East Timor seeks UNESCO recognition for Nino Conis Santana National Park « Government of Tim-Leste

The government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Forestry, in collaboration with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Jakarta, organized a workshop on the application to name Nino Conis National Park Santana as a “Biosphere Reserve” within the scope of UNESCO’s “Man and the Biosphere” programme. The event, held on August 7, 2024 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation in Dili, is part of the conservation and sustainable development efforts of Nino Conis Santana National Park.

The workshop also aims to form a committee to ensure that all the requirements for applying to UNESCO are met by the established deadline (September 30).

The Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Forests, Marcos da Cruz, stressed the importance of obtaining this status for the Ninoy Corniche Santana National Park, considering it a “biodiversity center” that “will contribute to its ecological and cultural values” and “increase the government’s efforts in the conservation and sustainable development of the park.”

In his speech, Secretary of State for Forests Fernando Vieira da Costa stressed the commitment of the Ninth Constitutional Government to promoting sustainability and biodiversity conservation.

“In line with the policies of the Ninth Constitutional Government and the plan approved by the National Assembly, our forest management is aimed at establishing a national system of protected areas and parks and biodiversity conservation,” he declared.

The Secretary of State also expressed his gratitude to UNESCO Jakarta’s Professor Ryuichi Fukuhara. Purwanto, from Indonesia, “for his valuable contribution and sharing of experience”.

The international recognition of Nino Conis Santana National Park “not only highlights the ecological and cultural value of the park, but also strengthens conservation and sustainable development mechanisms in Timor-Leste”. “Designation as a biosphere reserve will greatly contribute to promoting ecotourism and the involvement of local communities in the conservation of biodiversity.”

The ceremony was attended by guests including the UN Resident Coordinator in Timor-Leste, Funmi Balogun, and the UNESCO Representative in Jakarta, Ryuichi Fukuhara.