Dili, 24 October 2023, In the context of the UN Day celebration in Timor-Leste, which took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Timor-Leste, President Ramos-Horta spoke about the role of the UN in the global world and in Timor-Leste.
Funmi Balogun, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations, in her speech delivered an important message that “the suffering of one person anywhere is a threat to all of us. We are completely interdependent and this must be our point of departure. Children who are hungry and out of school represent our collective failure, and families who struggle to access food, housing and healthcare also reflect our collective position. Inequalities and discrimination that deprive people of opportunities represent a threat to us all”.
In his speech, the President responded to a question from UN Coordinator Funmi, who asked what the world would be like without the UN. He said that while we recognize the UN’s position in the global world and its contributions to the process of self-determination, we cannot imagine a world without UN specialized agencies in place such as in Yemen, in Gaza, in Ukraina, in Afganistan and others conflict-affected countries, which work with other international organizations.
In 2002, as an independent nation, Timor-Leste joined the UN and received a UN mission (UN Mission of Support in East Timor, UNMISET). The United Nations has played an essential role in supporting the democratic process and sustainable development in Timor-Leste. The United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) was in place from 1999 to 2002 to administer the territory, exercise legislative and executive authority during the transition, and support capacity building for self-government.
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