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June 7, 2024 (Witness)—— The Government of Timor-Leste, led by Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao, will host a series of events from 8 to 18 June to mark World Oceans Day 2024.
This year’s World Oceans Day focuses on the development of the blue economy in Timor-Leste. Under the national government-led campaign slogan “My Ocean, My Timor”, this year’s celebrations will kick off on Saturday, 8 June, in the coastal areas of the Timor-Leste capital, Dili, starting with a beach clean-up.
Several other events are planned for the day, including the launch of the “Peixe Azul” (Blue Fish) by the President of the Republic, José Ramos-Horta, in front of the Government Palace, to highlight the dangers of plastic bottles polluting the oceans and the need to address this serious environmental problem. This will be followed by the launch of the children’s book “My Ocean, My Timor” by Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao at the Xanana Reading Room in Dili.
From June 10 to 12, focal points from relevant ministries will hold a three-day professional leadership training on the blue economy at the Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão Auditorium of the Ministry of Finance. The training aims to strengthen the economic, social and environmental protection of Timor-Leste’s marine resources.
Three one-day training sessions will also be held from 13 to 18 June with other key stakeholders, including civil society organisations, the private sector, NGOs, the media, future Blue Economy Youth Ambassadors and chairmen of municipalities.
The training was organized by the Land and Maritime Borders Office (LMBO) and was presented by Álvaro Sardinha, a Blue Economy trainer and expert consultant from Portugal. Álvaro will also give a special presentation on the potential and opportunities of the Blue Economy in Timor-Leste to the Council of Ministers on Wednesday, June 12.
On June 14, the Blue Economy Marine Tourism Expo, hosted by the Ministry of Tourism and Environment, will be held at Timor-Leste Plaza Centre and will feature stalls from marine tourism industry stakeholders and local entrepreneurs. The one-day event will help stimulate interest in Timor-Leste’s marine tourism products and potential.
On June 15-16, Alvaro and a team from the LMBO Blue Economy Unit will travel to Atauro Island to engage with local government and leaders, association leaders, focal points from the tourism industry, and support sectors, including youth, to promote the Blue Economy concept. Alvaro will also visit community cooperatives in Beloi and Vila Maumeta, and conduct a field trip along Atauro’s coral reefs to experience first-hand the island’s marine biodiversity.
World Oceans Day is celebrated around the world on 8 June every year to remind us of the importance of the oceans, on which we all depend for food, medicine and the biosphere. The main objectives of World Oceans Day are to raise awareness of the negative impacts of human actions and activities on the oceans, to develop a global movement for ocean stewardship, and to mobilize and unite the world’s population for sustainable management of the world’s oceans.
In Timor-Leste, the Ninth Constitutional Government, led by Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão, has made it a priority to develop Timor-Leste’s blue economy, that is, to exploit other resources of the Timor Sea in addition to its oil and gas resources, in order to promote development and improve the livelihoods of the Timorese people.
Reporter: Camillo De Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
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