UN Photo/Kiara Worth UN Secretary-General António Guterres (left) meets with Jose Ramos-Horta, President of Timor-Leste in Dili.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres received a warm welcome in the capital of Timor-Leste on Wednesday where he hailed the 25th anniversary of its vote for independence, praising the national unity of the past, and pledging the UN’s unwavering support in the future.

The UN chief was met at the airport by Timorese President José Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão with a musical celebration and full military honors.

Public welcome

Thousands lined the streets of the capital Dili as children greeted Mr. Guterres holding UN and Timor-Leste flags.

At the presidential palace, he said his visit was a demonstration of solidarity.

“The United Nations and the Timorese people stood side by side at a time when the country took the building of its destiny into its own hands. The United Nations will continue to support the aspirations of the Timorese people in the journey ahead”.

At a press conference, Mr. Guterres said Asian nation will make its voice heard at the Summit of the Future, which will be held at the UN headquarters in September, “as the world has a lot to learn from Timor-Leste”, he said.

The development battle remains

Referring to the popular consultation organized by the UN that culminated in the country's independence, he said that today’s historic milestone was a “call for unity and celebration of the collective past”.

Mr. Guterres described Timor-Leste as an example of how to develop as a nation at peace, having been born out of armed struggle in 2002, that can also now live in harmony with its neighbours.

He praised the country for being a “consolidated democracy” dedicated to respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Historic anchor of support

The UN played a crucial role before and after independence, deploying a transitional administration in what was then referred to as East Timor in 1992, to build the country up for self-government, which eventually came ten years later following agreement between former rulers Indonesia and Portugal, for the East Timorese to hold a referendum.

As an independent nation, Timor-Leste joined the UN and a new mission was created to support its development, including a new framework put in place for four years from 2015.

UN Peacekeeping operations also played a major role in the early days of the new nation.  The UN Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) exercised administrative authority over East Timor during the transition to independence.

That was followed by two other peacekeeping operations, which provided assistance to Timor-Leste until December 2012 when all operational responsibilities were fully devolved.

The UN has more than 20 resident and non-resident agencies assisting the country, allowing the Organization to play a policy development and advocacy role at all levels.

UN Photo/Kiara Worth Secretary-General arrives in Timor-Leste to attend the celebrations of the 25th Anniversary of the Referendum.

Battle for development

“Timor-Leste won the battle of independence, Timor-Leste won the battle of democracy, Timor-Leste is an exemplary country in terms of human rights, but it also has to win the battle of development”, he said.

He added that the UN would continue partnering with Timor Leste to help them win the battle for food security, education, a health service fit for all, and improved infrastructure.

Dialogue on Myanmar

He praised President Ramos-Horta for having persisted in the past, even under the most difficult circumstances, “with the faith that in the end the independence of Timor-Leste would be a reality”.

Mr. Guterres noted that the thousands of young people he had seen on the streets of the capital had not experienced the “heroic struggle of resistance” for themselves, that allowed the referendum which paved the way to independence to take place.

Never forget

He said it is crucial that they and future generations do not forget this fight.

The two leaders pledged to establish a dialogue and collaboration in relation to the crisis in Myanmar which was sparked by the military coup of 2021 and resulting brutal crackdown, and to address other peace and security issues of mutual concern.

The Secretary-General also expressed “enormous gratitude for the warm welcome and wonderful hospitality” with which he was received in Timor-Leste.