"Timor-Leste looks forward to working alongside each and every one of our regional neighbors to making the goals and priorities outlined in our comprehensive and forward looking document a reality. Once this is achieved, and only once this is achieved, will Timor-Leste be able to say that it has not only liberated the country but its people are now liberated as well."

In the 6th Asian and Pacific Population Conference, the delegation from Timor-Leste says the country is committed to ensure that many of the problems it is currently facing - especially with regards to women and girls and youth - can be resolved with effective laws and policies.

The Sixth Asian and Pacific Population Conference (APPC) is convened by UN ESCAP in cooperation with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), from 16 to 20 September 2013 in Bangkok, with a view to serve as an intergovernmental platform for the Asia-Pacific preparations for the special session of the General Assembly on the International Conference on Population and Development beyond 2014. will set the regional population and development agenda for the region over the next decade.

Dr. Babatunde Osotumehin, UNFPA Executive Director, said in his opening remarks that "It is clear that this region will continue to be at the forefront of the population challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. Asia - already the most populous region in the world - is projected to add a billion people over the next 40 years. Therefore, the course you set for responding to population dynamics and the challenges and opportunities of our modern populations will have a global impact.

Ministers, senior policy makers, parliamentarians, civil society, and United Nations members attend the five-day conference to discuss population issues. They cover a broad agenda including successes, challenges and future priorities on areas such as sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender equality, youth, ageing, migration, and urbanization.

Related Resources:

Opening Remarks by Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin [PDF]

Country Statement by Timor-Leste, Ministerial Segment (19.09.2013) [PDF]

The Sixth Asia Pacific Population Conference at A Glance (3 min) [Video]