November 1st, 2016 marked the handing over of the rotating presidency of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP) to Brazil at the Summit of Heads of State and Government, in Brasilia. The video presented below summarizes the main activities promoted by Timor-Leste during the two years of its presidency – from July 2014 to November 2016.
The video was produced by the Secretary of State for Social Communication (SECOMS) and the images clearly show the direction given to the strengthening of the Community through the entrepreneurial side, the importance of Timor-Leste in the commercial relations between the CPLP and the Asia-Pacific countries, the mutual benefit in the exploration of mineral resources – with an emphasis given to the hydrocarbons -, the importance of the diffusion of the Portuguese language and solidarity with Guinea Bissau, where Timor-Leste supported the local elections. Prominent among the many activities carried out during the last two years are the Global Economic Forum, the Cultural Festival and the International Conference on the future of the Portuguese language in the world system.
The video also includes statements by the President of the Republic of Timor-Leste, Taur Matan Ruak, by the President of the Special Administrative Region of Oe-Cusse Ambeno – Economic Zone for Social Market Economy- Mari Alkatiri, by the former President of the Republic and Nobel Peace Prize, José Ramos Horta, by the Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Alfredo Pires, by the Minister of State, Coordinating Minister of Social Affairs and Minister of Education, António da Conceição, by the CPLP Executive Secretary, Murade Murargy, by the former Prime Minister of Guinea Bissau, Domingos Simões Pereira, and by the Portuguese Minister of the Environment, Spatial Planning and Energy, Jorge Moreira da Silva.
A Report on the Timorese Presidency of the CPLP was also produced and was presented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hernâni Coelho, at the 21st Meeting of the Council of Ministers in Brasília preceding the Summit of Heads of State and Government.
The 33rd Meeting of the Focal Points for Cooperation took place on October 26th and 27th. The Meeting of the Permanent Coordination Committee was held on October 29th.