasters. Instead, it prioritizes proactive prevention, preparedness, and long-term resilience through smart planning and integrated climate action.The UNDP Technical Team presented the several initiatives under this portfolio – mainly resilient infrastructure, blue-green jobs and livelihoods, energy transition, institutional strengthening for risk-informed development planning, and cross-cutting digital, gender and inclusion, and sustainable financing as development enablers. The partnership between Timor-Leste and UNDP has resulted in significant results contributing to increased access to basic services and improved livelihoods of the rural population. Key achievements include the construction of 65 resilient infrastructure schemes, including irrigation systems and rural roads, benefitting more than 160,000 people; blue-green jobs and livelihoods interventions in agroforestry, horticulture, fisheries, ecotourism, and community employment schemes, reaching over 30,000 people; and the installation solar home system and hybrid solar systems at health and education facilities, benefitting over 25,000 rural population, including teachers and students. Presenting the analysis from the World Meteorological Organization, Ms. Felisberta explained that a high-intensity El Niño is likely to persist into 2026 - 2027, which will impact the livelihoods of the vulnerable population the ground as it raises the risk of wildfire and drought - threatening both lives and food security. She called for sustained investment in physical and socio-economic resilience, underlining that some of the current initiatives such as solar water pumps, rainwater harvesting, and sea-water desalination can be replicated to address the EL-Nino shocks. Participants also discussed aligning future joint action with the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER) and regional standards — an especially timely conversation given Timor-Leste's recent accession as the 11th member state of ASEAN.A shift from response to resilienceThe remarks opened onto a lively exchange, with participants pressing UNDP and government representatives on how partnership commitments translate into practice on the ground. Several raised questions about how projects implemented through NGOs and community-based organizations are selected, and whether the choice of sectors, from water to education and culture, follows a clear rationale. In response, it was clarified that all UNDP support is anchored in the Country Programme Document, formulated together with the Government of Timor-Leste through consultations with line ministries and endorsed by UN member states. Each project requires the approval of its responsible line ministry before an implementing NGO is selected through a competitive Call for Proposals, with an evaluation committee and Project Board overseeing selection, monitoring, and a final published evaluation of results and lessons learned.Sustainability featured prominently in the discussion. Participants asked how access to services such as clean water, and to digital and internet connectivity for schools under UNDP’s energy transition programme, could be sustained in rural areas once project funding ends. It was explained that operation and maintenance arrangements are built together with communities from the outset, including joint contributions and training at both engineer and community level, so that local systems can keep functioning after a project closes. The presentation on the evolving El-Nino was highly appreciated. Participants asked whether data national exists on the effects of El Niño in Timor-Leste, specifically on how communities are affected in terms of food and water, so that measures can be taken and affected communities informed. UNDP explained that that the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reports an 80% probability of El Niño conditions through August, with dominant patterns climbing near or above 90% through November. Concurrently, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center has confirmed that these conditions will steadily strengthen - assigning a 63% probability to a "very strong" event between November 2026 and January 2027. Furthermore, the National Drought Hazard Map (produced by UNDP and CPA) shows that the southern and eastern Timor-Leste face moderate to severe drought risks, while western areas have lower risks. It was proposed that the previous and current initiative such as the community infrastructure and community employment ‘cash for work’ can be replicated to address El-Nino crisis.Participants also questioned the risks that come with development itself, pointing to the absence of a dedicated government platform to address them, and asked how UNDP mitigates such risks in its infrastructure work, citing the example of roads built higher than surrounding housing, as well as how affected communities are kept informed. Related questions probed how UNDP is helping government close coordination gaps between ministries to build a more integrated digital platform. It was explained that UNDP has been engaging with the Government to establish a dedicated ministerial platform for more resilient and sustainable development, though the initiative remains under discussion pending agreement across ministries and the completion of further assessments. Taken together, the exchange underscored both the progress made in institutionalizing government–UNDP partnership and the practical challenges that remain in ensuring resilience investments endure well beyond the life of any single project.The way forwardClosing his remarks, the Minister thanked UNDP and the Government of Japan for their support, and acknowledged the contributions of UNDP, partner institutions, the APC, and all participants. Resilience, he said, cannot be built in a single day — it requires continued, joint effort to safeguard children, communities, and lives.The workshop marks a further step in translating Timor-Leste's climate resilience ambitions into coordinated action across government, laying the groundwork for joint initiatives that will be shaped, financed, and ultimately sustained by national and municipal institutions themselves.UNDP Timor-Leste

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20 August 2026

UNDP Handed Over 12 Community Infrastructure Facilities, Improving the Lives of Over 32,000 People

The symbolic handover ceremony was held at Ensibo Basico Central (EBC) school in Haoufe, Oe-cusse, together with partners and community beneficiaries.UNDP Timor-Leste UNDP, together with the Government of Timor-Leste and the Government of Japan, marked the completion and handover of 12 community infrastructure facilities constructed in Bobonaro, Ermera, Liquica, and Oe-cusse under the Community Infrastructure for Resilience Project (CIReP).The symbolic handover ceremony was held at Ensibo Basico Central (EBC) school in Haoufe, Oe-cusse, and attended by His Excellency Mr. Mateus dos Santos Tallo, Secretary of State for Local Development, representing the Ministry of State Administration; His Excellency YAMAMOTO Yasushi, Ambassador of Japan; Honorable Mr. Francisco Loca, Regional Secretary for Planning and Development of Oe-Cusse/RAEOA; Ms. Katyna Argueta, UNDP Resident Representative; and representatives of national government, local authorities, and community beneficiaries.The constructed facilities were inaugurated by His Excellency Mr. Mateus dos Santos Tallo, Secretary of State for Local Development (middle), His Excellency YAMAMOTO Yasushi, Ambassador of Japan (right), and Ms. Katyna Argueta, UNDP Resident Representative (left)UNDP Timor-LesteLaunched in 2023, CIReP aims to strengthen the resilience of rural communities by improving infrastructure and access to essential services in health, education, irrigation, water supply, and sanitation. The 12 facilities handed over will improve access to these services for more than 32,000 people across 4 municipalities, contributing to safer, healthier, and more resilient communities.Beyond the physical infrastructure, CIReP generated meaningful socioeconomic benefits for local communities. Through the Community Employment Scheme (CES), approximately 1,200 community members took part in a 10-day employment programme, gaining short-term employment , strengthening their vocational skills, and actively participating in the development of their own communities.Looking ahead, the project will continue to support these communities through operation and maintenance training for community groups and local authorities, building their capacity to manage and sustain the infrastructure for years to come." We are investing not only in physical structures, but in local ownership and long-term sustainability. These units will be managed by local authorities and communities, because sustainable development starts at the suco level. " said Mr. Mateus dos Santos Tallo, Secretary of State for Local Development." These assets mean safer water, better sanitation, safer travel, reduced erosion and flooding, and a place for community life – It is deeply gratifying for Japan to support these efforts and to help improve daily life in Oecusse and beyond" said His Excellency YAMAMOTO Yasushi, Ambassador of Japan"By working together, we have laid the foundations for stronger communities, improved public services, and greater resilience for future generations," said Ms. Katyna Argueta, UNDP Resident Representative. "UNDP remains committed to supporting the people and the Government of Timor-Leste in building a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable future." The 12 facilities handed over will improve access to these services for more than 32,000 people across 4 municipalities, contributing to safer, healthier, and more resilient communities.UNDP Timor-Leste

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18 August 2026

Building preschools in Baucau, giving space to learn and play

Lisa Lynn Hill UNICEF Timor-Leste/LHill The music starts playing, and about 50 preschoolers begin quacking like a duck and singing along to the dance moves. “I love it when we sing and dance; I feel happy,” shouts Celcia, a six-year-old student at Bucoli preschool in Baucau.“I can write my name. Let me show you,” exclaims Cornelio. He says his favourite part of the day is when the teacher works with them on writing the ABCs and numbers.UNICEF Timor-Leste/LHillJackelina has been teaching at the Bucoli preschool for over a couple of years.Jackelina is a kind-faced and energetic preschool teacher. For now, they use the community centre as a preschool, located behind Bucoli Primary School. The room is small and dark, with supplies for the community that get pushed to the side for class. Sometimes she lets the students use the outdoor space for games when they really have a lot of energy, being careful amongst the unfinished flooring.“Children would come to Grade 1 for the first time at age 6–7. We would spend more time teaching them numbers and writing than what the curriculum allows. The Ministry of Education has realized it is time for a preschool in this area,” says Leonilda Boavida da Costa, Coordinator at the Bucoli School.UNICEF Timor-Leste/LHillThe preschoolers are excited that they will soon have a new preschool built to accommodate all of them.Construction of a new preschool will begin in July with support from UNICEF and funding from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), as part of a broader effort with the Government of Timor-Leste to expand early childhood education in rural communities. Across municipalities like Baucau, the initiative is helping to bring safe, child-friendly preschools closer to families who previously had little or no access.The new school will be disability-inclusive and have two large classrooms, each designed for 40 students, giving young children a safe and stimulating space to learn and grow. The full programme will support dozens of preschools and reach thousands of children aged 3–5, while also strengthening teacher training and community support.Jackelina has been a volunteer teacher for over two years, since the preschool opened. “I saw all the children here, and my spirit was moved to help them. I attended INFORDEPE (Ministry of Education Teacher Training Institute) to be able to teach at my best,” she says. UNICEF also provides ongoing teacher capacity-building.For now, the temporary space is wall-to-wall with the current class of 68 students. “More parents will send their children to preschool once the new building is complete, and at the proper ages of 3–5. Right now, we can only take age 5 students because of the high number and limited space.” Teacher Jackelina says the number of children slowly increases in every class. “Children will have a safe space to play and to run as they need to.”UNICEF Timor-Leste/LHillCornelio and Celcia are playing a game with their teacher, Jackelina.Alongside the new buildings, the programme is also investing in teachers and communities, so that children not only have a place to learn but also receive quality early education that supports their development from the very beginning.“We now have almost all of our Grade 1 students pass to Grade 2 because they attended preschool,” says Coordinator Leonilda.Preschool is not just preparation for school; it is a critical investment in a child’s future. It helps children develop the basic skills they need to learn, build confidence, and thrive from their very first day in the classroom. Yet many children in Timor-Leste still miss out on this opportunity, especially in rural areas.UNICEF Timor-Leste/LHillOnce the new preschool is built, the students will have their own safe space that’s big enough to learn through play.By working with the Ministry of Education, UNICEF, with support from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), is helping to change that by expanding access to safe, inclusive, and quality early learning so that every child, no matter where they are born, has the chance to begin life with a strong foundation and reach their full potential.

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17 August 2026

How inclusive education is transforming classrooms in Timor-Leste

Julio TalimetaUNICEF/Timor-Leste/2026/Talimeta"The training taught us that children with disabilities should be treated like any other child," says Aguida. "We learned how to include them in classroom activities, group work and daily lessons without discrimination."In the rural community of Searema, Manufahi Municipality, the sound of children singing fills the Grade 1 classroom of teacher Aguida dos Santos Orleans. Some students are learning to write their first letters, others are counting numbers aloud, while a few need extra support to follow the lesson. For Aguida, every child deserves the opportunity to learn.With over 16 years of her teaching career, Aguida has taught Grade 1, welcoming hundreds of children into their first year of school. Since 2022, she has been teaching at Branch Basic Education School Searema, where she continues to help young learners build foundational skills that shape their future. "Teaching young children requires a lot of patience," Aguida says. "Every child is different. Some cry when they first come to school, some need time to adapt, and others are very active. We need to understand each child and help them learn in ways that work best for them."To make learning engaging, Aguida often goes beyond textbooks and teacher manuals. She uses games, songs, practical activities and group exercises to help children develop essential literacy and numeracy skills. "In Grade 1, we focus heavily on reading, writing and counting because these are the foundations for all future learning," she explains.UNICEF/Timor-Leste/2026/TalimetaAguida supports Grade 1 students in developing their reading skills.Yet teaching young learners is not without challenges. Children learn at different paces, and some require additional support to fully participate in class. For years, teachers like Aguida had limited guidance on how to effectively include children with disabilities in the learning process."Some children understand lessons very quickly, while others need more time and individual attention," she says. "For children with disabilities, we often had to find our own ways to support them because the old teacher guides did not provide clear guidance on inclusive education."To address these challenges, the Ministry of Education, with support from UNICEF, and the Global Partnership for Education, has been supporting efforts to strengthen inclusive education through teacher training aimed to enhance school leaders’ and teachers’ understanding of inclusive education principles, functional difficulties, and their leadership role in guiding proper identification and responses for learners with diverse needs. These initiatives have benefited 236 school leaders and teachers across Covalima, Liquica and Manufahi. Aguida participated in two inclusive education training sessions in 2025 and early 2026. The experience changed how she approaches teaching.The new teacher guides have also provided practical strategies that Aguida and all the teachers like her to use every day. In her classroom, she also teaches children with visual impairments and intellectual disabilities.
UNICEF/Timor-Leste/2026/TalimetaAguida provides one-on-one support to a student during a learning session."For children with visual impairments, I often ask them to sit closer to the front of the classroom and regularly check their learning materials," she explains. "For children with intellectual disabilities, I provide extra support and spend more time helping them understand lessons. The important thing is that they learn together with their classmates and are not left behind."According to Carmelita dos Reis, the school coordinator of Branch Basic Education School Searema, inclusive education training has helped teachers better understand how to support all learners with dignity, respect and non-discrimination.UNICEF/Timor-Leste/2026/TalimetaCarmelita dos Reis serves as the School Coordinator at Branch Basic Education School Searema."The training provides teachers with clear guidance on how to use appropriate language to promote inclusion and create positive learning environments for every child," the coordinator says.The school has made inclusive education a priority. Teachers actively encourage children with disabilities to participate in extracurricular activities and school events alongside their peers. They also work closely with parents, providing storybooks, alphabet materials, and guidance to support learning at home."We cannot do this work alone," the coordinator explains. "Parents, teachers, communities and education partners all have an important role in helping children learn and thrive."While progress has been made, school leaders believe more support is needed. The provision of accessible learning materials and continued professional development would further strengthen inclusive education across the country. It will be also critical to create awareness among parents and caregivers about functional difficulties and how children can be supported at home.UNICEF/Timor-Leste/2026/TalimetaAguida and her Grade 1 students complete another day at Branch Basic Education School Searema."Every child has the right to learn," Aguida says. "When teachers have the right knowledge, materials and support, we can help all children reach their potential, regardless of whether they are a person with or without disabilities."Through dedicated teachers, supportive families and continued investment in inclusive education, more children in Timor-Leste are gaining not only access to school, but also the opportunity to learn, thrive and dream alongside their peers.

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Press Release

12 August 2026

EU, Government and UN Agencies Join Forces to Strengthen Agriculture, Nutrition and Social Protection in Covalima

12 August 2026UNICEF Timor-Leste/DeAraujoEU, Government and UN Agencies Join Forces to Strengthen Agriculture, Nutrition and Social Protection in CovalimaSuai, 12 August 2026: [Tetun below] The Government of Timor-Leste, the European Union (EU), the World Food Programme (WFP), the International Labour Organization (ILO), and UNICEF launched a farmer training initiative in Covalima Municipality aimed at strengthening local food systems, improving nutrition, and expanding access to social protection.The event brought together Thorsten Bargfrede, Ambassador of the European Union to Timor-Leste, alongside representatives of the EU Delegation, the Ministries of Education, State Administration and Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry and Fisheries, municipal authorities, technical experts, and representatives of WFP, ILO and UNICEF.The training supports selected farmer groups and cooperatives to become reliable suppliers for Timor-Leste's National School Feeding Programme through the Home-Grown School Feeding approach. By connecting local farmers with schools, the initiative promotes access to nutritious meals for children while creating market opportunities for rural communities.Farmers received training on sustainable agricultural production, post-harvest handling, financial literacy, and were introduced to the Social Security Contributory Scheme, helping strengthen both their livelihoods and access to social protection. The training was facilitated by experts from the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry and Fisheries (MALFF), the Secretary of State for Cooperatives (SECoop), and the National Social Security Institute (INSS)."The European Union is proud to collaborate with the Government of Timor-Leste and United Nations agencies to promote inclusive rural development. Through investment in farmers’ skills, social protection, and local food systems, we are empowering rural communities, improving nutrition, and strengthening local economies," said Thorsten Bargfrede, Ambassador of the European Union to Timor-Leste.During her remarks, Jacqueline de Groot, WFP Representative and Country Director in Timor-Leste, highlighted the importance of strengthening the link between local farmers and schools through the Home-Grown School Feeding approach:“When local farmers are empowered with the knowledge, skills and opportunities to supply schools, the benefits extend well beyond the classroom. Through the Home-Grown School Feeding approach, we are creating reliable markets for farmers, supporting healthier diets for children, and strengthening food systems that contribute to community resilience and sustainable development.”Participants also took part in a field demonstration in Suai Loro Administrative Post, where they learned practical techniques such as compost production, crop rotation, seedling management, and other sustainable agricultural practices.The delegation also visited the Suai Villa Community Health Centre to observe nutrition services supported by UNICEF, including growth monitoring, micronutrient supplementation, and community-based efforts to prevent and treat malnutrition. The visit highlighted the importance of linking food systems, nutrition services and social protection to improve the well-being of children and families.The initiative showcased the strong partnership between the Government of Timor-Leste, the European Union and United Nations agencies in advancing food security, nutrition, rural development and social protection, with a $10 million contribution from the European Union supporting efforts to build more resilient communities across Timor-Leste.UE, Governu no Ajénsia ONU Sira Hamutuk Hodi Hametin Agrikultura, Nutrisaun no Protesaun Sosiál iha Munisípiu CovalimaSuai, 12 Agostu 2026: Governu Timor-Leste, Uniaun Europeia (UE), Programa Ai-han Mundiál (WFP), Organizasaun Internasionál Trabalhador (ILO), no UNICEF halo lansamentu ba inisiativa formasaun ba agrikultór sira iha Munisípiu Covalima ho objetivu atu hametin sistema ai-han lokál, hadi’a nutrisaun, no habelar asesu ba protesaun sosiál.Eventu ne’e halibur hamutuk Thorsten Bargfrede, Embaixadór Uniaun Europeia ba Timor-Leste, ho reprezentante sira husi Delegasaun UE, Ministériu Edukasaun, Ministériu Administrasaun Estatal no Ministériu Agrikultura, Pekuária, Floresta no Peskas, autoridade munisipál sira, peritu tékniku sira, no reprezentante husi WFP, ILO no UNICEF.Formasaun ne’e apoia grupu agrikultór no koperativa sira ne’ebé selesionadu atu sai forneseór konfiável ba Programa Merenda Eskolár Nasionál Timor-Leste liuhosi abordagem Toos Uma Hun ba Merenda Eskolár (HGSF). Liu husi ligasaun agrikultór ho eskola sira, inisiativa ne’e promove asesu ba ai-han nutritivu ba labarik sira nune'e mos kria oportunidade merkadu ba komunidade rurál sira.Agrikultór sira hetan formasaun kona-ba produsaun agríkola sustentável, jestaun pós-kolleita, literasia finanseira, no introdús ona ba Eskema Kontribuitivu Seguransa Sosiál, atu hametin sira-nia moris no asesu ba protesaun sosiál. Formasaun ne’e fasilita husi peritu sira husi Ministériu Agrikultura, Pekuária, Floresta no Peskas (MAPPF), Sekretaria Estadu Kooperativa (SECoop), no Institutu Nasionál Seguransa Sosiál (INSS).“Uniaun Europeia orgullu atu kolabora ho Governu Timor-Leste no ajénsia Nasoens Unidas sira hodi promove dezenvolvimentu rurál inkluzivu. Liu husi investimentu iha kapasidade agrikultór sira, protesaun sosiál no sistema ai-han lokál, ami fó empoderamentu ba komunidade rurál sira, hadi’a nutrisaun no hametin ekonomia lokál sira,” hatete husi Thorsten Bargfrede, Embaixadór Uniaun Europeia ba Timor-Leste.Iha nia intervensaun, Jacqueline de Groot, Reprezentante no Diretóra WFP iha Timor-Leste, destaka importánsia atu hametin ligasaun entre agrikultór lokál sira no eskola sira liuhosi abordagem Toos Uma Hun ba Merenda Eskolár:“Bainhira agrikultór lokál sira hetan kapasidade ho koñesimentu, abilidade no oportunidade atu fornese ba eskola sira, benefísiu sira la'o liu duké iha de’it aula laran. Liu husi aprosimasaun ToosUma Hun ba Merenda Eskolár ami kria merkadu ne’ebé fiável ba agrikultór sira, apoia dieta ne’ebé saudavel liu ba labarik sira, no hametin sistema ai-han ne’ebé kontribui ba reziliénsia komunidade no dezenvolvimentu sustentável.”Partisipante sira mos partisipa iha demonstrasaun prátiku iha Postu Administrativu Suai Loro, ne’ebé sira aprende téknika prátiku hanesan produsaun kompostu, rotasaun ai-horis, jestaun fini no prátika agríkola sustentável seluk.Delegasaun ne’e mos vizita Sentru Saúde Komunitáriu Suai Vila hodi observa servisu nutrisaun sira ne’ebé UNICEF apoia, inklui monitorizasaun kresimentu, suplementasaun mikronutriente no esforsu bazeia ba komunidade hodi prevene no trata malnutrisaun. Vizita ne’e hatudu importánsia atu liga sistema ai-han, servisu nutrisaun no protesaun sosiál hodi hadi’a bem-estar labarik no família sira.Inisiativa ne’e hatudu parseria forte entre Governu Timor-Leste, Uniaun Europeia no ajénsia Nasoens Unidas sira iha atu promove seguransa ai-han, nutrisaun, dezenvolvimentu rurál no protesaun sosiál, ho kontribuisaun millaun $10 husi Uniaun Europeia hodi apoia esforsu sira atu harii komunidade ne’ebé reziliente liu iha Timor-Leste laran tomak.____________________Media Contacts
EU in Timor-Leste, Press and Information Officer, Akito Ximenes, +67078101309
WFP Communication Officer, Mariano Redondo, +670779438827
UNICEF Communications Specialist, Lisa Hill, lhill@unicef.org

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Press Release

28 July 2026

Timor-Leste marks National Health Day with a pledge to people and planet

Viqueque, 27 July: The rain came down hard in Viqueque, but the crowds came anyway. Hundreds gathered on 22 July as Timor-Leste marked its 11th National Health Day, celebrated this year in Viqueque Municipality under the theme "My Sea, My Timor, My Health." The event honoured the dedication of health workers across the country while reinforcing the importance of protecting both people and the environment to achieve a healthier future.The celebration brought together government leaders, health professionals, development partners and the community to recognise the progress Timor-Leste has made in strengthening its health system.Vice Minister of Health José dos Reis Magno, together with local authorities and WHO Officer-in-Charge Dr Vinay, launched the Standard Treatment Guidelines for Primary Health Care © WHO Timor-Leste Three new resources developed with WHO support were launched: the Standard Treatment Guidelines for Primary Healthcare, the National Essential Diagnostic List, and the DNFM website, which together will strengthen access to essential medicines, diagnostics and health information. The Ministry of Health also handed over a new ambulance to the Viqueque Municipal Authority, and outstanding health workers and National Health Day Cup champions were recognised for their service.The Ministry of Health launched Timor-Leste’s National Essential Diagnostics List, developed with WHO support © WHO Timor-LesteJosé dos Reis Magno, Vice Minister of Health for Institutional Strengthening, told the gathering that good health starts well before the hospital door. "The sea gives us food, so protecting the sea protects our nutrition," he said. "Health does not begin at the hospital; it begins with how we live and care for our environment." He urged renewed commitment to a fair, modern health system that reaches every community and narrows the gap between rural and urban areas.
The Ministry of Health handed over a multifunction ambulance to the Viqueque Municipal Authority © WHO Timor-LesteThe weather itself became a tribute. "Rain or sunshine, day or night, our health workers are always there for the people," said Francisco Cruz Simões de Gonzaga Soares, President of the Viqueque Municipal Authority, who also voiced hope that the Viqueque Municipal Hospital would soon be completed.Representing WHO Timor-Leste at the event, Dr Vinay Bothra, Officer-in-Charge, pointed to milestones including the elimination of malaria, country’s three new medical oxygen production plants and health screening in more than 1,300 schools. "Timor-Leste has made remarkable progress, but our work is not finished," he said. "Primary healthcare is the foundation for tackling noncommunicable diseases, malnutrition, cancer and heart disease, ensuring quality care for everyone," he said.
Viqueque Municipal President handed over certificates to exemplary health workers © WHO Timor-LesteIn a message shared for the occasion, Dr Arvind Mathur, WHO Representative to Timor-Leste, congratulated the Ministry of Health and the people of Timor-Leste on the country's public health gains, from eliminating malaria and lymphatic filariasis to expanding immunisation and reducing maternal and child deaths. "This year's theme reminds us that the health of our people and the health of our oceans are inseparable," he said. "By protecting nature, we protect lives and build a healthier, greener and more resilient Timor-Leste."Eleven years on, National Health Day has become a symbol of celebration and reflection. Next year, the celebration will travel west to Bobonaro Municipality, which was selected through a lottery to host the 12th National Health Day in 2027.

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Press Release

29 August 2024

Joint Press Encounter with the Prime Minister of Timor-Leste Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão [as delivered]

Senhoras e senhores jornalistas, quero em primeiro lugar prestar uma sentida e emocionada homenagem ao primeiro-ministro Xanana Gusmão.Primeiro ao combatente, ao líder da resistência, que nas montanhas tudo sacrificou para conseguir a independência do seu país e do seu povo.Depois, pela resistência que revelou, preso na Indonésia, mas agindo sempre com grande determinação em defesa da independência do seu povo.Tivemos na altura ocasião pela primeira vez de falar por telefone. E quero sublinhar que houve uma total identidade de pontos de vista entre a resistência timorense, liderada por Xanana Gusmão, e o Governo português, nas negociações que conduziram no final ao processo de autodeterminação.E depois, o líder da transformação de Timor-Leste num país independente, num país democrático, num país respeitador dos direitos humanos e num país que se afirma internacionalmente com crescente influência.
Timor-Leste ganhou a batalha da independência. Timor-Leste ganhou a batalha da democracia. E como Secretário-Geral das Nações Unidas eu naturalmente sinto orgulho de que as Nações Unidas tenham estado ao lado do povo de Timor-Leste na luta pela independência e na consolidação da democracia.Mas Timor-Leste tem agora que ganhar a batalha do desenvolvimento. E quero dizer que as Nações Unidas, na sua limitada capacidade, mas com total empenhamento, estão inteiramente ao lado do Governo de Timor-Leste para, de acordo com as estratégias do Governo de Timor-Leste, poder apoiar a vitória na batalha do desenvolvimento.Fiquei muito impressionado pela descrição que o Sr. Primeiro-Ministro fez do compromisso de um esforço renovado em matéria de segurança alimentar, de investimento na agricultura. Seguramente um desafio crucial para o êxito da estratégia de desenvolvimento.Fiquei muito impressionado com o compromisso expresso pelo Primeiro-Ministro em relação à educação e à saúde. Fiquei muito impressionado com a visão sobre as infraestruturas que são necessárias e as infraestruturas que porventura o serão menos e a capacidade de escolher e decidir aquilo que o povo de Timor-Leste necessita.E fiquei também muito impressionado com o facto de Timor-Leste, um país pequeno, Portugal também é um país pequeno, ter hoje uma capacidade de afirmação internacional que é absolutamente notável.
Timor-Leste é membro da Organização Mundial do Comércio. Timor-Leste é fundador do G7+, com influência crescente nas discussões ao nível da comunidade internacional e das Nações Unidas. Timor-Leste será em breve membro da ASEAN, onde espero que possa desempenhar um papel muito importante para que também finalmente em Mianmar a paz possa chegar ao povo de Mianmar.Timor-Leste é uma voz particularmente respeitada nas Nações Unidas num momento que para nós muito importante que é aquele que com a Cimeira do Futuro, vai procurar pôr em cima da mesa as reformas indispensáveis para que as instituições multilaterais possam responder aos problemas do nosso tempo.Às alterações climáticas, aos desafios da inteligência artificial e à multiplicação enorme de conflitos e desigualdades a que assistimos em todo o mundo.Contamos com a voz de Timor-Leste na próxima Cimeira do Futuro. Contamos com a voz de Timor-Leste em todos os esforços para fazermos do nosso mundo um mundo em que a Carta das Nações Unidas seja respeitada, em que a lei internacional seja respeitada e em que as desigualdades e as injustiças que continuam a persistir possam finalmente ser enfrentadas com determinação e solidariedade.

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Press Release

28 August 2024

SG Remarks - Press Conference with the President of the Republic of Timor-Leste

Dear President Ramos-Horta,Dear friends from the media,Kalan Di-ak [Good evening]I am very happy to be here in Timor-Leste with all of you.I want to begin by expressing my enormous gratitude for the warm welcome and wonderful hospitality I have experienced in Timor-Leste.President Ramos-Horta, it is an honour to stand alongside a champion of peace.I cannot forget the many hours we worked together. The long days, late night phone calls and endless discussions.Seeing you travelling around the world, refusing to give up, defending the cause of the Timorese people was an inspiration for leaders everywhere. I am proud I was able to make a small contribution to support your efforts.And I am honoured to call you a friend.Ladies and gentlemen, friends,Timor-Leste’s motto is, quote, “Unity, Action, Progress.”That motto is a true reflection of your journey as a country, and inspiration for the road ahead. First, unity.The anniversary of the Popular Consultation is an opportunity to come together: …to celebrate your collective past;…to honour those who overcame differences to unite in the resistance;…and to commemorate those who dreamed of independence but are no longer with us.Independence was not the end.It was a new beginning that called for unity and resolve for new trials and challenges to come.Now, less than a generation later, I stand here as witness to a nation that prevailed.A nation at peace and in harmony with its neighbours.A thriving democracy, where human rights and fundamental freedoms are the common threads in the social fabric.Second, action.In the 25 years since the referendum, Timor-Leste has consistently taken action, moving mountains to create a society that serves all Timorese people.Your country may be small in size, but you are taking on some of the biggest challenges of our time.Timor-Leste has made impressive strides in building a democratic society and enhancing people-centred development, expanding quality education, especially in rural areas, achieving universal electricity access, addressing food insecurity, gender inequality, youth unemployment and improving healthcare.I urge you to show the same ambition on climate action. You are on the frontlines of the climate crisis that is threatening the very survival of small islands and low-lying coastal states.Across the Pacific, climate chaos is battering down the doors of those who have done the least to cause it.The time to act on climate change is now.I urge you to seize the benefits of a clean energy transition — with international support — towards long-term energy security and sovereignty. And to ramp up measures to protect your people from intensifying climate disasters.But Timor-Leste cannot act alone. The international community has an obligation to support you – including through an ambitious finance outcome at COP29 this year, and by doubling adaptation finance to at least $40 billion a year by next year.We urgently need an SDG Stimulus to provide effective debt relief and scale-up resources for sustainable development.And we are pushing for reforms to Multilateral Development Banks, to substantially increase their lending capacity, and enable them to leverage far more private finance at reasonable cost to developing countries.Third, progress.The first time I visited Timor-Leste was in 2000 as Prime Minister of Portugal.Since then, this country has strived to climb higher and improve the lives of the Timorese people. Today, you are a full and active member of the global family.Making good progress on economic resilience, and joining the World Trade Organisation earlier this year.And working to become a full member of ASEAN – with the full support of the United Nations.Resolute in making progress for our global community -- this is the Timorese way.But progress is not only a matter of ambition. It relies on global institutions and frameworks for support.In September, at the Summit of the Future, countries aim to forge a new global consensus on how we cooperate and address our greatest challenges.Proposals on the table will make global decision-making more effective and inclusive, with more space for developing countries. I urge you to make your voices heard at the Summit. The world has a lot to learn from Timor-Leste.Dear President, dear friends,The United Nations and the Timorese people stood side by side as this country took its first steps towards owning and shaping its destiny.United Nations will continue to support the aspirations of the Timorese people on the journey ahead.I wish the best success for the people of Timor-Leste.Thank you.
______________________________________________Senhor Presidente
José Ramos-Horta,Caros amigos da comunicação social,Kalan Di-ak [Boa noite]É com muita alegria que me encontro hoje convosco aqui em Timor-Leste.Desejo, em primeiro lugar, expressar a minha enorme gratidão pelo caloroso acolhimento e pela maravilhosa hospitalidade com que sou recebido em Timor-Leste.
Senhor Presidente Ramos-Horta,V. Exa. é um intransigente defensor da paz e é uma honra para mim estar aqui hoje ao seu lado.Jamais esquecerei as muitas horas em que trabalhámos juntos. Os dias intermináveis, os telefonemas a altas horas da noite ou da madrugada, as longas e profundas conversas.As viagens de V. Exa. pelo mundo, recusando-se a desistir e defendendo a causa do povo timorense inspiraram líderes de todo o mundo.É-me particularmente grato ter tido a oportunidade de dar um contributo em apoio incansáveis esforços desenvolvidos por V. Exa..Considero-o um amigo, o que muito me honra.Senhoras e senhores, amigos,O lema de Timor-Leste é, e cito, “Unidade, Acção, Progresso”.Este lema é um verdadeiro reflexo do vosso percurso enquanto país e uma inspiração para o caminho a seguir.Em primeiro lugar, unidade.O aniversário da Consulta Popular apela à unidade:…na celebração do vosso passado colectivo;
…na homenagem aos que superaram as diferenças convergindo na resistência;…e na homenagem aos que sonharam com a independência, mas já não estão entre nós.A restauração da independência não foi o fim.Foi um novo começo que exigiu unidade e determinação para superar os desafios e obstáculos com que a Nação timorense se deparava no momento da edificação do Estado e de um novo País.
Hoje, menos de uma geração depois, estou aqui como testemunha de uma nação que se soube afirmar e que prevaleceu.Uma nação em paz e em harmonia com os seus vizinhos.Uma democracia consolidada, assente no respeito pelos direitos humanos e pelas liberdades fundamentais.Em segundo lugar, acção.Nos 25 anos que decorreram desde o referendo, Timor-Leste foi tomando medidas consistentes e movendo montanhas para criar uma sociedade que responde às necessidades e aspirações de todo o povo timorense.O vosso país pode não ter um território extenso, mas tem sido capaz de enfrentar alguns dos maiores desafios do nosso tempo.Timor-Leste tem feito progressos impressionantes na construção de uma sociedade democrática e na promoção de um desenvolvimento centrado nas pessoas, expandindo a educação de qualidade, especialmente nas zonas rurais, alcançando o acesso universal à eletricidade, combatendo a insegurança alimentar, a desigualdade de género, o desemprego jovem e melhorando o acesso a cuidados de saúde.Peço-vos que demonstrem igual ambição no que respeita à acção climática.
Pois estão na linha da frente da crise climática que ameaça a própria sobrevivência de muitos estados insulares e costeiros.Em todo o Pacífico, o caos climático está a atingir aqueles que menos fizeram para o causar.Este é o momento de agir contra as alterações climáticas.Apelo para que aproveitem os benefícios de uma transição para energias limpas – com apoio internacional – rumo à segurança e à soberania energética a longo prazo. E para que reforcem medidas que protejam o povo timorense da intensificação dos desastres climáticos.Mas Timor-Leste não pode estar só neste esforço.A comunidade internacional tem a obrigação de vos apoiar – nomeadamente através de um ambicioso resultado na COP29 deste ano em matéria de apoio financeiro, duplicando o financiamento para a adaptação para pelo menos 40 mil milhões de dólares por ano até 2025.Precisamos urgentemente de um estímulo financeiro aos ODS que proporcione um alívio eficaz da dívida e aumente os recursos destinados ao desenvolvimento sustentável.Estamos também a exercer pressão para que sejam feitas reformas nos bancos multilaterais de desenvolvimento, de modo a que aumentem substancialmente a capacidade de concessão de empréstimos, alavancando muito mais financiamento privado a um custo razoável para os países em desenvolvimento.Em terceiro lugar, progresso.A primeira vez que visitei Timor-Leste foi em 2000, enquanto Primeiro-Ministro de Portugal.Desde então, o País demonstrou empenho em atingir novos e mais ambiciosos patamares de desenvolvimento e em melhorar progressivamente a vida do povo timorense.Hoje, Timor-Leste é um membro activo e de pleno direito da comunidade internacional.Alcançou importantes progressos em matéria de resiliência económica e aderiu à Organização Mundial do Comércio no início deste ano.E trabalha para se tornar membro de pleno direito da ASEAN – com o total apoio das Nações Unidas.A determinação em contribuir para progressos que beneficiem a comunidade mundial constitui um timbre da atitude timorense.Mas o progresso não é apenas uma questão de ambição pois depende, em muito, do apoio de instituições e estruturas internacionais.Em setembro, na Cimeira do Futuro, os países serão chamados a forjar um novo consenso global sobre a forma como cooperamos e enfrentamos os nossos maiores desafios.As propostas que estão em cima da mesa tornarão mais eficaz e inclusiva a tomada de decisões globais, assegurando mais espaço para os países em desenvolvimento.Lanço o desafio para que a voz de Timor-Leste se faça ouvir na Cimeira pois o mundo tem muito a aprender com Timor-Leste.
Senhor Presidente, caros amigos,As Nações Unidas e o povo timorense estiveram lado a lado no momento em que o País assumia, nas suas próprias mãos, a construção do seu destino.As Nações Unidas continuarão a apoiar as aspirações do povo timorense na caminhada que tem pela frente.Desejo os maiores sucessos ao povo de Timor-Leste.Muito obrigado.
___________________________________________Sr. Prezidente
José Ramos-Horta,Belun doben sira hosi mídia,Kalan Di-ak [Boa noite]Ho laran ksolok tebes mak ohin ha’u hasoru imi iha ne’e iha Timor-Leste.Ha’u hakarak, uluknanai, hato’o ha’u-nia agradesimentu boot tebes ba benvindu no ospitalidade furak ne’ebé simu ha’u iha Timor-Leste.Sr. Prezidente Ramos-Horta,Exelénsia Prezidente Ramos Horta, hanesan onra ida ba ha’u atu hamriik hamutuk ho kampiaun dame ida hanesan ita.Haʼu sei la haluha oras barak neʼebé ita serbisu hamutuk. Loron sira ne'ebé laiha rohan, xamada sira iha kalan ka dadeer-saan, konversa sira ne'ebé naruk no kle'an.Ita-boot nia viajen sira, iha mundu tomak, lakohi rende no defende povu Timor nia kauza inspira ona lideransa sira iha mundu tomak.Hau orgullu hau bele fo kontribuisaun kiik ida hodi suporta ita boot sira nia esforsu.Ha'u konsidera ita hanesan belun ida, ne'ebé fó onra boot mai ha'u.Señora no señor sira, belun sira,Timor-Leste nia lema mak, no ha’u sita, “Unidade, Asaun, Progresu”.Lema ida ne’e hanesan reflesaun loloos ba ita-boot sira nia viajen nu’udar nasaun no inspirasaun ba dalan ne’ebé atu tuir mai.Primeiru, unidade.Aniversáriu Konsulta Populár nian bolu unidade:...iha selebrasaun ba ita-boot nia pasadu koletivu;...iha onra ba sira ne'ebé maka ultrapasa diferensa sira hodi konverje iha rezisténsia;...no hodi fó onra ba sira ne'ebé mehi ba independénsia, maibé la iha ona iha ita-nia leet.Restaurasaun independénsia la'ós ona rohan.Ida-ne'e nu'udar inísiu foun ida ne'ebé ezije unidade no determinasaun atu ultrapasa dezafiu no obstákulu sira ne'ebé Nasaun Timorense hasoru bainhira harii Estadu no Nasaun foun ida.Ohin, la to'o jerasaun ida, ha'u iha ne'e nu'udar sasin ba nasaun ida ne'ebé hatene oinsá atu afirma nia-an no ne'ebé maka manán.Nasaun ida ne’ebé hakmatek no harmonia ho nia viziñu sira.Demokrasia konsolidada ida, bazeia ba respeitu ba direitus umanus no liberdade fundamentál sira.Segundu, asaun.Iha tinan 25 dezde referendu, Timor-Leste foti ona medida konsistente no muda hodi kria sosiedade ida ne’ebé responde ba nesesidade no aspirasaun povu Timor tomak nian.Ita-boot nia nasaun bele kiik, maibé konsege hasoru dezafiu boot sira iha ita-nia tempu.Timor-Leste halo ona progresu impresivu hodi harii sosiedade demokrátiku no promove dezenvolvimentu ne’ebé sentradu iha ema, habelar edukasaun ho kualidade, liuliu iha área rurál, hetan asesu universál ba eletrisidade, kombate inseguransa ai-han, dezigualdade jéneru , dezempregu juventude no hadi’a asesu ba kuidadu saúde.Ha'u husu ba ita-boot atu hatudu ambisaun hanesan bainhira ko'alia kona-ba asaun klimátika.Tanba sira iha liña oin hosi krize klimátika ne'ebé ameasa sobrevivénsia hosi estadu illa no tasi-ibun barak.Iha Pasífiku tomak, kaos klimátiku kona sira ne'ebé maka ladún hamosu ida-ne'e.Ida-ne'e maka tempu atu atua hasoru mudansa klimátika.Ha'u husu ba sira atu aproveita benefísiu sira hosi tranzisaun enerjia moos nian – ho apoiu internasionál – ba seguransa no soberania enerjétika ba tempu naruk. No atu reforsa medida sira ne’ebé proteje povu timoroan husi intensifikasaun dezastre klimátiku sira.Maibé Timor-Leste labele mesak iha esforsu ne’e.Komunidade internasionál iha obrigasaun atu apoia ita-boot sira – liuliu liuhosi rezultadu ambisiozu ida iha COP29 tinan ida-ne'e nian iha termu apoiu finanseiru, duplika finansiamentu ba adaptasaun ba pelumenus US$40 billoens kada tinan to'o 2025.Ita presiza tebes estímulu finanseiru ODS nian ne'ebé fornese hamenus dívida ne'ebé efetivu no aumenta rekursu sira ba dezenvolvimentu sustentável.Ita mós dudu hela reforma sira iha banku dezenvolvimentu multilaterál sira hodi aumenta substansialmente sira nia kapasidade empréstimu nian, hodi aproveita finansiamentu privadu barak liután ho kustu ne'ebé razoavel ba nasaun sira ne'ebé dezenvolve hela.Terseiru, progresu.Dala uluk ha’u vizita Timor-Leste iha tinan 2000, enkuantu Primeiru Ministru Portugál.Hahú husi ne’ebá, nasaun ne’e hatudu ona kompromisu atu to’o iha nível foun no ambisiozu liután kona-ba dezenvolvimentu no progresivamente hadi’a povu timoroan nia moris.Ohin loron, Timor-Leste nu’udar membru ida ne’ebé ativu no nakonu iha komunidade internasionál.Ida-ne'e halo ona progresu importante sira kona-ba reziliénsia ekonómika no tama iha Organizasaun Mundiál Komérsiu nian iha inísiu tinan ida-ne'e.No ida-ne'e serbisu atu sai membru tomak ASEAN nian – ho apoiu tomak hosi Nasoins Unidas.Determinasaun atu kontribui ba progresu ne’ebé fó benefísiu ba komunidade mundiál nu’udar marka atitude timoroan nian.Maibé progresu la'ós de'it kestaun ida kona-ba ambisaun tanba ida-ne'e depende liu ba apoiu hosi instituisaun no estrutura internasionál sira.Setembru ida-ne'e, iha Simeira Futuru nian, nasaun sira sei hetan bolu atu harii konsensu globál foun ida kona-ba oinsá ita koopera no hasoru ita-nia dezafiu boot sira.Proposta sira iha meza sei halo foti desizaun globál sai efetivu no inkluzivu liu, hodi garante espasu barak liután ba nasaun sira ne'ebé sei dezenvolve hela.Ha’u lansa dezafiu atu Timor-Leste nia lian bele rona iha Simeira tanba mundu iha buat barak atu aprende husi Timor-Leste.Sr. Prezidente, belun doben sira,Nasoens Unidas no povu Timor hamriik sorin-sorin iha tempu ne’ebé nasaun ne’e foti konstrusaun ninia destinu iha ninia liman rasik.Organizasaun Nasoins Unidas sei kontinua fó apoiu ba aspirasaun povu Timor nian iha viajen oin mai.Ha’u dezeja susesu ba povu Timor-Leste.Obrigado barak.

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