DILI, 12 january 2023 (TATOLI) – The newly appointed UN Resident Coordinator (RC), Funmi Balogun, met today with Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak to reaffirm the UN’s commitment to supporting the government and people of Timor-Leste in the fight against malnutrition and poverty.
She said the UN System will continue to support the Government of Timor-Leste in implementing Timor-Leste’s development priorities and achieving Sustainable Development Goals.
“The United Nations System has a very wonderful relationship with the government in supporting Timor-Leste, not only in the restoration of democracy 20 years ago but also in all the priorities that the government has identified in the implementation of the sustainable development goals (SDGs),” Balogun told TATOLI after meeting with the Head of State in Farrol Dili, today.
He said; therefore, her visit was to reiterate the commitment of the UN as a family to the Prime Minister, that the UN is always there to support the Government and the people of Timor-Leste: “The Head of Government was very gracious.”
During the meeting, Prime Minister Ruak also shared with Balogun, the government’s development priorities and the value of democracy.
“We have heard all the government’s priorities, including nutrition, stunting, investment, trade, and diversification to reduce poverty in the country,” she said.
Balogun stressed that the UN will draw resources from development partners, both from Timor-Leste and abroad, to bring large-scale investment into the country, such as productive industries that will lead to the reduction of poverty, malnutrition, and stunting.
“We are also looking to help Timor-Leste in education to ensure that everyone has access to education and skills, especially the youth. We will also continue to support Timor-Leste’s upcoming general elections,” she added.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges
