Timor-Leste highlights development needs of fragile states at speakers conference

Vicente da Silva Guterres, speaker of the national parliament of Timor-Leste, on Monday highlighted the unique development needs of fragile states at the Fourth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament held here in New York.

Guterres acknowledged the role of the international community in helping Timor-Leste become the newest country of the 20th century.

"From the first moment, Timor-Leste had the direct and material support of the United Nations which was present in our territory from September 1999 to December 2012," he said. "We are very grateful for the support given by the United Nations and all donor countries."

Guterres said Timor-Leste now hopes to use the lessons it has learned since gaining independence to help other fragile countries -- countries that are effected by conflict or other forms of instability.

"During these years of partnership we learnt valuable lessons that we have been sharing with the world -- particularly the fragile states -- encouraging them to take leadership of their processes and to commit to the future of their citizens," he said.

However, Guterres warned that like other fragile states his home country is vulnerable to interference by unscrupulous international actors.

"It is not acceptable that we continue to have in 2015 situations of fragility that perpetuate the vulnerability of states to the greedy interference of international actors whose agendas are somewhat obscure," said Guterres.

This was why, he said, together with other so-called fragile states under the umbrella of the Group of Seven (G7+), Timor-Leste is working on a new development strategy called the New Deal for Engagement in Fragile States -- "The New Deal".

"(The New Deal) seeks to ensure that international assistance is better coordinated and led by beneficiary countries," he said. Endit