The United Nations Development Programme Timor-Leste today met with the leaders from the Special Administrative Region of Oe-Cusse Ambeno (RAEOA) to plan and approve the expansion of development projects in the region.  In addition to support for RAOEA’s Covid-19 response, the renewed focus of development support includes water management, business development, agricultural productivity and tourism. The meeting approved a total project budget of over US $774 thousand for 2022.  ​​

Water continues to be a critical issue in Oe-cusse and has been added to project plans upon RAOEA’s request. Water will be mainstreamed within all areas of support by expanding local and international partnerships and enhancing institutional capacities.

In 2022 the community Based Tourism will continue promoting the region by organizing promotional events and continue training local young Tour guides . The project will install rainwater harvesting facilities in schools, health posts sites, benefitting approximately 10,000 people and expand the Community water catchment techniques to enhance agricultural communities’ resilience to increasingly unpredictable dry seasons.

UNDP Resident Representative Munkhtuya Altangerel welcomed the extra focus on water within the project. “Climate change and its impact on water is a critical issue in Oe-cusse and we support the vision of RAEOA’s leaders to prioritize water management,” said Ms. Altangerel.

The Oe-cusse Business Incubator (OBI) will organize the competition to grant  entrepreneurships among women, youth, and people with disabilities. Specific support will be given to business ideas related to ‘green recovery’, climate resilience, eco-tourism and agroforestry.

“Due to COVID 19 pandemic, the situation was challenging for Oecusse’s economy and its people in 2020, and in consequence for project implementation. However, we see the great benefits that this partnership brings to the region” said Mr. Bano.

Emphasizing that successful implementation of the project will involve significant cooperation with relevant partner institutions Ms. Altangerel added “Our teams will explore partnerships with different institutions locally and abroad, to bring innovative ideas to the project and enable sustainable support.”