The Secretary of State for the Council of Ministers and

Official Spokesperson for the Government of Timor-Leste

 

Díli, March 7, 2012

Ministers of Timor-Leste and Denmark share leadership of the International Dialogue on Peacebuilding and Statebuilding

 

The international profile of Timor-Leste has risen in recent years as it has taken on the responsibility of leadership in key international forums. Representing Timor-Leste, Minister of Finance, Her Excellency Emilia Pires has been a co-chair of the International Dialogue (ID) on Peacebuilding and Statebuilding since April of 2010. The ID, established in 2008, was the first forum to bring together countries affected by conflict and fragility and their international partners. More than 40 countries and international organizations currently take part in this forum.

The International Dialogue created space and support for the emergence of the distinct and independent group known as the g7+, currently representing 19 fragile and conflict-affected nations. This group, chaired by Timor-Leste, has made an impact on the global stage and plays a vital role in the ‘Dialogue’ forum.

Timor-Leste is pleased to announce and welcome the new co-chair of the International Dialogue, Mr. Chris Friis Bach, Minister for Development Coordination, from the Government of Denmark. Mr. Bach’s acceptance of the co-chairing role marks a significant milestone in the history of the ID as it is the first time that both chairs have been at the Ministerial level. The Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, His Excellency Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, has written personally to the Prime Minister of Denmark Ms. Helle Thorning-Schmidt to thank her for making Minister Bach available to contribute to the role, for promoting peacebuilding and statebuilding and for being a nation that supports the Fragile States agenda.

The Danish Government strongly supports the international aid effectiveness agenda with its key principles of national ownership, alignment and harmonization.  Denmark is one of the highest contributors of aid per capita in the world having for many years provided Overseas Development Assistance above the United Nations target of 0.7% of Gross National Income. Last year they provided 0.9%, with an objective to reach 1.0% of GNI over the coming years. Denmark has also done more for untying aid than any other OECD country, marking pathways for best practice in international engagement in fragile States.

Co-chair, Minister Pires met with Minister Bach on the occasion of the presentation of the New Deal in Busan, South Korea last year when the Government of Denmark was one of the first to fully endorse its new paradigm for aid delivery in fragile and conflict-affected states. The New Deal is the first aid architecture for conflict affected nations to promote peacebuilding and statebuilding as foundations to accelerate achievement toward the MDG’s. The co-chairs will now preside over the International Dialogue while member Nations pilot the New Deal and pursue endorsement of the Peacebuilding and Statebuilding Agenda at the United Nations.