DILI, 02 october 2024 (TATOLI) – The Council of Ministers decided to approve the Portugal – Timor-Leste Strategic Cooperation Program for the period 2024 to 2028, presented by the acting Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Francisco da Costa Guterres, and the Vice-Minister for ASEAN Affairs, Milena Maria da Costa Rangel.
“The Portugal-Timor-Leste Strategic Cooperation Program 2024-2028 strengthens the partnership between the two countries based on their historical, cultural, and linguistic affinities and aligns with global commitments, such as the United Nations 2030 Agenda, the Portuguese Cooperation Strategy 2030, the Strategic Development Plan 2011-2030 and other national and sectoral strategic plans,” said in a statement.
The program aims to contribute to the sustainable development of Timor-Leste, focusing on priority areas and intervening in five main ‘clusters’:
Human Development: This ‘cluster’ focuses on education, health, social inclusion, and culture, emphasizing teacher training, strengthening the Portuguese language, and training health and social inclusion professionals. The program also aims to support the fight against poverty and social exclusion, targeting vulnerable groups such as children, women, and the elderly.
Rule of Law and Good Governance: This ‘cluster’ focuses on justice, security, and defense, with training and capacity-building actions to strengthen the legal system, improve the efficiency of institutions, and promote good governance. Interventions include combating crime and promoting human rights.
Public Administration, Public Finance, and Economy: This ‘cluster’ promotes the modernization and digitalization of public administration and decentralization and supports tourism and public finance. The program seeks to strengthen the management of public resources and foster sustainable economic growth, primarily through tourism.
Youth and Employment: This ‘cluster’ supports vocational training and entrepreneurship, encouraging job creation and training Timorese youth. The focus is on institutionally strengthening vocational training centers and promoting the social and solidarity economy.
Oceans, Sustainability, and Infrastructure: This ‘cluster’ promotes environmental sustainability, biodiversity protection, and the blue economy’s development. It supports the creation of a marine park and managing water resources and road infrastructure, focusing on the efficiency and sustainability of investments.
The program also includes cross-cutting axes, such as gender equality, strengthening civil society and capacity building in the Portuguese language, integrated into all areas of intervention, with an indicative budget of 75 million euros to be implemented over five years.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins