Embassy of Japan in Timor-Leste
在東ティモール日本国大使館
July 24, 2009
The Government of Japan provides Antiviral Medicine against Pandemic H1N1 Swine Influenza
May 26, 2009
Japanese Grant Aid Assistance :the project for Urgent Improvement of Water Supply System in Bemos-Dili”
May 22, 2009
The Government of Japan Extends Assistance to Health Education Project in Ermera District
From a point of view that Timor-Leste's stability and development is important for the peace and stability in Asia-Pacific region, Japan, in cooperation with international community, has been actively engaging in consolidation of peace and nation-building in Timor-Leste, through not only Overseas Development Assistance, but also Japan Defense Force's participation in PKO activities, and cooperation with NGO activities, etc.
(1) Development in Timor-Leste and Japan's assistance
The Government of Timor-Leste set up National Development Plan in May, 2002, and started its nation-building efforts focusing on two areas, which are, "poverty reduction" and "equitable and sustainable economic development". In 2006, Timor-Leste experienced civil disturbance and international community's assistance to nation-building including Japanese assistance had to be temporarily stopped. However, after establishment of VI constitutional government in August 2007, Timor-Leste has set up 2008 National Priorities and the drafting of mid-term national development plan is now underway. Based on such plans of the Government of Timor-Leste, Japan aims at extending effective assistance in cooperation with JICA and NGO. More concretely, Japan has been extending Grant Assistance and Technical Assistance through JICA, Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects through NGOs, and assistance through International Organizations, focusing on the following main areas: (a) Human resources development and institution building, (b) Maintenance and Improvement of Infrastructure, (c) Agriculture and Rural Development, and (d) Consolidation of Peace.
(2) Japan's assistance to Timor-Leste
Japan pledged the assistance totalling 130 million US dollars at the First Donor’s Meeting on East Timor held in Tokyo in December 1999. Furthermore, in May 2002 when Timor-Leste became independent, Japan pledged the additional assistance of up to 60 million US dollars at the 6th Donor Meeting in Dili, and disbursed it by March 2005. Japanese ODA had to be suspended at the time of civl disturbance from April to June 2006; however, following the improvement of security situation by efforts of the Government of Timor-Leste and Internatioal Community including the United Nations,, Japan resumed its assistance of approx. 20 million US dollars every year.
Based on the understanding that Timor-Leste is categorized as Least Developed Country (LDC), Japan has been extending Project Grant Assistance to various projects such as transportation (road), education and health, from the mid to long term perspectives, in addition to Grant Assistance for Japanese NGO Projects and Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects for local and international NGOs. Furthermore, in order to respond to capacity building needs in many public sectors, Japan has provided technical assistance by sending advisors such as on economics and finance, infrastructure policy, road engineering and water supply systems to the relevant government offices including the President Office. Also Japan responded human resource development needs of present and future government officials by extending assistance to the Faculty of Engineering at Timor-Leste National University, and National Institute of Public Administrations (INAP), while receiving many trainees in agriculture, infrastructure and other administrative areas.
In addition to the ODA, the Japan Engineering Group (JEG) of the Japan Self Defense Force was dispatched to PKO missions (UNTAET and UNMISET) from February 2002 to May 2004. JEG provided logistical support operations such as maintenance and rehabilitation of roads and bridges as well as public welfare assistance to the Timorese people as part of its PKO activities, and greatly contributed to the consolidation of peace and nation-building.
At the time of civil disturbance in 2006, Japan extended humanitarian assistance totaling 5 million US dollars to Internally Displaced People. Japan also provided various assistance such as provision of equipments for election management, totaling 0.72 million US dollars, during the Parliamentary and Presidential elections in 2007. Japan has been actively supporting Timor-Leste in its effort of consolidation of peace and nation-building, responding to the changing domestic situation of Timor-Leste.
(c) Embassy of Japan in Timor-Leste Avenida de Portugal, Pantai Kelapa, Dili, Timor-Leste (P.O. Box 175) Tel: +670-3323131 Fax: +670-3323130