The Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Agio Pereira, met today, October 28^th, 2024, with Michael Schiffer, Assistant Administrator of the Asia Office of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), to discuss current projects and explore new areas of cooperation between Timor-Leste and the United States. The meeting aimed to discuss current projects and identify new areas of cooperation between Timor-Leste and the United States, especially in economic development, emphasising food security, nutrition and preserving Timor-Leste’s biodiversity. 

Donna Welton, Ambassador of the United States to Timor-Leste; Michael Stern, Acting Director of the USAID Mission in Timor-Leste; Hailey Becker, Chief of Staff of USAID’s Asia Office; Amy Uber, USAID’s agricultural development consultant; and Germano Boavida, USAID’s democracy and governance project management consultant, also attended the meeting.

During the meeting, Minister Agio Pereira highlighted the main initiatives of the Government’s Programme, focusing on the agricultural sector. The programme aims to promote rural development and ensure food security in Timor-Leste. 

As set out in its programme, the 9th Constitutional Government intends to strengthen the primary sector throughout its mandate as the basis for economic and social development, particularly in rural areas where most of the population resides. With a particular focus on food security, poverty reduction and the transition to more entrepreneurial agricultural production, the Government aims to implement actions that promote sustainable farming practices, increase productivity and valorise the country’s natural resources, improve the population’s well-being, and promote inclusive and sustainable rural development. 

 Collaboration with USAID has supported projects to strengthen nutrition and preserve local biodiversity, complementing the Government’s efforts in various areas.