The Government of Timor-Leste and UNFPA jointly Hold Stakeholders’ Consultation for the next Country Programme of Cooperation (2026-2030)
Dili, 17 February 2025 – UNFPA Timor-Leste and the Government of Timor-Leste through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, hosted a one-day national consultation for the next Country Programme of Cooperation supported by UNFPA, following an evaluation of the current Programme being implemented during the period of 2021-2025.
The development of the new Country Programme is informed by past cooperation, driven by the needs and priorities of the country and its people. It is aligned with the long and medium term plans and strategies of the Government of Timor-Leste for accelerated progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. The consultation brought together a wide range of stakeholders including government ministries and institutions, civil society organizations (CSOs), development partners, the UN, and rights-holders, to ensure that the programme development process is evidence informed, inclusive and consultative, and is owned by the national stakeholders involved.
Organized under the auspices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, the consultation was an important milestone to align UNFPA's country programme of cooperation with the government priorities and the needs of the Timorese population.
During the opening, UNFPA Country Representative in Timor-Leste, Ms. Navchaa Suren, emphasized that Timor-Leste has made significant progress in improving the health and well-being of women, girls and young people since its independence. UNFPA’s programmes over the past 20 years have contributed to the success. Our continued cooperation with the Government of Timor-Leste aims to support Timor-Leste to achieve three transformative results: ending preventable maternal deaths, ending the unmet need for family planning, and eliminating gender-based violence and harmful practices.
Navchaa Suren thanked UNFPA’s national partners for their invaluable insights, experience and synergies to collectively contribute to design a bold, people-centered and inclusive programme which addresses the needs of the population, particularly the most vulnerable groups.
"We will work together to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every child birth is safe, every woman and every girl lives a life free of violence, and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.
In the opening speech, H.E. Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Bendito dos Santos Freitas emphasized the importance of the partnership between the Government of Timor-Leste and UNFPA, underlining their shared commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and ensuring that no one is left behind.
“The partnership between the Government of Timor-Leste and UNFPA is a testament to our shared commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and ensuring that no one is left behind. Under the current country programme of UNFPA, we have worked together to address key challenges related to population and development, reproductive health, gender equality, and youth empowerment,” he said.
UNFPA’s new country programme (2026-2030) outlines strategic priorities, interventions, and activities that are aligned with Timor-Leste’s Strategic Development Plan (2011-2030), national priorities, and the five-year programme of the 9th Constitutional Government. “It represents a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to promote sustainable development and advance the well-being of all individuals, particularly women, girls, and youth, in our country,” he added.
The new Country Programme of UNFPA will be aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2026-2030), and will contribute to achieving national development goals and priorities articulated in the National Strategic Development Plan (2011-2030), which envisions a Timor-Leste by 2030 where people are healthier, educated, and have the opportunity to participate fully in the nation's development.
