Meeting of the Council of Ministers on October 18th, 2024
Presidency of the Council of Ministers
Spokesperson of the Government of Timor-Leste
Ninth Constitutional Government
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Press Release
Meeting of the Council of Ministers on October 18th, 2024
The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace in Dili and approved the draft Decree-Law, presented by the Vice-Prime Minister, Minister Coordinator for Social Affairs and Minister of Rural Development and Community Housing, Mariano Assanami Sabino, and the Executive Director of the Mission Unit for Combating Stunting, Joel Maria Pereira, for the first amendment to Decree-Law no. 91/2022, of December 22, on the Mission Unit for Combating Stunting.
Decree-Law no. 91/2022 created the Mission Unit for Combating Stunting with the mission of drawing up and implementing the National Plan to Combat Stunting and promoting coordination between government bodies in the fight against child malnutrition. However, although the National Plan to Combat Stunting has been completed, the planned measures have not yet been fully implemented.
To ensure the continuity of this work, the Government intends to extend the mandate of the Mission Unit until December 31st, 2030, allowing the plan to be fully implemented and the high rate of stunting in Timor-Leste to be combated. This amendment also aims to adjust the new ministerial framework resulting from the organization of the Ninth Constitutional Government, whereby the Mission Unit for Combating Stunting is now under the supervision of the Vice-Prime Minister and Minister Coordinator for Social Affairs. This draft Decree-Law also aims to ensure effective and efficient coordination between the various government departments and Public Administration bodies in carrying out the responsibilities related to nutritional security assigned in the Plan.
At the previous meeting of the Council of Ministers, the Annual National Multisectoral Plan to Combat Stunting for the period 2024 to 2030 was also approved, with the aim of reducing the stunting rate and improving nutritional health in Timor-Leste.
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The Council of Ministers endorsed the agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on measures to Improve Resilience and Livelihoods in the Rural Sector, presented by the Vice-Prime Minister and Minister of Rural Development and Community Housing, Mariano Assanami Sabino. This agreement aims to increase the resilience of around 46,000 people in the rural areas of the Manatuto Municipality.
This project mainly aims to improve access to water, promote the adoption of smart agricultural practices adapted to climate change and strengthen the institutional and organizational capacities of rural communities. The initiative, in line with the priorities of the Ninth Constitutional Government, includes investments in hydro infrastructure, training of agricultural groups and the development of more diversified livelihoods that are resilient to climate change. It is also planned that this rural development model to be implemented in Manatuto will be replicated in other municipalities, thus promoting the sustainable development of Timor-Leste.
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Finally, the Council of Ministers approved the draft Decree-Law establishing the Community Revitalization Programme, also presented by the Vice-Prime Minister and Minister for Rural Development and Community Housing, Mariano Assanami Sabino.
The program aims to promote the economic and social development of rural communities by supporting productive activities in the agriculture, fishing, livestock, forestry and horticulture sectors, as well as infrastructure and equipment of collective interest. Aligned with the principles of sustainability, social inclusion and community participation, the program provides grants for community projects to strengthen local capacities and promote community resilience throughout the country. END
