11/08/2011 - Japan contributes US$ 1.6 million to support 2012 general elections in Timor-Leste

Today took place at STAE HQ a Signing Ceremony of an Agreement between Japan and UNDP, which marked the contribution of $ 1,6 million from the Government of Japan to support Timor-Leste's presidential and parliamentary elections in 2012.

This ceremony was honored with the presence of HE Mr. Jose Luis Guterres Deputy Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, by HE Ms. Makiko Kikuta Parliamentary Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, by HE Ms. Ameerah Hap Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG), by HE Mr. Iwao Kitahara, Ambassador of Japan to Timor-Leste and by Ms. Mikiko Tanaka, Country Director of UNDP Timor-Leste.

The Country Director of UNDP in Timor-Leste, Ms. Mikiko Tanaka, mentioned in her speech that as a result of a "broad consensus among national and international stakeholders the 2012 elections will represent a crucial millstone for the development of political institutions and the consolidation of democracy in Timor-Leste, a nation that regain its independence through the ballot box. These elections are also another stepping stone in securing its hard-won peace, ahead of UNMIT's drawdown at the end of 2012.

Ms. Mikiko Tanaka also mentioned that it was "through UNDP's engagement over the past decade with the Timorese's electoral management bodies - STAE and CNE - that we have seen remarkable progress in their capacities to organize and manage elections. Admirably, Timor-Leste always pushes itself to raise the bar for its own development. The recent revision in electoral laws introduces more precision and participation. Votes will be counted directly in all 600+ voting stations. Political parties will be required to include one woman in three candidates in their party lists instead of the previous one in four. This will certainly improve gender parity form the current level of 30% female parliamentarians, already high from Asian standards. Implementing these new changes in the electoral laws will require more citizen and political party education, women's leadership training and logistical preparations.

Japan's contribution will strengthen Timor-Leste's ability to organize and conduct successful elections and democratic electoral process, according to the international standards. Japan provided over $700,000 for the 2007 election. Today's $1,6 million grant for the 2012 elections would not have been possible without the personal commitment and efforts of the Ambassador and his staff and the ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan represented today by the Parliamentary Vice Minister, and we are extremely thankful to them. Japan's contribution will cover technical assistance, IT, communications and transport equipment to STAE to meet the new legal requirements, which I am confident STAE will succeed in undertaking, under the able leadership of Director General Tomas Cabral."