António Guterres Says UN Will Continue to Support Timorese People

Image : President José Ramos-Horta, and Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres,at the Nicolau Lobato Presidential Palace in Dili, 08/28/2024.

SAPNewsTL, Dili – President José Ramos-Horta, together with Prime Minister Kayrala Xanana Gusmão, received the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, who will participate in the commemoration of the 25th Anniversary of the Popular Consultation in Timor-Leste.

After meeting with President José Ramos-Horta, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said that Timor-Leste’s democracy is consolidated and development is people-centred.

“Timor-Leste’s consolidated democracy, human rights and fundamental rights, 25 years of popular consultation, Timor-Leste is committed to taking consistent measures to meet the needs and aspirations of the people, Timor faces impressive progress, a development that is especially people-centred in education for its people in remote areas.” UN Secretary-General António Guterres said at the Nicolau Lobato Presidential Palace in Dili, 08/28/2024.

The UN Secretary-General affirms that the UN will continue to support the aspirations of the Timorese people.

“The world learns a lot from Timor’s experience, the United Nations and the Timorese people always stand side by side when it comes to taking charge of their own destiny, the United Nations continues to support the aspirations of the Timorese people, and wishes Timor the greatest success,” stressed the UN Secretary-General.

António Guterres said that Timor-Leste needs to make investments that achieve universal access to combat food insecurity, youth unemployment, the climate crisis and defend gender equality.

President José Ramos-Horta considers António Guterres a wise, generous and compassionate man.

“Today we welcome the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, a man with brains but also with heart, some with very good brains but without heart, the world needs a wise and compassionate man”.He Said

“The person who is sees the issue of Timor-Leste is António Guterres, a brilliant, intelligent and generous person, the world needs leaders with compassion, thank you very much to the UN Secretary-General. José Ramos Horta said

Image : President José Ramos-Horta, and Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres.

The head of state of Timor-Leste said in 1999 that António Guterres convinced Bill Clinton, thus convincing the United States to support forces for Timor-Leste.

“During the crucial situation in 1999, when António Guterres, as Prime Minister of Portugal, with his compassionate leadership, convinced Bill Clinton that the United States wanted to support, two nights ago, the President of the Republic of Indonesia, BJ Habibie, said on television that he would accept UN forces for Timor-Leste.”

On this occasion, the President of the Republic awarded António Gueterres the Grand Collar of the Order of Timor-Leste, a recognition of the central role of Secretary-General Guterres during his term as Prime Minister of Portugal ‘as the nation’s highest honour.

During the meeting, the President of the Republic and the UN Secretary-General discussed several global issues, including peace and security, with a focus on the ongoing wars in Myanmar, Gaza, Ukraine, as well as the security crisis and ongoing humanitarian efforts in Sudan.

José Ramos Horta and António Guterres agreed that a reformed Security Council, with greater international representation and more effective decision-making, will be essential in responding to the challenges of global peace and security.

The Head of State stated: “The visit of Secretary-General Guterres reaffirms the support that the United Nations has given to Timor-Leste throughout our journey towards independence. As we face global challenges, our partnership with the UN continues to be crucial to achieving peace, development and justice not only for our country, but for the world.”

The President of the Republic stressed the country’s commitment to further strengthen its cooperation with the United Nations to address regional and global challenges, particularly through a collaborative approach to security and sustainable development.

In the meantime, the presence of the UN Secretary-General will be from 28 to 31 August 2024, on the day of the meeting with the President of the Republic, Prime Minister, and to participate in the commemoration of the 25th Anniversary of the Popular Consultation.

Journalist: Antonina Lopes da Silva