14 July 2010

UNDP is pleased to announce the signing of a new Cost-Sharing Agreement in the amount of 12 million Norwegian Kroner (approx. US$ 1.85 million) with the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs under its project for Strengthening Parliamentary Democracy in Timor-Leste. The Cost Sharing Agreement covers a four-year period from 2010-2013 and will allow UNDP to strengthen the technical assistance it has been providing to the Timor-Leste National Parliament since 2003. Norway, together with Sweden and Australia, has been an important contributor to the Parliament Project throughout its development and UNDP welcomes the continued partnership.

With a delivery target of US$ 10.7 million over four years (2010-2013), the Parliament Support project provides assistance in five key areas for institutional development: (1) the legislative process; (2) oversight; (3) parliamentary administration; (4) democratic representation, transparency and accessibility; (5) gender mainstreaming. An important component of the current project is a comprehensive strategy for national capacity development that includes a training program for the first generation of Timorese legal drafters and the training of several professionals with sector-specific expertise in infrastructure, the primary sector and the social sector.

H.E. Fernando La Sama de Araújo, the President of Parliament, expressed his appreciation for the support provided by the Government of Norway. “Norway’s contribution is a clear reflection of the friendship of the Norwegian people and of the commitment of the Norwegian Government to the development of our new Parliament and of parliamentary democracy in Timor-Leste,” said Mr La Sama.

Mikiko Tanaka, UNDP Country Director, also called the signing of the Cost Sharing Agreement an important signal of donors’ commitment to the consolidation of institutional development and democratic governance in Timor-Leste. “Parliament has a crucial role to play in the consolidation of a democratic state based on the Constitution and committed to the rule of law. In only eight years, the National Parliament has made impressive strides in asserting its constitutional function and establishing itself as a true organ of democratic representation. UNDP has felt privileged to be a partner in its development and we are delighted by Norway’s continued support and engagement,” Ms Tanaka said.

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