The Prime Minister closes Timor-Leste’s biggest ever international conference
Minister of State and of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and
Official Spokesperson for the Government of Timor-Leste
Díli, March 2, 2013
The Prime Minister closes Timor-Leste’s biggest ever international conference
The International Conference on the Post-2015 Development Agenda has ended with the Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, His Excellency Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, giving his closing remarks. The Prime Minister told the 227 international guests, representing over fifty countries and hundreds of Timorese delegates that “It has been an honour and a privilege for the people of Timor-Leste to host this conference.’ He encouraged the gathering with his final words: ‘We know our challenges are great but we also know that together we can find the answers.”
During the closing ceremony the Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands was represented by his Minister for Finance and Treasury, His Excellency Rick Nelson Houenipwela, who read the Díli Consensus, a document that encapsulates the outcomes of the consultations and discussions that have occurred during the meetings. This document which was unanimously endorsed emphasises the importance of national ownership of the development agenda while supporting the pursuit of universal aspirational goals at the global level. It points to four areas not adequately treated in the MDGs: inclusive economic growth, peacebuilding, statebuilding, and climate change and environmental management. The document notes that existing goals in relation to health, education, women’s empowerment and global partnerships should remain, with refinements. The Díli Consensus recognises that inclusive economic growth requires policies that are pro-jobs and pro-poor.
Prime Minister Gusmão referred to the document as “historic” and one that “sets out our priorities, and our hopes for the Post-2015 Development Agenda.” He said “This is a document that reflects the view of the g7+ nations, the Portuguese Speaking African Nations (PALOP), and our Pacific neighbours.”
The outcomes of this conference as articulated in the consensus statement will now feed into the report of the High Level Panel on the Post-2015 Development Agenda. Additionally the Special Envoys of the High Level Panel Co-Chairs will be reporting back to their respective Co-Chairs on the themes that have been shared in the conference in Díli.
Whilst most international visitors will leave Díli after the closing ceremony, g7+ focal points and some g7+ ministers will be staying to attend the Technical Meeting of the g7+ on the 1st and 2nd of March.
The Díli International Conference has been a unique endeavour. Prime Minister Gusmão noted that “For the first time, we fragile States have come together, speaking with one voice, to be part of the process of setting the global development framework in an equitable, sustainable and fair way.” Of this, he said, we should be proud.
