Several members of the Covernment celebrated World Environment Day on June 5, in the village of Lauana, Ermera district, along with students and teachers, development partners, local authorities and community, to promote the importance of environment on life.

The Minister of Economy and Development, João Gonçalves, recalled that the year 2011 was set as the International Year of Forests, “to raise awareness among the people of the importance that the forest environment has in life. Thus, we must develop a sense of respect, love and conservation regarding the forest. Hopefully with the celebration of this event, we, all the Timorese citizens, can make a contribution to the conservation and protection of the Environment as an effective means to achieve sustainable development”.

It should be noted that Timor-Leste has ratified four United Nations Conventions and two Protocols, namely: the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, Vienna Convention for the protection of the Ozone Layer, Kyoto Protocol and Protocol Montreal. Timor-Leste’s aim is to ensure a sustainable national development and an environment-friendly one and contribute to the protection and conservation of natural resources for future generations.