LocationsRegional collaboration to integrate disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation into development among Timor-Leste, the Maldives, and Seychelles
Timor-Leste strengthens risk-informed development through regional collaboration on climate and disaster resilience
December 16, 2025
Training participants from the Maldives, Seychelles and Timor Leste
UNDP Timor-Leste
As climate-related disasters increasingly threaten development gains across Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Timor-Leste is strengthening its national capacity to integrate disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation into national development planning and budgeting.
From 25 to 28 November 2025, six (6) government representatives from Timor-Leste participated in a four-day regional training titled “Integrating Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Adaptation into Development: An Interdisciplinary Learning Experience” in Bangkok, Thailand. The training focused on embedding risk-informed approaches into public policy and investment decisions. It brought together government representatives from Timor-Leste, the Maldives and Seychelles, providing a platform for peer-to-peer exchange on experiences, and practical solutions for building resilience in highly vulnerable contexts.
The training convened Timorese officials from key institutions, including the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Tourism and Environment, the Civil Protection Authority, the Ministry of State Administration, the Ministry of Public Works, and the Ministry of Planning and Strategic Investment.
Ms. Joana Belo, representative from the Ministry of Tourism and Environment delivering her intervention during the training.
UNDP Timor-Leste
“For Timor-Leste, it is important that disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation build on work already underway and are strengthened over time,” said Joana Belo, Ministry of Tourism and Environment representative. “The ultimate goal is to better protect our people and improve how government manages current and future risks.”
Timor-Leste, like many SIDS, faces growing exposure to floods, landslides, and climate-related shocks that disproportionately affect communities and strain public resources. Strengthening the integration of disaster and climate risks into development planning is therefore critical to safeguarding lives, infrastructure, and livelihoods.
Timor-Leste delegation presenting the risk-informed development mainstreaming the national roadmap
UNDP Timor-Leste
With support from UNDP, the regional initiative promoted a holistic, multi-hazard and multi-sector approach, emphasizing that disaster risk reduction, climate adaptation, and sustainable development are deeply interconnected. Participants shared national experiences on risk governance and emerging approaches to disaster and climate risk financing, while also identifying gaps and opportunities within existing systems.
“Climate change and disasters are among the greatest challenges for sustainable development in the 21st century,” said Angelika Planitz, Team Leader, UNDP Disaster & Climate Risk Governance. “These risks cannot be addressed in isolation; resilience must be systematically integrated into development planning and decision-making.”
“Climate change and disasters are among the greatest challenges for sustainable development in the 21st century,” said Angelika Planitz, Team Leader, UNDP Disaster & Climate Risk Governance.
UNDP Timor-Leste
A key outcome of the training was the development of draft, country-specific roadmaps outlining practical next steps for mainstreaming disaster and climate risk considerations into development planning and budgeting across multiple sectors. These roadmaps will guide follow-up actions at the national level, supporting more resilient and informed investment decisions.
Beyond technical learning, the event underscored the value of peer-to-peer exchange among SIDS, demonstrating how shared vulnerabilities can translate into shared solutions. By learning from one another, participating countries strengthened a collective commitment to resilience and sustainable development pathways.
The regional initiative promotes a holistic, multi-hazard, and multi-sector approach, highlighting the interconnectedness of disaster risk reduction, climate adaptation, and sustainable development.
UNDP Timor-Leste
About the project
The training was conducted under UNDP Disaster and Climate Risk-Informed Development in Small Island Developing States (the Maldives, Seychelles and Timor Leste). The project aims to strengthen the capacity of national and local governments, and communities to build their resilience to disaster and climate risks, reduce their risk exposure and vulnerability, as well as save lives and livelihoods from disaster impacts towards sustainable development. The initiative is supported through the UNDP Funding Window on Governance, Peacebuilding, Crisis and Resilience, with financial contributions from the Governments of Denmark, Luxembourg, and the Republic of Korea.
Related
content
content
