DILI, 05 february 2026 (TATOLI) – Speaking at the World Government Summit 2026 in Dubai, the President of the Republic, Jose Ramos-Horta, delivered a visionary address praising the transformation of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from modest fishing villages into a global “abode of peace.”
Highlighting the historic 2019 Declaration on Human Fraternity, the Nobel Laureate proposed a radical shift in global governance, suggesting that a new world order should emerge from the Arabian Peninsula. Most notably, he called for the relocation of the United Nations Headquarters to the UAE, arguing that the center of global diplomacy should be closer to the two-thirds of humanity living in the Global South who share common histories of colonization and struggles for freedom.
The President outlined three indispensable pillars for international stability—tolerance, mediation, and humanitarian solidarity—pointing to the UAE’s success in mediating prisoner exchanges between Russia and Ukraine and its massive aid efforts in Gaza as primary examples.
The Head of State emphasized that the UAE model proves sustainable peace is achieved through “quiet diplomacy” and compromise, rather than zero-sum confrontation. Ramos-Horta urged world leaders to adopt these practical frameworks to repair the “moral wreckage” of the current international disorder, moving toward a system that prioritizes de-escalation and respect for state sovereignty.
Reflecting on Timor-Leste’s own journey, the President shared a powerful message of resilience, illustrating how a “devastated society” can be transformed into a vibrant democracy through patience and reconstruction. President Ramos-Horta also highlighted the nation’s remarkable social progress, including life expectancy rising to over 70 years and the growth of the medical corps from just 19 doctors at independence to 1,400 today.
In closing his intervention, Ramos-Horta called for ethical leadership and urgent reform of global institutions, reaffirming Timor-Leste’s commitment to fighting for peace and human dignity as an active member of the international community.
TATOLI
