DILI, 18 november 2025 (TATOLI)— The Timor-Leste National Commission for UNESCO (NCU-TL) held a workshop to introduce the implementation of the 2005 UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, as stated in the Quadrennial Periodic Reports (QPR).
Timor-Leste has ratified and acceded to the 2005 convention, based on National Parliament Resolution No. 8/2016, dated 18 May. So, every four years it has the duty and responsibility to submit a report to UNESCO.
The Executive Secretary of NCU-TL, Luis Nívio, informed us that it is to explain the various policies and actions taken by the government and civil society to protect and promote the diversity of cultural expressions. Timor-Leste has submitted the QPR report to UNESCO twice, in 2020 and now in 2024.
“Therefore, once we have the report, this report becomes a standard or measure for us to review the implementation of policies. And the measures that have been implemented are related to protecting and promoting the diversity of cultural expressions. Improving our policies for industrial and artistic creativity,” Luis Nívio explained in the opening of the workshop at the INFORDEPE room this friday.
He thanked the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida) and UNESCO Jakarta for their budget support through the project called “REL Shaping Policies for Creativity and Artistic Freedom”.
The budget provided by SIDA is allocated to 11 countries: Bolivia, Botswana, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Mexico, South Sudan, Indonesia, Peru, Senegal, and Timor-Leste. the amount budgeted to $2.7 million from july 2022 to december 2025
Representative of the Cultural Unit, UNESCO Office Jakarta, Moe Chiba acknowledged that the periodic report for the 2005 convention on the protection and promotion of the diversity of cultural expressions is an achievement and part of a milestone not only for the government but also to enrich all its people.
“UNESCO believes that cultural diversity is one of humanity’s greatest resources. Imagine a world with only 1 story, 1 song, or 1 point of view, lacking all that and the wisdom that diversity brings. The richness of human experience depends on various voices, perspectives, and artistic expressions, and this concept is at the heart of the 2005 convention,” he said.
He stressed that the convention committed every country to create policies that support the rapidly growing cultural and creative sector, using art, visual arts, literature, music, film performances, television, and, most importantly, the internet.
General Director of SEAK (State Secretariat for Arts and Culture), Gil Paulino S. Oliveira, said the conclusion of this periodic report is not the end but also part of the next steps to protect and firmly promote the diversity of cultural expressions of Timor Leste.
Many partners were actively involved in the preparation of this newsletter, as well as the excellent participation of government institutions and civil society organizations, which are not mentioned personally in the report.
“The data and information contained in this report are very important as a unique tool to reflect the implementation of policies and measures to protect and promote the diversity of cultural expressions in Timor-Leste over the past four years,” he said.
In addition, monitoring of the objectives and implementation of the 2005 Convention by government institutions and civil society organizations can not only provide input for public action but also encourage its ambition by illustrating the role of diversity and creativity as sources of innovation for a sustainable society.
The development of protection and promotion of the diversity of cultural expressions will contribute to the development of the culture of future generations; a culture that is innovative, creative, affirmative, and expressive in a sustainable manner.
Journalist: José Belarmino De Sá
Editor: Rafael Ximenes de A. Belo
