DILI, 11 April 2025 (TATOLI) – Today, the group of seven plus (g7+), made up of 20 Member States affected by conflict, held its 6th Ministerial Meeting in Dili, the capital of Timor-Leste, with the theme “Fifteen Years of Unity: Shaping the Future of Peace and Resilience.”
The meeting brings together leaders of the member states to review progress made over the last 15 years, adopt a new framework for strategic cooperation and elect the new g7+ presidency.
In his welcoming remarks, Timor-Leste’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Bendito Freitas, highlighted the importance of the meeting as both a moment for reflection and a call to action: “As we celebrate the milestones we have achieved together, we must also look forward—toward shaping the future of peace and resilience across our region and beyond.”
“This 6th Ministerial Meeting underpins our commitment to mutual respect and collective solidarity, and it signals our dedication to continuously strengthening our coordination mechanisms, aiming at moulding our path towards peace consolidation and state-building, while promoting democratic principles and ensuring full respect for human values and the rule of law,” Minister Freitas said at the Dili Convention Center (CCD), today. “This event also reaffirms our commitment to amplifying our own voices within diplomacy and multilateralism, advocating for inclusive decision-making processes.”
He said that over the past 15 years, the g7+ has emerged as a powerful voice for fragile and conflict-affected states—advocating for country-led solutions, mutual learning, and solidarity.
Freitas highlighted that the g7+ has demonstrated that despite the many challenges the member countries face, they are not defined by fragility: “We are defined by our determination, our hope, and our commitment to shaping a better future for our people.”
The Ministers stressed that as a dedicated member of the United Nations, Timor-Leste upholds a strong moral responsibility to contribute to conflict resolution efforts within the international community through both bilateral and multilateral mechanisms.
Freitas paid a special tribute to the Republic of Sierra Leone for its dedicated chairmanship of the g7+ over the past decade: “Your unwavering commitment to our shared vision has been a source of strength and unity.”
“Together, we will continue to position the g7+ as a global actor with a powerful voice to consistently represent the countries affected by conflict and fragility. Let us live even more united in purpose and ambition, pushing for a stronger global commitment to peace, justice, and inclusive development,” Freitas concluded.
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.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
