FRANCE, 14 June 2025 (TATOLI) — Timor-Leste has reaffirmed its commitment to implementing Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14) and called for international cooperation in advancing ocean-related initiatives.
Representing the island nation known as the “crocodile island,” Vice Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Minister of Tourism and Environment, and Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Francisco Kalbuadi Lay, led Timor-Leste’s delegation and addressed the plenary at the Ocean Conference co-hosted by France and Costa Rica.
Held in Nice, France, from June 9–13, the United Nations Conference welcomed active participation from countries around the world.
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Livestock, and Forestry (MAFLF), Marcos da Cruz, also part of the delegation, emphasized that ocean issues are not confined to any one nation—they require global attention.
He urged major nations to support developing countries through financial assistance, capacity-building, waste and coastal management, and biodiversity conservation.
“Our interventions and proposals across the panels appeal for joint efforts with global powers to support financial systems, coastal and waste management, and biodiversity protection,” Minister said.
The global goal is to conserve and protect 30 percent of the ocean by 2030.
The Timor-Leste delegation included the Vice Prime Minister and the Minister of MAFLF. In their presentation, they highlighted the National Strategic Development Plan (NSDP) 2011–2030 and the national biodiversity action plan, which aim to conserve and manage marine ecosystems in coastal and deep-sea areas.
The Minister emphasized that Timor-Leste has already established marine protected areas such as Nino Konis Santana National Park in Jaco Island and in Atauro, along with extensive activities presented during Ocean Week.
“Timor-Leste is a small nation, but our islands of Atauro and Jaco are rich in biodiversity, including many coral species. We are committed to their preservation,” said Minister Marcos da Cruz.
The government’s Blue Economy Program includes ecosystem restoration through mangrove rehabilitation, coral reef recovery, and coastal protection. These pillars were key points in Timor-Leste’s presentation to global participants at the event.
Another priority raised by Timor-Leste was preventing and reducing marine pollution originating from inland activities, as small island nations like Timor-Leste are disproportionately impacted by plastic waste.
“With plastic pollution, we’ve launched coastal cleanup programs and declared Ocean Week as a time to clean our seas,” Minister added.
He also pointed out that major plastic-producing countries must be part of the solution: “We asked for collaboration from global producers to jointly develop strategies to control and reduce pollution so that it doesn’t harm our oceans.”
In a separate panel, he discussed sustainable fisheries management, including support for small-scale fishers.
The Minister informed the forum that Timor-Leste has over 6,000 small-scale fishers, with more than 4,000 using traditional methods. The government continues to seek support for them.
“We’re working closely with fishing communities by offering training in coastal zone management, establishing protected areas, and promoting awareness of which species are sustainable for consumption and economic benefit,” he said, noting illegal fishing as an ongoing challenge.
This year’s conference was themed “Accelerating Action and Mobilizing All Stakeholders to Conserve and Sustainably Use the Ocean.”
SDG 14, titled “Life Below Water,” focuses on the conservation and sustainable use of oceans, seas, and marine resources by addressing marine pollution, minimizing ocean acidification, regulating fisheries, and protecting marine and coastal ecosystems.
Journalist: Nelson de Sousa
Editor: Rita Almeida
Translation: Rafael Ximenes de A. Belo
