DILI, 11 April 2025 (TATOLI) – The President of the Republic, José Ramos-Horta, in his address today at the opening session of the 6th Ministerial Meeting of the g7+ at the Dili Convention Centre, urged the 20 member countries of the group to promote national ownership in all aspects of peace and development.
Horta said that sustainable progress can only be achieved in the g7+ countries when it is led by their leaders, governments, communities, and people, who understand their own challenges best.
The Nobel Peace Laureate, therefore, stressed that the international support must align with the national priorities of the g7+ nations, “not dictate them.”
Horta called for continued commitment to reshaping the global order to better serve all nations.
“This moment in history presents an opportunity to correct the imbalances of the past and reimagine an international order that is truly just, inclusive, and reflective of the voices of all nations, not just the powerful few,” President stated. “Our work ahead demands even greater courage, persistence, and vision. We must seize this moment to shape a new narrative—one in which our nations are recognized not as problems to be solved, but as partners in building a more just and peaceful world.”
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, the Eminent Person of the g7+, also addressed the gathering and called on the member states of the organization to expand and institutionalize their efforts and strengthen their ability to harmonize and align international assistance with the g7+’s priorities.
Gusmão said that aligning international assistance with the g7+’s priorities is important to ensure the group serves the real needs of its people, rather than being dictated by external agendas.
“We joined hands to improve the effectiveness of the global aid system, to share our lessons with each other, and to support one another in shaping a new development model — one that is guided by a vision of lasting peace and self-reliance,” Gusmão said.
The Prime Minister said that the success of making, building, and sustaining peace depends on the g7+ member states’ ability to take full ownership of its trajectory.
Gusmão, therefore, reiterated Horta’s statement that the g7+ countries must ensure their nations are not treated as problems to be solved, but as countries with the potential to lead their own transformation.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the importance of reshaping the global narrative to ensure that the g7+ countries are not merely recipients of aid but equal partners in their development.
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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