LocationsHandover of STAE’s New Offices in Three Municipalities, supported by UNDP and the Government of Japan
July 14, 2023
The inauguration & handover ceremony of STAE’s new offices for the Municipality of Manatuto, Covalima, and Viqueque.
Dili, 13/07/2023 – The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Covid-Resilient Elections in Timor-Leste (CORE-TL) project, funded by the Government of Japan, handed over new offices to Secretariado Técnico de Administração Eleitoral (STAE) in the Municipality of Manatuto.
On 13th July, the inauguration & handover ceremony of STAE’s new offices took place in the Municipality of Manatuto, attended by H.E. Ambassador of Japan to Timor-Leste Mr. KIMURA Tetsuya, H.E. Minister of the Ministry of State Administration Mr. Tomás Cabral, H.E. Minister of Health Dr. Élia António de Araújo dos Reis Amaral, CNE Vice-President Mr. Domingos Barreto, STAE General Director Mr. Acilino Manuel Branco, and Officer-in-charge Resident Representative of UNDP Timor-Leste Ms. Adeline Carrier.
The ceremony represents the handover of 3 STAE’s new offices in Manatuto, Covalima, and Viqueque municipalities, supported by the UNDP CORE-TL project and the Government of Japan. All the new offices are equipped with accessible facilities for people with disabilities, such as an accessible toilet, a handwashing station with a ramp, and spacious multi-functional rooms as well as climate-resilient facilities including solar panels and a rainwater harvesting system.
H.E. Minister of the Ministry of State Administration, Mr. Tomás Cabral emphasized the cooperative partnership with UNDP and Japan, saying “Through the support on new constructions of STAE offices, UNDP helps to improve STAE’s public services that enhance lives of people in Timor-Leste. Once again, congratulations to UNDP and the Government of Japan for the completion of the construction activity.
General Director of STAE Mr. Acilino Manuel Branco reiterated “In cooperation with the UNDP CORE-TL project, we have completed the renovation of 7 STAE offices (Dili, Liquica, Aileu, Ainaro, Baucau, Bobonaro, and Lautem municipalities) and the new construction of 3 STAE offices (Manatuto, Covalima, and Viqueque municipalities). We sincerely appreciate the strong support to accelerate our work in pursuit of inclusive elections.”
The inauguration & handover ceremony was attended by H.E. Ambassador of Japan to Timor-Leste, H.E. Minister of the Ministry of State Administration, H.E. Minister of Health, Officer-in-charge Resident Representative of UNDP Timor-Leste, and Election Management Bodies.
H.E. Ambassador of Japan to Timor-Leste Mr. KIMURA Tetsuya expressed “During the Parliamentary election held this May, I had the opportunity to witness the aspirations of the people of Timor-Leste, men and women, young and old, people with disabilities, people with small children, and pregnant women to participate in nation building by voting in the election. I believe that assets gained through this cooperation project including the new STAE building will contribute to many elections in the future.” Japan supports the UNDP CORE-TL project with US$ 4 million and approx. US$ 2 million was allocated to the construction activities for the EMB offices.
UNDP OIC Resident Representative Ms. Adeline Carrier congratulated the electoral management bodies for the successful parliamentary election, stating “Democracy is upheld by citizens’ active participation in the political processes, and Timor-Leste has held a successful and transparent parliamentary election with a voter turnout over 79 percent – one of the highest in the world. UNDP keeps supporting the democratic and inclusive elections in Timor-Leste to leave no one behind.”
In cooperation with the Election Management Bodies and the Government of Japan, the UNDP CORE-TL project ensures safe, informative, and inclusive elections at the national and municipal levels.
The new STAE office is equipped with accessible facilities for people with disabilities, such as a handwashing station with a ramp, accessible toilets, and spacious multi-functional rooms.