The Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Timor-Leste , Roberto Soares, spoke in an open debate on the subject of “The maintenance of international peace and security: the challenges of peace and security, faced by small-island States”. The debate took place at the Security Council of the United Nations, in New York, on July 30th, 2015.
Accompanied Roberto Soares the Plenipotentiary Ambassador to the United Nations, Sofia Borges, the Director Licínio Branco, and the second Secretary of the Permanent Mission of Timor-Leste in New York.
The Vice Minister communicated to the members of the Security Council of the United Nations and to other delegations information on the developments of Timor-Leste in various sectors.
Expressed, in particular, his pride that Timor-Leste, as sovereign Nation, does not appear on the agenda and concerns of the Security Council since December, 2012. This demonstrates the willingness of the leadership and the determination of the Timorese people to live on a path of peace and prosperity.
“We thank the international community and the United Nations the accomplishments that we have achieved. On behalf of the people of Timor-Leste, I wish to take this opportunity to express our profound gratitude to His Excellency the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Bang Ki-Moon, by his personal involvement and commitment to our peace and State building process,” said Roberto Soares.
On the issue of climate change, the Vice Minister considered it potentially hampering of development, having contributed to increase the tension and conflicts worldwide. It is, therefore, of paramount importance to combine strengths to combat these threats, through a worldwide coordinated effort.
Also pointed out that a fair distribution of income for the population is a factor of major importance to global security. Timor-Leste is proud to be a country that has always been in the front line when it comes to the management of natural resources.
The other speakers from small-island States, also expressed their opinion that transnational crimes, illegal exploitation of resources, climate change, natural disasters and other factors that threaten the small islands should be seen globally and in the context of international stability.
The UN Secretary-General has considered the issues raised by small-island States as a global challenge that has to be faced as a collective responsibility.
As regards to the question of maritime borders, Roberto Soares reiterated to the members of the Security Council the importance given by the Government of Timor-Leste to the fundamental principles of the UN Conventions on the Law of the Sea, which outline their maritime borders and the sovereignty of the country within them: “Timor-Leste, as a maritime country, is based on trust and respect for International Law and seeks peaceful solutions to international disputes, in a framework and resorting to multilateral mechanisms.”
The open debate was headed by New Zealand, which held the presidency of the UN Security Council during the month of July, and with the participation of more than 70 speakers.
From a document prepared by the delegation of New Zealand, the United Nations ranked 52 countries as small-islands States, of which 37 are its Member States.