Government of Timor-Leste

Minister of State and of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and

Official Spokesperson for the Government of Timor-Leste

 Dili, August 2nd, 2016

Government welcomes visitors participating in the ASEAN Civil Society Conference / ASEAN People’s Forum 2016

The Government of Timor-Leste warmly welcomes all delegates who will be participating in the ASEAN Civil Society Conference / ASEAN People’s Forum 2016 in Dili..The Conference, to be held at the Dili Convention Centre between the 3^rd and 5^th of August, is expected to attract 800 delegates, with approximately half of those travelling from ASEAN countries.

Participants from civil society organizations located in ASEAN member states will join with their Timorese colleagues to discuss the theme of “Expanding People’s Solidarity for a Just and Inclusive ASEAN Community.”

The Government commends the work of the National Organizing Committee in preparing for the conference and many associated activities taking place throughout the week which include a film festival, solidarity night, community site visits, workshops and a Town Hall dialogue with ASEAN parliamentarians. Whilst the conference is an independent event, the Government has offered support, where appropriate, to facilitate what is predicted to be the largest forum ever staged in Dili.

H.E. Prime Minister, Dr. Rui Maria de Araújo has been invited as a key note speaker at the opening ceremony of the 11^th ASEAN People’s Forum on the 3^rd of August and he will hold a series of meetings with various national and regional participants to discuss civil society’s engagements with Government from the Government’s perspective. The Minister of Planning and Strategic Investment, H.E. Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão is also scheduled to address conference delegates on the topic “People at the Centre”.

Constructive interaction with Timor-Leste’s Civil Society Organizations has been a hallmark of the modality of the Sixth Constitutional Government.

The ASEAN Civil Society Conference / ASEAN People’s Forum 2016 have prepared a Joint Statement ahead of the Conference that is available here: http://aseanpeople.org/expanding-peoples-solidariy/

ENDS