Government of Timor-Leste

Minister of State and of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and

Official Spokesperson for the Government of Timor-Leste

Díli, 5th October, 2012

Strengthened International Relationships and an Increased Visibility for Timor-Leste after UN Meetings

The Prime Minister has returned after a successful visit to the United States where he and his delegation completed an ambitious program of speaking engagements and high-level meetings during the 67^th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York City.

A centre piece of the meetings for both Timor-Leste and the g7+ was the High-level Side Event entitled The New Deal: g7+ Perspectives and Experiences, co-chaired by His Excellency Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão and President of the Republic of Liberia, Her Excellency Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf. This event, hosted by the Governments of Afghanistan, Liberia and Timor-Leste, attracted a capacity audience and featured impressive cross regional participation with powerful interventions demonstrating the strong voice and leadership of the g7+. Along with the co-chairs the panel included His Excellency Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, President of the Republic of Indonesia, Her Excellency Ms. Julia Gillard, MP, Prime Minister of Australia, His Excellency Mr. Laurent Salvador Lamothe, Prime Minister of Haiti, His Excellency Mr. Gordon Darcy Lilo, MP, Prime Minister of Solomon Islands, His Excellency Dr. Zalmai Rassoul, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and His Excellency Mr. Christian Friis Bach, Minister of Development Cooperation, Denmark.

In addition to the contributions from the panel, many g7+ Ministers made remarks from the floor emphasizing the role of peacebuilding and statebuilding in conflict-affected countries. Conclusions from the discussions at this event are planned to feed into the work of the High-level Panel set to shape the United Nations Post-2015 Development Agenda.

The lessons learned in Timor-Leste’s journey towards peace and resilience, shared in the g7+ Event, were also featured in the Prime Minister Gusmão’s address to the United Nations General Assembly, an important occasion to update member states on national progress. The Prime Minister noted that 2012 “marks not exactly the end of a chapter in our history of peacebuilding – but, more particularly, the start of a new one – a chapter of ongoing institutional strengthening, seeking to boost national development”. His speech then detailed the key elements of the five-year program of the Government and explained how they interface with the Timor-Leste’s Strategic Development Plan 2011-2030. With UNMIT’s departure by year’s end, Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão emphasized that ongoing relationships would be guided by the principles of the New Deal, as advocated by the g7+, and these would be marked by innovation, dynamism and effectiveness.

In closing his speech to the General Assembly Prime Minister Gusmão reflected on the 38 years that Timor-Leste has walked the corridors of the UN and reminded fellow member states that “Human dignity must be at the core of decisions on problems affecting our planet. We must have an overall sense of the existence, the fears, the suffering, the despair and the fight for survival of men and women around the world.”

Whilst in New York the Prime Minister also delivered remarks in a Celebration honoring President of Indonesia Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono for his leadership in the Coral Triangle initiative on coral reefs, fisheries and food security. This occasion highlighted the strong bonds of friendship between Timor-Leste and Indonesia. In his remarks Prime Minister Gusmão noted that during the Government’s five-year program Timor-Leste will continue to work with other signatories to the CTI declaration to protect coral reefs and fisheries. He also pointed to the action plans developed for the Nino Konis Santana National Park and to the formalization of the National Aquaculture strategy as important developments to ensure the conservation of Timor-Leste’s precious natural environment.

The Prime Minister congratulated the Indonesian President on his leadership, reflecting on the deep, multifaceted and forward looking relationship that has been fostered with Timor-Leste.

During the U.S. visit Prime Minister Gusmão also participated in a High-level Event on Peacebuilding where he joined the Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon and the Prime Ministers of Australia and Bangladesh in addressing “pathways to sustainable peace and security.” The Prime Minister spoke of Timor-Leste’s experience and lessons learned in peacebuilding and statebuilding, highlighting the challenges and mechanisms used to address the root causes of fragility and emphasizing the need for “local ownership and leadership” in order to “ensure all stakeholders contribute as agents of peace and development.”

Whilst in New York the Prime Minister participated in the launch of The “Education First Initiative” along with many heads of state and government. Delivering an address at the reception marking the launch of this initiative, the Prime Minister outlined the progress made in the field of education in Timor-Leste along with the many challenges remaining, underlining “we are determined to give our young people the chance of a better future.”

Apart from these key events and speeches there were several bilateral meetings for the Prime Minister and a busy schedule for both the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation including meeting with CPLP Ministers, and the Minister of Finance, who participated in a number of events related to her role on the 26 member High-level Panel of Eminent Persons advising the Secretary-General on the Post-2015 Development Agenda.

Spokesperson for the Fifth Constitutional Government noted “the Prime Minister and delegation have completed a packed program in this recent visit in order to maximize the profile and enhance the partnerships of Timor-Leste in the international community. The strengthening of our international bonds of friendship and the increased visibility and understanding of Timor-Leste serves the interests of the nation.”