DILI, 28 May 2025 (TATOLI) – The Secretariat of State for Forestry, in collaboration with UNESCO, held a seminar to form a committee that will define the official status of Nino Konis Santana National Park as part of the country’s efforts to nominate it for the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
The Nino Konis Santana National Park is Timor-Leste’s first national park. The park, established on 15 august 2007, covers 1,236 square kilometers.
The committee’s mission includes drafting a Conservation Action Plan (CAP) and preparing the necessary documentation to support the park’s nomination.
The Secretary of State for Forestry Fernandino Vieira da Costa highlighted the importance of the initiative, saying: “It is important to formally define the status of Nino Konis Santana National Park so we can submit its nomination to UNESCO, especially given its historical significance.”
Although the area was officially declared a national park in 2007, Vieira da Costa acknowledged that the key infrastructure needed to support tourism and conservation efforts has yet to be developed.
He added that the nomination document — which will include a site description, detailed mapping, photographs, and videos — is currently being compiled, and stressed that the preparation process should be completed as soon as possible to enable submission of the bid to UNESCO by 30 September.
Among ASEAN countries, only Brunei and Timor-Leste lack World Heritage Sites. Indonesia leads the list with ten inscribed sites, followed by Vietnam with eight inscribed sites, Thailand with has seven, the Philippines six, Malaysia five, Cambodia four, Laos three, Myanmar two, and Singapore one.
According to UNESCO, biosphere reserves include terrestrial, marine and coastal ecosystems. “Each site promotes solutions reconciling the conservation of biodiversity with its sustainable use.”
The potential recognition of Nino Konis Santana National Park as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve would mark a significant step in safeguarding Timor-Leste’s ecological and cultural heritage while enhancing its international conservation profile.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
