Locations“Government and UNDP join forces to institutionalize loss and damage systems and embed risk-informed planning into Timor-Leste’s national development agenda.”
Timor-Leste Advances Disaster and Climate Resilience Through Strategic UNDP Partnership
August 17, 2025
“Participants gather for a group photo session before the official start of the high-level technical workshop on institutionalizing loss and damage systems and advancing risk-informed policy-making in Timor-Leste.”
Julio Guterres/ UNDP Timor-Leste
Dili, 14 August 2025 - In a decisive move to strengthen national resilience against the escalating impacts of climate change and natural hazards, the Government of Timor-Leste, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), convened a high-level technical workshop titled “Institutionalization of Losses and Damages, and Risk-Informed Policy-Making Steps and Procedures.”
The event gathered key representatives from the Civil Protection Authority (CPA), the Ministry of Public Works and Strategic Infrastructure (MPSI), technical agencies, line ministries, and development partners. Together, participants explored strategies to integrate modern systems for loss and damage assessment and embed risk-informed approaches into national development planning.
“Workshop participants attentively follow the presentation session, where experts share insights on strengthening loss and damage assessment systems and integrating risk-informed approaches into national development planning.”
Julio Guterres/ UNDP Timor-Leste
The workshop was informed by a multi-day mission led by Mr. Rajesh Sharma, Programme and Policy Specialist for Disaster Risk Reduction at UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific. His consultations with national institutions focused on identifying policy gaps, strengthening coordination mechanisms, and developing systems for evidence-based decision-making. Presenting preliminary recommendations, Mr. Sharma emphasized the need to strengthen national loss and damage assessment mechanisms, enhance analytical tools such as the Multi-Hazard Vulnerability Risk Assessment (MHVRA) and the Timor Emergency & Response System (TERS), and mainstream climate and disaster risks into national policies, legal frameworks, and infrastructure investment strategies.
“Mr. Rajesh Sharma, Programme and Policy Specialist for Disaster Risk Reduction at UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific, delivers his intervention, presenting key recommendations on institutionalizing loss and damage assessments and advancing risk-informed development in Timor-Leste.”
Julio Guterres/ UNDP Timor-Leste
Both the CPA and MPSI shared experiences in utilizing UNDP-supported tools, with CPA emphasizing the integration of MHVRA data into emergency response protocols and MPSI underscoring the use of risk data in planning climate-resilient infrastructure.
Timor-Leste faces one of the highest levels of climate vulnerability among small island developing states. National assessments indicate that 70% of the rural population - approximately 840,000 people - remain highly exposed to hazards such as floods, landslides, droughts, and cyclones. Climate models suggest that the frequency and severity of these hazards will at least double by mid-century, potentially imposing hundreds of millions of dollars in annual economic losses. Municipalities such as Baucau, Ermera, Aileu, Viqueque, and Lautem, along with Liquiçá, are identified as the most climate-vulnerable, together accounting for more than 60% of projected national losses from climate-induced disasters.
“A representative from the Government of Timor-Leste delivers remarks during the workshop, highlighting national priorities for integrating disaster risk reduction and climate resilience into development planning.”
Julio Guterres/ UNDP Timor-Leste
The workshop builds on momentum from the Green Climate Fund (GCF)–UNDP project “Safeguarding Rural Communities and Their Physical Assets from Climate-Induced Disasters in Timor-Leste,” a $59 million initiative launched in 2020. The project aims to climate-proof small-scale rural infrastructure, rehabilitate degraded catchments, and strengthen institutional and community resilience. By 2026, the initiative targets to benefit 175,840 people - about 15% of the national population—rehabilitate over 300 hectares of land, and implement climate-proofing measures across 130 infrastructure units, including roads, bridges, irrigation schemes, and water supply systems. The project also introduces cutting-edge approaches such as drones for real-time damage assessment, mobile applications for loss and damage data collection, and bioengineering techniques for slope stabilization and flood defenses.
“Ms. Felisberta da Silva, Head of Unit at the Adaptation and Resilience Resources (ARR), delivers her opening remarks, emphasizing the importance of institutionalizing systematic and inclusive processes for disaster and climate resilience in Timor-Leste.”
Julio Guterres/ UNDP Timor-Leste
In her opening remarks, Ms. Felisberta da Silva, Head of Unit at the Adaptation and Resilience Resources (ARR), stressed: “Understanding the true cost of disasters in lives, livelihoods, and lost development is essential to building back better. This process must be institutionalized, systematic, and inclusive.” A UNDP representative reaffirmed the organization’s long-term support, stating: “UNDP stands with Timor-Leste in transforming vulnerability into resilience. By strengthening data systems and embedding risk-informed principles into policy, we are helping safeguard development gains for current and future generations.”
“Several participants from different government institutions, technical agencies, and development partners engage in a dynamic discussion session, exchanging perspectives on strengthening loss and damage systems and advancing risk-informed planning in Timor-Leste.”
Julio Guterres/ UNDP Timor-Leste
Looking Ahead
The outcomes of the workshop will shape a comprehensive roadmap for institutionalizing loss and damage assessments and advancing risk-informed development planning. This roadmap will include standardized methodologies, action plans, and policy recommendations to be finalized in the coming months. Timor-Leste’s proactive steps - integrating disaster risk reduction, climate adaptation, and infrastructure resilience - are positioning the country as a regional model for small island developing states and climate-vulnerable nations worldwide.
Related
content
content
