Dili, October 19, 2023 – The Government of Timor-Leste, in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), has convened a  National Consultation in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation in Dili. This event is a preparation of the country’s participation in the 7th Asian Pacific Population Conference (APPC7) and the subsequent 30th-anniversary review of the International Conference on Population and Development Programme of Action (ICPD+30) in 2024.

The main objectives of the National Consultation was to review the progress of the implementation of the 2018 Asian and Pacific Ministerial Declaration on Population and Development, as well as the ICPD POA in Timor-Leste and to consider Timor-Leste's strategic engagement in the 7th APPC and its contribution to the regional and global dialogue on population and development issues.

Key stakeholders during the National Consultation included government representatives, parliamentarians, civil society organizations, youth leaders, development partners, and the media. 

Some of the findings in the National Consultation included Timor-Leste’s significant progress towards achieving universal health coverage; increasing life expectancy at birth by about 10 years from 2000 to 2016; and increased participation of women in political roles.

The outcomes of APPC7 will serve as a basis for the global review conducted by United Nations Member States during the 57th Commission on Population and Development in April 2024 in New York. These processes offer Timor-Leste an invaluable opportunity to reflect on the successes and lessons learned from the implementation of the ICPD POA over the past three decades.

The 7th Asian Pacific Population Conference (APPC7), organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP) and UNFPA will be held from 15th to 17th November 2023 in Bangkok, Thailand. 

For more information, contact:

Suleiman Okoth

Communications and Programme Support Specialist

United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Timor-Leste

Mobile: +67075169796, Email; okoth@unfpa.org

Antonio Guterres

Communications Officer

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Timor-Leste 

Mobile: +67078623207, Email; amartinsguterres@gmail.com