August 12, 2026
Dili, 10 August 2026 — Conservation International Timor-Leste (CI-TL) held a meeting with Vice Prime Minister for Social Affairs and Minister for Rural Development and Housing Eng. Mariano Assanami Sabino, to explore potential cooperation on nature conservation, rural economic development, and food security in Timor-Leste.
During the meeting, held at the Office of the Vice Prime Minister, CI-TL Country Director Manuel Mendes introduced and shared information about CI-TL’s programs and priorities in Timor-Leste, including activities in the Northern, Southern, and Western regions.
Vice Prime Minister for Social Affairs, Eng. Mariano Assanami Sabino, shared the role of the Office of the Vice Prime Minister II in addressing poverty and hunger, emphasizing that cooperation with development agencies to strengthen the rural economy is highly important for Timor-Leste.
In the area of conservation, the Vice Prime Minister recommended that activities such as the establishment of community-based Marine Protected Areas, mangrove and coastal restoration, transboundary watershed management, wetland management, human–wildlife coexistence and strengthening protected areas should generate economic and social benefits for rural communities.
The Vice Prime Minister also emphasized that cooperation should focus on water conservation and the restoration of forests and land to contribute to food security and improve community livelihoods. He noted that as irrigation systems are developed, it is important to conserve, protect, and restore water catchment areas to ensure sustainable food production.
He reaffirmed that the IX Constitutional Government has chosen to promote the blue economy. Therefore, activities promoted by CI-TL, including mangrove restoration and the establishment of protected areas, can support the protection of marine biodiversity, fish, and other marine organisms, while also contributing to improved nutrition and community well-being.
During the meeting, CI-TL Country Director Manuel Mendes, also shared CI-TL’s conservation programs in Timor-Leste. CI-TL began its work in Timor-Leste in 2009, following an invitation from President José Ramos-Horta to Conservation International to establish its operations in the country.
In 2012, CI-TL conducted a rapid assessment in Nino Konis Santana National Park, which was later expanded to Atauro. These assessments highlighted the importance of Timor-Leste’s marine biodiversity in the region. Following this work, CI-TL established Seven Community-Based Marine Protected Areas in the eastern part of the country, from Lore and Tutuala to Com. Subsequently, CI-TL established 12 community-based Marine Protected Areas in Atauro and another four in the northwest area, from Vatuvou to Batugade.
CI-TL has also continued activities to restore marine and coastal ecosystems, promote collaborative management with Indonesia of the Talau-Loes and Mota-Masin transboundary watersheds, and initiate wetland and wildlife management in the southern part of Timor Island.
To date, CI-TL has supported the establishment of nearly 30 Community Conservation Groups (CCGs) across Timor-Leste. These efforts have contributed to social, economic, and ecological benefits for local communities.
During the meeting, the Vice Prime Minister encouraged the technical teams from both sides to continue preparations and discussions to identify potential areas for cooperation, including resource mobilization and support for community groups such as CCGs, with the aim of strengthening sustainable rural economic development.
The meeting was also attended by Program Manager Animesh Kar, GEF-7 Regional Manager, Demetrio do Amaral de Carvalho, and Representing the Office of the Vice Prime Minister II was Cristopher Samson and VPM II Secretariat.
Conserve Nature • Strengthen Communities • Develop a Sustainable Rural Economy