Today, August 28th, 2024, the Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Agio Pereira, represented the Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, at the opening of the Regional Seminar entitled “Community Involvement as a Basis for Transitional Justice Initiatives with an Impact on Lasting Peace”. The event, which takes place in Dili until August 30th, 2024, is an initiative of the Chega! National Centre (CNC), in collaboration with Asia Justice and Rights (AJAR), Asosiasaun Chega! Ba Ita (ACbit) and the Transitional Justice Asia Network (TJAN). 
This seminar is part of the commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the August 30th, 1999 referendum. It aims to create a platform for sharing experiences and successful practices in promoting peace and transitional justice in the Asia-Pacific region. Over three days, representatives from various civil society organisations, survivors and transitional justice experts discussed strategies to ensure that transitional justice initiatives are effective and contribute to sustainable peace.
During his speech, Minister Agio Pereira looked back over the first years of Timor-Leste’s independence, highlighting the challenges faced between 2002 and 2007, under the presidency of Xanana Gusmão, and then between 2007 and 2012, during his first term as Prime Minister. Agio Pereira addressed the first steps in building a democratic state. He also highlighted the importance of civil society, especially youth groups, in the struggle for national liberation. 
The Minister argued that “development depends on justice and peace. Without these pillars, it will not be possible to achieve development. Justice and peace are sine qua non conditions for development”.
Prominent personalities, including Ian Martin, UN Counselor, and Mercy Chriesty Barends, ASEAN Parliamentarian for Human Rights (TBC), also attended the seminar. During the event, important topics were discussed, such as violence prevention, community reconciliation initiatives, and the challenges of transitional justice in Southeast Asia and the Pacific.
Alongside the discussions, an exhibition was organised by civil society groups, illustrating the efforts and achievements of communities in promoting peace and defending the rights of victims.