Dili, 31 march 2023 ( TATOLI) –Timor-Leste was selected as one of the first nine partner countries for the Partnerships for Democratic Development (PDD) initiative during the first day of the 2023 Summit for Democracy.
The selection was announced by the Administrator of The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Timor-Leste, Samantha Power, in a statement released today.
In a statement, Samantha Power said, the selection reflects U.S. recognition of Timor-Leste’s sustained democratic progress and commitment to democratic values.
“I’m pleased to announce those first nine countries: Malawi, Zambia, Nepal, Timor-Leste, Armenia, North Macedonia, Ecuador, Paraguay, and the Dominican Republic,” said USAID Administrator Samantha Power. “These countries hold immense potential to strengthen their democracies – and USAID is committed to partnering with them to realize that vision.”
Through PDD, USAID seeks to amplify the progress made by Timor-Leste by deepening its support for democratic development. PDD will leverage locally led and inclusive democratic processes to identify and address key development challenges that, if left unaddressed, may undermine their democratic development. In doing so, PDD will bring together diverse stakeholders in government, civil society, and the private sector. Through this approach, PDD will give voice to a broad spectrum of actors and help ensure that democracy is delivered in the country.
President José Ramos-Horta joined other world leaders virtually for the Summit for Democracy as one of the speakers invited to address the plenary session live.
The United States first launched the Summit for Democracy in early 2021 to put new and high-level focus on the need to strengthen democratic institutions, protect human rights, and accelerate the fight against corruption, both at home and abroad. A video of President Ramos-Horta’s separate national message was also played in three different sessions of the Summit addressing democratic reforms, economic growth, and shared prosperity.
“We have been asked to demonstrate to our people that democracy can deliver for their needs, keep them safe and enable them to achieve their aspirations. I am so proud to be here today to share a bit about what Timor-Leste, one of the world’s youngest but proudest democracies, has been able to achieve,” said President José Ramos-Horta.
The U.S. Government has been a long-standing partner of Timor-Leste, providing significant support to the country’s development efforts, particularly in the areas of health, education, and economic growth. The U.S. Government’s selection of Timor-Leste as a PDD country is a testament to the shared democratic values that underpin the U.S.-Timor-Leste partnership.
TATOLI
