The Secretary of State for the Council of Ministers and
Official Spokesperson for the Government of Timor-Leste
Díli, April 8, 2010
Timor-Leste Development Partners Meeting (TLDPM) expresses confidence in the Government and progress of Timor-Leste
Over 300 people from 45 countries gathered at the Timor-Leste Development Partners Meeting (TLDPM) yesterday to review progress, discuss challenges and look to future plans of the Government and aid delivery institutions. The meeting launched a week of meetings including the g7+ summit and the Díli International Dialogue conference.
The Government, members of National Parliament, representatives of the international community, representatives from civil society and some 40 development partners and country representatives were present at the newly refurbished Díli Convention Centre to engage in robust dialogue; ultimately to better aid effectiveness.
Prime Minister H.E. Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão delivered a bold speech, highlighting a Timorese perspective of the past, the present and future. The Prime Minister noted that significant progress has been made in Timor-Leste despite seemingly insurmountable challenges, he said “We have managed to instill a culture of accountability, participation and debate, as well as a culture of checks and balances in policies and decisions made by the Government regarding critical situations”. The Prime Minister ended the speech by launching the summary of Timor-Leste’s National Strategic Plan (SDP) 2011 – 2030, which begins a process of national consultation with the Timorese.
Development partners expressed their continued commitment to Timor-Leste and their confidence in the progress, direction and policies of the Xanana Gusmão Government.
The Head of the United Nations Mission in Timor-Leste, Special Representative of the Secretary General, Ms. Ameerah Haq, expressed her congratulations to the Government for “the achievements of 2009 in maintaining economic stability and prudent fiscal management’. She welcomed ‘the steps taken by the government of Timor-Leste to improve accountability, culminating with the recent appointment of the Anti Corruption Commission Commissioner.”
The Special Representative expressed the common view that “the Timorese economy is at a turning point from recovery to development’. She suggested there ‘should be bolder, yet fiscally responsible, withdrawals from the Petroleum Fund, to invest more heavily in human capital and productive physical assets to support strong socio-economic development in the years to come”. Deputy Special Representative Reske-Nielsen also noted “the Oil Fund still ranks as a model of prudent management to conserve wealth for future generations but this does not rule out increased investment today.’
In the afternoon session several members of the Government outlined recent accomplishments and areas where progress is being made; supported by the launch of the Mid- term Government Achievement Report, The Path to Peace and Progress.
Secretary of State Ágio Pereira said “The spirit of partnership in the meeting yesterday and the confidence expressed by development partners in the directions and policies of the Government are a validation of what we Timorese know, that we are heading out of conflict into a period of rapid development. It seems after two and half years of prudent fiscal management and double-digit economic growth, the international community supports our plans to make better use of the Petroleum Fund in the development process, particularly in regards to infrastructure. This demonstrates a confidence in the Government”.