DILI, 13 december 2023 (TATOLI) – The General Secretary of g7+, Helder da Costa and the United Nations (UN) Residence Coordinator to Timor-Leste, Olufunmilayo Balogun-Alexander,today signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote the peace and stability stipulated in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Timor-Leste.
Helder da Costa, General Secretary of the g7+ said the signing of the MoU with the UN in Timor-Leste, aiming to help in promoting peace, stability, and development through concerted advocacy and the sharing of lessons in areas stipulated in the Sustainable Development Goals in Timor-Leste.
“We signed the MoU with the UN to promote peace and stability with joint g7+ and UN, which will convene around strategic issues including the six investment pathways (food system, energy access and affordability, digital connectivity, education, jobs, and social protection), climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution that are relevant to government priorities to deliver the SDGs in Timor-Leste and around Timor-Leste’s engagement at the 2024 summit of the future,’’ General Secretary of g7+ Helder da Costa told reporters at the g7+’s office, Palace Government, Dili, on wednesday.
The General Secretary Costa added that the signing of the MoU will take place over five years, which will start from december 13, 2023, until december 13, 2028, to align with the National Strategic Development Plan and the government’s 5-year program.
“Therefore, we will base our approach on a demand-driven approach, listening to our constituencies in order to tailor or mutual plans, and supporting Timor-Leste’s government in its effort to enhance the effectiveness of development aid in line with the principles of the new deal for engagement in fragile states,’’ he said.
At the same place, Olufunmilayo Balogun-Alexander, UN Residence Coordinator to Timor-Leste, appreciates this initiative and is ready to work together with g7+ to promote peace and stability in Timor-Leste.
She said the UN is represented by the UN Resident Coordinator, 21 resident (14) and non-residence agencies (7) in Timor-Leste, supporting the government in its development objectives as a neutral and impartial partner since the restoration of independence in 2021.
“The UN in Timor-Leste utilizes its convening power to bring together development and humanitarian actors to work together with the g7+ to support the government to strengthen multi-stakeholder and multi-sectoral dialogue and coordination, including the implementation and advocacy for achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals,’’ she concluded.
In addition, the UN agencies that will run the MoU agreement are the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Food Programme (WFP), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Rafael Ximenes de A. Belo
