DILI, 11 April 2025 (TATOLI) – The President of the Republic, José Ramos Horta, called for strengthening solidarity among the g7+ countries to support member states facing active conflicts, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Yemen, Haiti, South Sudan, Afghanistan, and other nations.
Horta made the call during his address today at the opening session of the 6th Ministerial Meeting of the g7+ in Dili, urging the 20 member countries of the group to strengthen their capacity and build resilience from within the organization.
“We must strengthen our solidarity—because that is the true strength of the g7+. Solidarity is not just a principle; it is the foundation of our collective resilience,” the Head of State said at Dili Convention Center, today.
The Nobel Peace Laureate said that the solidarity of the g7+ countries has allowed them to stand together and amplify their voices: “Now, more than ever, the g7+ must step up its efforts to support member states facing active conflicts.”
“We cannot stand by while our brothers and sisters in the DRC, Yemen, Haiti, South Sudan, Afghanistan, and other nations in the Global South endure unimaginable suffering,” Horta stressed.
He said that through peer-to-peer support, knowledge-sharing, and initiatives like Fragile-to-Fragile cooperation, the organization would certainly have the power to build resilience from within: “We have the experience, the wisdom, and the determination to help each other overcome conflict and fragility.”
President Horta also urged the members states to collectively advocate for reforms in international institutions: “The rules that govern the global order must be rewritten to ensure they are inclusive, equitable, and reflective of the realities of all nations—especially those emerging from conflict and fragility.”
“As a unified bloc, we must scale up our efforts to negotiate the rules of engagement, ensuring that our countries are not mere recipients of decisions made elsewhere but active participants in shaping policies that impact us directly,” he added. “We must now build on this momentum, ensuring that our advocacy translates into real, lasting reforms that empower our nations to shape their own futures.”
The g7+ has already demonstrated its potential by gaining access to key policy forums, where it has positioned itself as a credible voice in discussions on peacebuilding, development cooperation, trade, climate change, food security, and beyond.
In a video message, UN Secretary-General António Guterres praised the g7+ for championing cooperation, solidarity, and country-led solutions over the years.
The world cannot let your calls go unanswered. We need solidarity for solutions, and that is the spirit of the Pact for the Future that you helped shape. The Pact charts a course to reform peace and security cooperation, prioritizing conflict prevention, mediation, and peacebuilding,” Guterres said.
The UN Chief added that the g7+’s journey over the past 15 years has shown the world that solidarity is a common responsibility. “As we work to tackle global challenges and implement the Pact for the Future, your voices will be vital to strengthen multilateralism, prevent conflict, and forge a future of dignity and sustainable development for all.”
Over the past 15 years, the g7+ has worked relentlessly to amplify the voices of conflict-affected countries, ensuring that their challenges and aspirations are recognized on the global stage.
It has championed peace and stability efforts rooted in national ownership, advocating for a shift away from externally imposed solutions toward approaches that truly reflect the needs of our nations.
The 6th Ministerial Meeting of the g7+ includes discussions on safeguarding peace in turbulent times, the evolution of g7+ as a global actor, and strategic positioning of the group in the current geopolitical landscape.
The Meeting would conclude with the adoption of the Dili Declaration II, outlining the group’s strategic priorities and future direction.
Present at the event were the Assistant Secretary-General for Peacebuilding Support in the United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Elizabeth Spehar, the President of the Republic, Jose Ramos Horta, Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, President of the National Parliament, President of the National Parliament, President of Court of Appeal, Deolindo dos Santos, Deputy Prime Minister For Economic Affairs and Minister for Tourism and Environment, Francisco Kalbuady Lay, Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs and Rural Development Mariano Asanami Sabino, Minister of Planning and Economic Development of Sierra Leone and Chair of g7+, Madame Kenyeh Barlay, General Secretary of g7+, Helder da Costa, government officials, Heads of Delegations of g7+ member states, Government Officials, MPs, and Civil Society, Private Sector.
The Group of Seven Plus (g7+) is an intergovernmental organization of 20 countries that was established in 2010. The organization was created to promote peace and stability in countries affected by conflict and fragility.
The g7 +, originally founded by seven countries, now includes 20 countries in Africa, Asia-Pacific, the Caribbean and the Middle East: Afghanistan, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Haiti, Liberia, Papua New Guinea, Sao Tome and Principe, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Timor-Leste, Togo and Yemen.
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