DILI, 19 august 2022 (TATOLI) – The United Nations System in Timor-Leste and local media strengthened cooperation to create wider awareness of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the country.
The UN Resident Coordinator Timor-Leste, Roy Trivedy said news media play a vital role in raising awareness about the SDGs.
“This interface meeting between UN System and news media is to help increase the knowledge of the Timorese journalists on the SDGs. Therefore, we want to strengthen our relationship with all the national media and journalists to raise the awareness of the public on the importance of SDGs to Timor-Leste,” Trivedy made the comments at the Kofi Annan Hall, at UN System Compound, in Dili, on friday.
In 2015, world leaders agreed to 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for a safer, cleaner, and more prosperous world by 2030.
The 17 SDGs were adopted by the UN in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity.
The 17 SDGs are No poverty, zero hunger, good health and well-being, quality education, gender equality, clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, decent work and economic growth, industry, innovation and infrastructure, Reduced Inequality, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Responsible Consumption and Production, Climate Action, Life Below Water, Life On Land, Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, and Partnerships for the Goals.
Trivedy said maximizing the collaboration between Government, development partners, UN Agencies, civil societies, media, and the communities is the key to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
He said media and journalists need to know the SDGs to promote the SDGs: “SDGs are not very well known with the media and journalists. So, we have to work better with you to explain what the goals are (…) to ensure your readers, your viewers, and your listeners know about the importance of the SDGs.”
Trivedy reiterated it’s time for Government, UN Agencies, Civil Society, Media and Journalists, and communities to work together to turn the goals into action to tackle global challenges.
“We see this meeting as the first of our discussion with the media colleagues on SDGs. So, we hope that this will not be just one meeting, but we will have meetings throughout the remaining of the year and next year to keep updating you. So that, as you report, whether you are reporting for TV, print, or radio, you can make captivating news stories about how these goals are important and how they are linked to Timor-Leste’s progress,” said Trivedy.
The President of the Timor-Leste Press Union (TLPU), and Journalist of the RTTL, Candido Alves also reiterated the importance of the collaboration between journalists and UN Agencies to facilitate journalists with important information on addressing challenges facing Timor-Leste.
“I think, journalists and UN Agencies need to have a meeting at least once a month to exchange information on those national issues that journalists must focus their coverage on,” said Alves.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges
