DILI, 02 August 2023 (TATOLI)— The United Nations (UN), Coordinator in Timor-Leste, Funmi Balogun met today with the President of the Republic, José Ramos Horta to request that the overhaul of the Strategic Development Plan (SDP) of Timor-Leste be adjusted to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The UN coordinator, Funmi Balogun said the new government will review the SDP to implement all programs in Timor-Leste, aiming to achieve the 2030 sustainable development goal.
“As you know, this strategic plan will be reviewed by the current constitutional government and this has been targeted by the Prime Minister, Xanana Gusmão. So we hope that the SDGs will also be integrated into the PED,” said the UN Representative in Timor-Leste, Funmi Balogun after meeting President Horta.
She said: “We also discussed the SDG summit that will happen in September 2023 in New York. All the governments including Timor-Leste Government have committed to how the SDGs will be implemented in Timor-Leste between now and 2030.”She said.
At the meeting, Funmi Bologun reaffirm the UN’s support provided to Timor-Leste, especially in the field of health, education, food systems, nutrition, and how to continue to support the government.
She also highlights the UN’s commitment to supporting the government is always neutral and impartial. The presence of the UN is to support the government planning for capacity building, infrastructure, and the assessment of publication of data and additional resources.
“We are also bringing in expertise from outside Timor-Leste to assist the government in its planning and commitment. Another thing that the UN continues to do is as it is known that Timor-Leste has re-signed international conventions and health and agriculture and education and human rights. We support governments making these commitments and reporting back to the international community on what they are doing.
What is still a challenge. So these are the various kinds of support that we have continued to provide since the restoration of independence,” he said.
During the meeting, President Horta advised the United Nations and its member institutions such as WHO, UNFPA, UNICEF, WFP and UNHCR, and others to continue to work in coordination.
Journalists: José Belarmino De Sá
Editor: Nelia B.
