DILI, 25 September 2020 (TATOLI)- As the United Nations marked its 75th anniversary with a pandemic-era summit conducted virtually, President Republic of Timor-Leste, Francisco Guterres Lú Olo used the occasion Friday to delivering a message contextualized within the current moment of the COVID-19 pandemic by convincing people to be together in a true spirit of solidarity, humanity to overcome the challenge.
“On March 21, the first positive case was confirmed in my country. Before the first state of emergency was enacted, our citizens have already taken action with the government worked in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), the borders were closed, quarantine and isolation units were set up and teams were formed to raised awareness among our people” president said.
Timor-Leste recorded 27 positive cases from March to March, of which 26 were recovered. To date no one has gone into intensive care.
During the first case was confirmed, the establishment of an Integrated Crisis Management Centre thus allowed coordinated work between all sectors involved in this fight, thus it involved the support of human resources and the donation of equipment needed for this fight from other partnership countries, China, Australia, Cuba, the United States of America and the European Union.
While the countries are looking forward to reactivate the economy, Mr. Lu Olo said, Timor-Leste took advantage of the impact of COVID-19 to establish a people- centered Economic Recovery Plan that will reactivate the national economy with short, medium- and long-term measures. It is a means of stemming the loss of jobs and incomes.
“We take it as an opportunity to correct structural weaknesses” President Lu Olo said.
The president also highlighted the respond plan to covid-19, by the Secretary General of United Nations for the various initiatives to relieve the burden of debt and financing for the development.
“Also, in the confusion of collective and solidarity action, we highlight the Response Plan to COVID-19, by the Secretary General, my dear friend António Guterres, the various initiatives to relieve the burden of debt and financing for development,”
“I am absolutely convinced that together and in a true spirit of solidarity, humanity will overcome this challenge.” President said.
Lu Olo also highlighted that a global cooperation and partnership, both regionally and nationally are key to addressing the threat and crucial to building a resilient, sustainable and inclusive world, in regards to the world increasingly aware of the importance of the Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda.
In the way that no one is left behind, Mr Lu Olo Stressed that “the focus must be on the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and beyond the most ingrown, the fragile countries and the Small Island Developing States (SIDS).”
“We are a post-conflict country and, in the solidarity office, Timor-Leste was the basis of the establishment of a coalition of Fragile States, known as g7+, whose General Secretariat is based in Dili.”
It is also in the process of contributing to peace and stability in the region, and within the scope of the challenge that any State faces and with regard to its insertion in the region in which it is located.
“My country is committed to the process of adhering to ASEAN, a regional bloc with more than 600 million inhabitants.” he said.
At the same time, president Lu Olo affirms Timor-Leste most elementary justice to call for an end to the embargo suffered by the people and the Government of Cuba.
“The solidarity of scientists, doctors and health professionals in Cuba, in the confrontation with COVID-19, deserves our respect and admiration,”
In addition to this, the head of the State also reveal about Timor-Leste concern toward its sister country Mozambique.
“History and language ties us to the countries and peoples that make up the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries, the CPLP. We were honored to preside over this community for 2 years. We are concerned about the terrorist violence that befalls northern Mozambique, a sister country.”
Again we are all faced with racial and sexual violence. We are for the uncompromising defense of gender equality and the rights of minorities and indigenous peoples. Racism is unacceptable and absolutely condemnable.
TATOLI