Timor-Leste Hosts Evaluation of the UN Convention Against Corruption and Discusses Its National Anti-Corruption Strategy
This week, from May 27 to 29, 2025, Timor-Leste is hosting an important international event in the global fight against corruption. This event includes a visit from representatives of the member states of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) to review Timor-Leste's implementation of the Convention, as well as the National Dialogue for the Development of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (ENAK, acronym in Tetum).
The initiative, led by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), takes place in the Noble Hall of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation in Dili. It is attended by international experts from the Republic of Bulgaria and the Marshall Islands, who are UNCAC member countries responsible for the technical review of Timor-Leste's implementation.
The event brings together representatives from 43 national institutions, including sovereign bodies, judicial institutions, security forces, civil society, and the private sector, adopting a multisectoral and participatory approach aimed at consolidating integrity, transparency, and good governance in the country.
At the opening session, the Minister of Justice, Sérgio de Jesus Fernandes da Costa Hornai, highlighted the significance of this international assessment as an opportunity to strengthen the rule of law and ensure legal compliance, reaffirming that “one of the main objectives of the 9th Constitutional Government's program is to consolidate the justice sector as a pillar of the democratic state and respect for human rights.”
The review currently underway corresponds to the Second Cycle of UNCAC Evaluation, focusing on Chapters II (Preventive Measures) and V (Asset Recovery). This process facilitates the identification of progress made, ongoing challenges, and priority areas for intervention, thereby strengthening legal and institutional mechanisms for preventing and combating corruption.
Simultaneously, the National Dialogue for the Development of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy is being conducted, coordinated by the Anti-Corruption Commission (CAC), to establish an integrated and inclusive vision for combating corruption in Timor-Leste, based on international best practices and in accordance with the spirit of the UNCAC.
CAC Commissioner Rui Pereira dos Santos emphasised that “the joint holding of these events reinforces the Timorese State's commitment to good governance, based on the principles of integrity, transparency, and accountability.” He added that the active participation of public institutions, the private sector, and civil society represents a crucial step towards strengthening the national anti-corruption system.
During the three-day work session, representatives from public institutions, civil society, and the private sector will have the opportunity to share experiences, clarify doubts, and gather recommendations for the ongoing improvement of the national anti-corruption legal and institutional framework. The process will culminate in the preparation of a national report and the publication of an executive summary by the UNCAC Secretariat.
