Government of Timor-Leste

The Vice Minister of Social Solidarity and Inclusion, Céu Brites, and the Secretary of State for Equality, Elvina Sousa Carvalho, are representing Timor-Leste at the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on the Beijing+30 Review, which is taking place at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok, Thailand, from November 19^th to 21^st 2024. During her intervention at the High-Level Panel held on the first day of the Conference, the Secretary of State highlighted the progress made by Timor-Leste in implementing the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, reaffirming the Government's commitment to gender equality and the empowerment of women. 

In her statement, Elvina Sousa Carvalho thanked UN Women and other partners for their continued collaboration with Timor-Leste. She underlined the progress made in the last five years, particularly in reducing maternal and child mortality, increasing female political representation, and implementing inclusive policies and programmes. 

“Women's economic empowerment is essential for reducing poverty and promoting inclusive development. The Government is committed to establishing an environment that enables the eradication of extreme poverty, with special attention to women and the most vulnerable groups, including those on low incomes and those living in rural areas”, said the Secretary of State. 

Significant results included the approval of the 3rd National Action Plan against Gender-Based Violence (2022-2032), the National Action Plan for UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, and the strengthening of the Maubisse Declaration on Women's Economic Empowerment.

Recognising the challenges, such as the persistence of gender-based violence, the Secretary of State praised the efforts coordinated by the National Action Plan to prevent and combat this issue, highlighting the increase in the reporting of crimes as a reflection of positive social changes. 

Elvina Sousa Carvalho also emphasised the impact of climate change on women and reaffirmed the Government's commitment to ensuring a transversal approach that integrates gender equality in disaster risk management.

“Although Timor-Leste is still far from fully implementing the Beijing Declaration, the progress made since we gained independence in 2002 shows that we are on the right path. In partnership with the United Nations and the international community, we believe that substantive equality is achievable”, the Secretary of State concluded. 

The Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on the Beijing+30 Review brings together leaders, experts, and organisations from across the region to assess progress and set priorities for achieving gender equality and women's empowerment, aligning efforts with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Mrs Elvina Sousa Carvalho, Secretary of State for Equality, and Mrs Céu Brites, Vice Minister of Social Solidarity and Inclusion, led the Timor-Leste delegation. The delegation also included the Director General of the Secretary of State for Equality, Armando da Costa, the Counsellor for Gender Equality Policy of the Secretary of State, Santina Soares, and the Counsellor and Chargé d'Affaires of the Timor-Leste Embassy in Thailand, Pedro Simões.