Our Work on the Sustainable Development Goals in Timor-Leste

The UN and its partners in Timor-Leste are working towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals: 17 interconnected and ambitious Goals which address the major development challenges faced by people in Timor-Leste and around the world. Investing more in human capital is seen as a priority for sustainable development and economic growth. The country has made important progress in health and education, with gains made in child and maternal health, as well as marked increases in the number of children attending school, with gender parity. More effort is now required to tackle health and education disparities between municipalities, focus on quality education, and ensure vulnerable women and persons with disabilities are not left behind. More investment in human capital is needed to contribute to reducing child stunting and food insecurity, that are notably high. Increasing efforts to improve access to improved water and sanitation, a driver of malnutrition in Timor-Leste, will also contribute to a healthy and productive population. To equip young men and women for the labour market, investment is also rapidly needed in quality secondary, vocational and higher education but also in science and technology. The nascent private sector in Timor-Leste is not sufficient to generate enough jobs for the large number of young people entering the labour market and to drive new areas of economic growth.