DILI, 24 october 2021 ( TATOLI)-Timor-Leste’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation (MNEC) and the United Nations members celebrate the UN Day 2021 which is observed annually to mark the establishment of the United Nations (UN).
The celebration event was held at the Office of Foreign Affairs Timor-Leste, with the presence of The United Nations Country Team together with representatives from Diplomatic Missions and development partners.
General Secretary of United Nations, Mr. Francisco Gutteres said the celebration comes as the Government of Timor-Leste gets ready to participate in the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), where the parties to the Paris Climate Accords are expected to commit to enhanced climate ambition:”As a small island nation, Timor-Leste is vulnerable to the impacts of climate change,”
“Climate change adaptation and disaster risk management are key priorities for the cooperation between the Government and the United Nations in Timor-Leste,” said Guterres in his statement during the celebration of the UN day 2.
The United Nations played a vital role in Timor-Leste’s restoration of independence and democratic transition by helping organize the Popular Consultation in 1999. Since 2012, the UN in Timor-Leste has shifted its mandate from peacekeeping to strengthening stability and prosperity through sustainable development.
The UN is an impartial, strategic partner supporting the Government of Timor-Leste as a Member State to fulfill international commitments and meet national aspirations to advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Almost 20 years since the restoration of independence, Timor-Leste has emerged as a democratic and peaceful country focused on state-building and accelerating progress on sustainable development for all, regardless of gender, age, ability or other characteristics.
“One year on, we celebrate the 76th anniversary of the United Nations. The global pandemic is still with us, lives are continuing to be lost, and the health and wellbeing of people – particularly the vulnerable – continue to be affected. The socio-economic impact of COVID-19 is acutely felt everywhere, and inequalities between nations and within countries are growing,” Said UN Resident Coordinator Roy Trivedy.
“I would like to acknowledge the efforts of all those who have made great efforts throughout the past year to address the impacts of COVID-19 and to pay my respects to those who have lost family members, friends and colleagues this year,” Said Mr Trivedy.
“United Nations renewed our joint commitment to strive together to deliver the promise of the UN Charter: to secure a world where everyone can thrive in peace, dignity and equality on a healthy planet,”
Mr Trivedy added that The continued relevance of multilateralism was also reaffirmed, while there was a shared recognition that the United Nations as a unique multilateral system needs to consistently strive to more inclusive, better networked and more effective.
“But I don’t want to infer that all is doom and gloom. Far from it. Throughout both the COVID-19 pandemic and the April floods response, we have witnessed a remarkable level of solidarity and compassion – starting at the community-level, all the way up to the Government and the friends of Timor-Leste, many of you are here today,”
Amidst global vaccine inequality, Timor-Leste received – and continue to receive – COVID-19 vaccines. Under the strong leadership of the Government, with support from the partners including the UN, vaccine coverage in Timor-Leste is increasing daily.
As at 19th October, nearly 70% of the eligible population received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccination, providing them a degree of protection from the virus. This is something that Timor-Leste and its friends can – and should – be proud of.
Almost 20 years since the restoration of independence, Timor-Leste has emerged as a democratic and peaceful country focused on state-building and accelerating progress on sustainable development for all, regardless of gender, age, ability or other characteristics.
UN Day marks the anniversary of the entry into force in 1945 of the UN Charter. With the ratification of this founding document by the majority of its signatories, including the five permanent members of the Security Council, the United Nations officially came into being.
The United Nations officially came into existence on 24 October 1945, when the Charter had been ratified by China, France, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, the United States and by a majority of other signatories.
The UN System in Timor-Leste is led by the UN Resident Coordinator Roy Trivedy, who is the designated representative of the UN Secretary-General to Timor-Leste and is responsible for the coordination of development activities in the country.
All UN agencies come together with the Government of Timor-Leste and other development partners under the leadership of the Resident Coordinator to support the achievement of Timor-Leste’s national development priorities.
The celebration is participated by Adaljiza Albertina Xavier Reis Magno, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation,
Honourable Ministers, State Secretaries and other National and Municipality-level government officials, Members of the National Parliament, Excellencies Ambassadors and Members of the Diplomatic Corps, National and International Partners, Members of the Media and Members of the UN Family.
TATOLI
