Locations"High-Level Delegation Highlights Renewable Energy and Digital Education Milestones in Manatuto"
Timor-Leste Showcases Clean Energy and Digital Education Progress in High-Level Field Mission
August 11, 2025
Special guests, including H.E. Mr. Kimura Tetsuya, Ambassador of Japan to Timor-Leste, H.E. Samuel Marçal, Minister of Public Works; Ms. Katyna Argueta, UNDP Resident Representative; and Mr. Deolindo da Cruz, General Director of Secondary School, together with other participants of the High-Level Joint Monitoring Mission, pose in front of the ICT laboratory at Kay-Rala Secondary School, with the newly installed rooftop solar panels visible in the background.
Julio Guterres/ UNDP Timor-Leste
Manatuto, Timor-Leste – 31 July 2025 - The Government of Timor-Leste, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and with support from the Government of Japan, conducted a one-day High-Level Joint Monitoring Mission in Manatuto Municipality to highlight progress in clean energy access and digital education for rural communities. The mission, organized under the Pacific Green Transformation (PGT) Project, brought together more than 30 participants, including ministers, municipal leaders, development partners, community representatives, and beneficiaries, to observe project results and engage directly with local communities.
The delegation visited Kay-Rala Secondary School and Nakaleo Sub-Village, two sites where renewable energy investments are transforming daily life. At Kay-Rala Secondary School, a solar-powered ICT laboratory is enabling students and teachers to integrate digital tools into the learning process, expanding opportunities for rural youth. In Nakaleo Sub-Village, the installation of household solar panel systems and clean cookstoves is providing reliable, renewable energy for daily needs, improving health, reducing fuel expenses, and cutting carbon emissions. These initiatives are accelerating Timor-Leste’s transition toward net-zero, climate-resilient development while improving access to essential services.
UNDP Resident Representative Ms. Katyna Argueta observes the newly installed equipment inside the ICT laboratory at Kay-Rala Secondary School, featuring 30 computers, air conditioning units, projectors, and an internet connection to support digital learning and enhance the school’s teaching environment.
Julio Guterres/ UNDP Timor-Leste
UNDP Resident Representative Ms. Katyna Argueta reflected on the significance of the initiative, stating, “Sometimes we hear about developments happening at the international level, and we wonder how they will actually reach us and make a difference in our lives. Today, we are here because UNDP and the Government of Japan decided to support four countries globally, including Timor-Leste. When we began implementing in Timor-Leste, it became the result of the combined efforts of four ministries working together - and that is exactly the collaboration we are witnessing today.
This is an effort that I believe all of society, especially the youth of Timor-Leste, can be proud of. We are here to empower the younger generation, giving them the tools to be productive and competitive in the 21st century. This should fill all our hearts with hope. I must say, we should all feel a little proud of this achievement. I would like to congratulate the Director of the school for what has been accomplished and the results achieved so far.”
H.E. Mr. Kimura Tetsuya, Ambassador of Japan to Timor-Leste, delivers his speech at Kay-Rala Secondary School, introducing a local teacher who received a Government of Japan-funded scholarship to study in Japan and has since returned to Manatuto to teach and share his knowledge with the community.
Julio Guterres/ UNDP Timor-Leste
H.E. Mr. Kimura Tetsuya, Ambassador of Japan to Timor-Leste, expressed his appreciation during the visit, “I am very pleased to visit Kay Rala Secondary School today. Thank you very much to all of you for joining us during this visit.
The Government of Japan has been working hand in hand with the people and Government of Timor-Leste for more than twenty-five (25) years to promote sustainable development. In Manatuto Municipality, we have worked together to build community infrastructure, school buildings in rural areas, and other facilities.
The project we visited today provides reliable and sustainable energy, enabling uninterrupted education and creating greater opportunities for ICT - Information and Communication Technology - learning. Ultimately, it equips students with ICT skills for a brighter future.”
H.E. Samuel Marçal, Minister of Public Works, delivers his speech during the High-Level Joint Monitoring Mission at Kay-Rala Secondary School, encouraging the youth of Manatuto to seize the opportunities provided through improved access to clean energy and digital education to transform their future.
Julio Guterres/ UNDP Timor-Leste
H.E. Samuel Marçal, Minister of Public Works, expressed his appreciation and shared a personal message with the youth of Manatuto, “On behalf of the Government, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Government of Japan and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), who have always supported us in important areas. Japan has consistently assisted us in all sectors related to basic needs, and for this reason, we must make the most of this support.
I call on the youth of Manatuto to take advantage of these opportunities. In my school days, there were no computers, and we had no electricity - sometimes we had to burn wood just to have light for studying. That is why I urge all of you, the children of this nation, to keep in mind that if you want to change your life, education is the key, because it is through education that we can transform our future.
The support provided to the people of Timor-Leste is given wholeheartedly. For the youth of Manatuto, especially the students of Kay Rala School, I encourage you to have the determination to learn. Without the will to learn, this will become a serious problem for the future of our nation.”
Mr. Deolindo da Cruz, General Director of Secondary School, delivers his remarks on behalf of the Ministry of Education at Kay-Rala Secondary School, expressing gratitude to the Government of Japan, UNDP, and partners for supporting the installation of ICT facilities that enhance the quality of teaching and learning.
Julio Guterres/ UNDP Timor-Leste
Mr. Deolindo da Cruz, General Director of the Secondary School, representing the Minister of Education, also conveyed the Ministry’s gratitude, “On behalf of the Ministry of Education, I would like to express our deep appreciation to the Government of Japan, UNDP, and all partners who have supported the Ministry of Education, particularly in the area of ICT facilities. The Ministry of Education has made ICT a priority as a means to improve the quality of education for both our teachers and students.”
Beyond the official remarks, the mission also provided an opportunity to showcase the perspectives of those benefiting from these improvements. Teachers and students from Kay-Rala Secondary School expressed how the new solar-powered ICT laboratory is transforming their daily learning and teaching experience.
Mr. Januário Pereira de Oliveira, ICT teacher at Kay-Rala Secondary School, tests one of the newly installed computers in the solar-powered ICT laboratory, ensuring the equipment, internet connection, and digital tools are ready to support students’ practical learning.
Julio Guterres/ UNDP Timor-Leste
Mr. Januário Pereira de Oliveira, ICT Teacher at ESG Kay Rala, reflected on how the new facility has transformed teaching and learning, “In our previous laboratory, which was provided by the Government and equipped with computers and air conditioning, the electricity connection had been damaged for over a year and there was no maintenance, leaving much of the equipment broken. The facility was not only used by students of Kay Rala School, but in the past, the Ministry of Education, together with UNDP, had also used it to provide ICT training for teachers from municipalities in the eastern region.
With this new laboratory, I feel proud, especially because it is now powered by solar panels, which means that when the main electricity supply is down, we can still use solar energy. It is also equipped with internet access, allowing students to practice online activities, particularly in subjects related to the use of the internet for research through browsers, as well as communication tools such as email and other platforms.”
Inês Márcia Freitas, an 11th Grade Science and Technology student at Kay-Rala Secondary School, sits at her desk using one of the new computers in the solar-powered ICT laboratory, gaining hands-on experience with digital tools for the first time.
Julio Guterres/ UNDP Timor-Leste
Inês Márcia Freitas, an 11th Grade Science and Technology (CT) student from Class B, shared her perspective as a beneficiary, “Until now, our classes have been mostly theoretical because our electricity supply was not functioning. We asked our ICT teacher why we could not have practical lessons, and the answer was that there was not enough electricity capacity to operate the equipment.
Now, as a student, I feel proud and want to express my gratitude to UNDP for the support provided to us. We can now use the equipment and gain much more hands-on experience. We will take good care of these resources so that our younger classmates can also use them in the future.”
The mission also amplified stories from rural communities, particularly women and youth, on how clean energy is enabling better livelihoods, improved education access, and greater resilience to climate change. Officials from the Ministry of State Administration, Ministry of Public Works, Ministry of Education, MPIE, DGREAS, EDTL, municipal authorities, and suco-level leaders joined the visit, underscoring the importance of multi-sector collaboration in scaling up sustainable infrastructure and inclusive service delivery across Timor-Leste.
A rooftop view of the newly installed hybrid solar system at Kay-Rala Secondary School, with a total capacity of 27 kWp and a battery storage system. This setup powers the ICT laboratory, air conditioning units, projectors, and other school facilities, while also serving as an alternative backup to ensure continuous electricity supply when the main grid is unavailable.
Julio Guterres/ UNDP Timor-Leste
The Pacific Green Transformation Project works to enhance clean energy access and improve public service delivery in rural and remote areas of the Pacific. In Timor-Leste, the project focuses on integrating renewable energy technologies into schools, households, and community facilities to promote sustainable development, climate resilience, and inclusive growth.
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