DILI, 12 july 2023 (TATOLI)- The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative, Adeline Carrier, met the newly elected President of the National Parliament, Maria Fernanda Lay to discuss the significant role of the UNDP Parliament Project in strengthening the parliament’s mandate and promoting openness, transparency, and efficiency within and outside the institution.
Adeline Carrier expressed her appreciation for the fruitful collaboration between UNDP and the National Parliament in advancing strong democratic governance and sustainable development.
In a statement wrote seen by Tatoli, said, UNDP has been actively working with numerous countries across the globe, providing technical assistance and support to strengthen parliaments in playing their role as vital democratic institutions.
During the visit, UNDP presented a comprehensive presentation on the Parliament project made by the Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) of the UNDP Parliament Project, Bruno de Lencastre, and his team. They shed light on the project’s key objectives and strategies, which highlighted various success stories achieved through this project.
“The primary focus of the UNDP Parliament Project is to enhance the effectiveness of parliamentary systems by fostering a more open, transparent, and efficient environment by strengthening the three main constitutional pillars of Parliament work: representation, legislation, and oversight,” Wrote a statement.
One of the objectives of the project is to promote inclusive and participatory decision-making processes within the National Parliament. By encouraging broader citizen engagement, namely youth and women, the project aims to ensure that parliamentary decisions represent the diverse needs and aspirations of the entire population: “This inclusivity is to foster a sense of ownership among citizens, instilling greater trust in the democratic system,” It added.
Another key aspect highlighted during the presentation was the importance of transparency in parliamentary operations.
It says that, through the use of modern technologies and practices, the UNDP Parliament Project helps streamline legislative procedures, ensuring that information is readily accessible to both parliamentarians and the public: “This transparency not only promotes accountability but also strengthens the parliament’s legitimacy to gain public trust,”
Efficiency was also a major point of the presentation: “UNDP Parliament Project aims to optimize parliamentary workflows with the introduction of digital tools and innovative practices to streamline its administrative processes,”
By leveraging technology and automation, the project seeks to reduce time-consuming tasks, allowing parliamentarians to concentrate on critical legislative matters.
The President of the National Parliament, Mrs. Maria Fernanda Lay expressed her gratitude for the support provided by UNDP in strengthening the National Parliament’s role as a cornerstone of democracy.
She also acknowledged the importance of continuous collaboration and knowledge sharing to nurture a vibrant democratic culture within the institution.
This visit of UNDP Resident Representative, Adeline Carrier to the President of the National Parliament, Mrs. Maria Fernanda Lay, served as a reaffirmation of UNDP’s commitment to strengthening) parliamentary systems worldwide.
Since UNDP continues to foster partnerships with parliaments globally, it is expected that the impact of the UNDP Parliament Project will contribute to the advancement of democratic values, governance, and sustainable development in Timor-Leste.
Journalist: José Belarmino De Sá
Editor: Nelia
