The Secretary of State for Fisheries, Domingos da Conceição dos Santos, took part in the 37th session of the Asia-Pacific Regional Conference (APRC) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), which took place between February 19^th and 22^nd in Colombo, Sri Lanka. 

The APRC is a regional meeting organised by the FAO, dedicated to Asia and the Pacific, to discuss and address issues such as food security, sustainable agriculture, and rural development. During the conference, representatives of the region’s member countries, experts, non-governmental organisations, and other relevant stakeholders meet to discuss and debate policies, strategies, and initiatives to improve agricultural production, promote food security, and fight hunger. The conference also serves as a forum for exchanging experiences and good practices between the region’s countries, promoting regional cooperation and collaboration. 

In his speech, the Secretary of State reaffirmed the “commitment [of the Government of Timor-Leste] to contribute to the global actions of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially concerning SDG-2 (Zero Hunger), SDG-13 (Climate Action), SDG-14 (Life on Water) and SDG-15 (Life on Land)”.

Domingos da Conceição dos Santos explained that “the impacts of climate change are affecting small farmers, livestock and fishermen (including water scarcity) and represent a major challenge for Timor-Leste’s agricultural and food sector”. 

He also expressed his desire for “closer participation and collaboration in South-South and Triangular Cooperation”.

“On behalf of the Delegation of Timor-Leste”, the Secretary of State praised “FAO’s efforts to seriously consider the establishment of a full representation in Timor-Leste as a fundamental step towards strengthening the partnership between FAO and Timor-Leste”.