Government of Timor-Leste

On 17 March 2011, Timor-Leste held its 3rd National Consultation Meeting to discuss and review progress towards implementing the 10 Principles for Good International Engagement in Fragile States and Situations. Presided over by the Minister of Finance, Emília Pires, the Consultation provided an opportunity for the Government, development partners and civil society to identify key areas where progress has taken place and where challenges remain.

The day involved challenging and fruitful discussions covering a range of issues such as the changing global aid context and implications for Timor-Leste, ways toward strengthening and using country systems and how to best ensure Timor-Leste's development brings benefit to all equally. A preliminary report was shared with participants to seek their views and inputs. The National Directorate for Aid Effectiveness will use this feedback to produce Timor-Leste's Country Chapter which will be included in a global report used to inform discussions at the 4th High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness to be held in Busan, South Korea later this year.

Background

In April 2007, OECD Development Ministers endorsed a set of 10 Principles for Good International Engagement in Fragile States and Situations.

The Principles provide a set of guidelines to improve involvement of the international community in situations of conflict and fragility. These 10 Principles reflect a growing consensus between development partners and recipient countries, that fragile states require development responses, which take into consideration their specific needs, contexts and challenges.

In 2009, the Fragile States Principles baseline survey was launched covering a total of six countries. In 2011, with Timor-Leste nominated as Chair, the Survey is now being implemented in 14 countries. On March 2-3 2009, the leadership of Timor-Leste met to discuss these Principles. An initial Country Report was drafted as a product of these discussions, taking into account sentiments expressed by members of Government, development partners and civil society operating within Timor-Leste. This Country Report was further discussed at a National Consultation Meeting held on 17-18 September 2009.

It is understood that although international engagement will not by itself be able to fully address state fragility, the adoption of these shared principles can help maximize the positive impact of engagement and minimize unintentional harm. In countries where the Principles have been piloted, the Principles have already started to catalyze behavior change among international actors.