On October 8th, 2024, the Vice Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Social Affairs, Mariano Assanami Sabino, in his capacity as Acting Prime Minister, chaired the opening of the National Seminar on “Strengthening Inclusiveness in the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Sector (WASH) and the Response to Climate Change”, held in the hall of the HAK Association. 
In his speech, the Acting Prime Minister expressed his gratitude to the partners who have collaborated with the Government to improve access to water, especially in rural areas. He also emphasised that the Government, aware of the extreme importance of water, has committed itself, through BTL.EP, to carrying out mapping aimed at adopting concrete measures to respond to society’s needs and improve access to drinking water. 
During the workshop, the main obstacles to the development of the water sector, such as political issues, budget limitations and the lack of coordination between services, were discussed and identified.
The Vice Prime Minister assured the Executive’s commitment to act in the necessary areas: “As Vice Prime Minister, together with the Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, we will work on political, budgetary and legislative issues, taking these concerns to the Council of Ministers. Civil society has been an important ally and can continue to contribute to the development of our country. Count on me”, said Mariano Assanami Sabino. 
The Vice Prime Minister also emphasised the vital importance of water for people’s consumption, agriculture, and livestock. He called for the conservation of water sources and encouraged the planting of trees in the mountains to preserve them. He also called for joint efforts to sensitise the population to the recovery of degraded areas in the face of climate change. 
This seminar was organised by Water Aid, with the support of Australia AID and Water for Women, and attended by several relevant institutions and partners. 