HONIARA, 09 July 2025 (TATOLI) — The Government of Timor-Leste has proposed the promotion of sustainable natural resource management initiatives, particularly among g7+ member countries, to ensure long-term benefits for their people.
The proposal was presented during a meeting between the Timor-Leste delegation—comprising Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Francisco Monteiro and g7+ Secretary-General Helder da Costa—and Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele.
The meeting took place at the Prime Minister’s Office in Honiara, where the delegation presented an official letter from Timor-Leste’s Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, addressed to the leaders of the g7+ countries.
“We met with the Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands Jeremiah Manele, to deliver an official letter from our Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, urging all g7+ countries to safeguard their natural resources and ensure they are utilized, extracted, and explored for the benefit of their people,” Helder da Costa told TATOLI.
In the letter, Prime Minister Gusmão proposed the establishment of a Mineral Fund—a shared mechanism to manage and protect the natural resource wealth of g7+ nations and support sustainable development efforts.
He also introduced the idea of creating a g7+ Investment Bank to help finance national development projects and boost economic cooperation among member countries.
Da Costa added that the proposals will be discussed at the upcoming g7+ Heads of State and Government meeting, scheduled for September on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
“The g7+ is committed to pursuing this collective vision to ensure long-term prosperity for our citizens,” said da Costa.
Prime Minister Manele welcomed the proposals and expressed his government’s full support, highlighting the importance of strengthening cooperation across various sectors between Timor-Leste and the Solomon Islands.
Journalist: Cidalia Fátima
Editor: Filomeno Martins
