From October 23rd to 25th, 2024, the Dili Convention Centre hosted the Fifth National Conference on Climate Change. The opening session was chaired by the President of the Tourism Authority of Timor-Leste (ATTL, IP), Virgilio Smith, representing the Vice Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister of Economic Affairs and Minister of Tourism and Environment, Francisco Kalbuadi Lay. Organised by the Ministry of Tourism and Environment in collaboration with the Climate Change Working Group, the conference is part of National Environment Day celebrations on October 25th. 
Under the slogan “Together we support the global response to the threat of climate change, strengthening climate action to build resilience in Timor-Leste”, the conference emphasised the need for a joint response to face environmental challenges, promoting actions that strengthen resilience and environmental preservation.
In his opening speech, Virgilio Smith, on behalf of Vice Prime Minister Francisco Kalbuadi Lay, expressed “gratitude to the participants, especially the international and national partners, who have taken on this initiative to share experiences on climate change, at a time when Timor-Leste is facing serious environmental challenges that put the country at risk”. The President of ATTL also called on “international and national organisations and the entire population to collaborate with the State in the fight to reduce the threats of climate change in Timor-Leste”. 
Representatives from international and national organisations, government officials, community leaders, and students attended the conference. The participants discussed strategies and innovations to mitigate the country’s effects of climate change, underlining the joint commitment to strengthening Timor-Leste’s climate resilience.
Virgilio Smith also addressed the young people present, encouraging them to spread the knowledge they have learnt to rural communities, promoting a culture of preservation and respect for nature. “We all need to develop the spirit of preservation, conservation and care for the environment, loving nature with heart and soul and becoming friends of nature”, he said. 
Throughout the three-day event, participants got involved in various activities, including seminars, tree planting and exhibitions, reinforcing Timor-Leste’s commitment to actions to combat climate change and promote environmental sustainability.