Government institutions strengthen collaboration to advance agroforestry value chains in Timor-Leste

© Nuncio Da Costa/ILO

© Nuncio Da Costa/ILO

DILI, Timor-Leste (ILO News) – Representatives from eight government ministries and state institutions gathered at the UN Compound in Dili on 30 June 2026 for a round-table discussion on strengthening collaboration in agroforestry value chains. The meeting was convened under the Agroforestry Skills for Employment and Resilience in Timor-Leste programme, implemented by the International Labour Organization (ILO) with funding from the European Union (EU).

Jorge Pereira, Director General of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, echoed the call for unity: "Let us come together to share ideas, build connections and work as one. By collaborating, we can develop strong strategic plans and align our efforts across sectors. By strengthening links between our ministries, agencies and the communities we serve, we can ensure that the people who benefit from our work are united behind a shared purpose."

By strengthening links between our ministries, agencies and the communities we serve, we can ensure that the people who benefit from our work are united behind a shared purpose.

Jorge Pereira, Director General of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry

Held in partnership with the Directorate for Industry of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MCI), the meeting brought together senior representatives from the Ministry of Education (Technical and Vocational Education), the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Forestry, the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs (MCAE), the Ministry of Rural Development and Housing, the Secretariat of State for Cooperatives, the Secretariat of State for Vocational Training and Employment, and the Institute for Business Development Support.

Now in its fourth year, the programme has built strong partnerships...the programme has built strong partnerships with government institutions, non-governmental organizations, training providers and educational institutions to strengthen skills development and enterprise support across agroforestry value chains. The round-table marked a significant transition toward government-led coordination of future interventions.

© Nuncio Da Costa/ILO

© Nuncio Da Costa/ILO

"After three years of building relationships and capacity on the ground, this round-table is an opportunity to ensure that the gains we have achieved together are embedded in a framework for institutional coordination," said Richard Hanson, ILO Programme Manager for the Agroforestry Skills for Employment. "Timor-Leste's agroforestry sector has enormous potential and unlocking it requires all key actors to pull in the same direction."

Participants reaffirmed their commitment to regular coordination among ministries, development partners and training institutions. They also jointly developed an action plan identifying additional priority agroforestry commodities for development, outlining cross-sector collaboration to strengthen agroforestry value chains, and assigning clear roles and responsibilities to each participating ministry.

Participants also agreed that stronger links between institutions and communities are essential to developing sustainable agroforestry value chains in Timor-Leste. Government representatives recognized the opportunity to combine their expertise and resources to maximize the impact of the European Union's long-term support to the sector.

Timor-Leste's agroforestry sector has enormous potential and unlocking it requires all key actors to pull in the same direction.

Richard Hanson, ILO Programme Manager for the Agroforestry Skills for Employment