WASHINGTON, March 19, 2013 -- The World Bank today launched a new four-year strategy for Timor-Leste, following discussions by the Boards of Directors of the Bank and IFC. The new strategy is designed to support the country as it looks to diversify the economy and improve jobs, infrastructure and health and education for its 1.2 million people.

Rome, 21 February 2013 – The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the government of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste have joined up with the Australian-financed Seeds of Life program combining maize storage facilities with higher-yielding maize seeds to help farming families reduce their “hungry season.” This can last up to five months, a period when food from the previous year’s crops has run out and the next harvest is yet to be reaped.

FOOD SECURITY SNAPSHOT

• Good rains over the main producing areas for the current cropping season

• The 2012 cereal harvest estimated to reach new record levels

• Reduced cereal imports during 2012/13 forecast

• Overall food security conditions are improving but localised food insecurity still persists

A nation formed just 10 years ago, Timor-Leste struggles to overcome complex challenges of land ownership and use rights that were created under Portuguese and Indonesian rule. Competing land claims between individuals, and between individuals and the state, are quite common and occasionally result in armed conflict and deaths. Complicating the problem is the absence of a property rights legal framework in which to address land matters.

12/31/2012 06:21 GMT

by Gianrigo Marletta

DILI, Dec 31, 2012 (AFP) - The UN ends its peacekeeping mission in East Timor Monday after 13 years in Asia's youngest nation following a bloody transition to independence as the country faces the challenge of tackling rampant poverty.

UN forces first entered the territory around the vote for independence from Indonesia in 1999 that gave way to political unrest and bloodshed, and around 1,500 peacekeepers were based there since.

As the last remaining UN police and troops trickle home, the fragile democracy is still struggling with widespread malnutrition, high unemployment and maternal mortality rates that are among the worst in the world.

SC/10861

Security Council
6892nd Meeting (AM)

Presidential Statement Welcomes Progress in Strengthening State Institutions,
Stresses Importance of Continued Support in Country’s Next Stage of Development

As the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) neared its 31 December 2012 completion, the Security Council this morning commended the country for the “remarkable achievements” of the past decade, underscoring the importance of continued support to the fledgling nation as it embarked on the next stage of its development.

I. Introduction

1 . In his letter dated 31 October 2012 (S/2012/793), the President of the Security Council informed the Secretary-General that the Council had decided to send a mission to Timor-Leste from 1 to 7 November 2012.1 The mission was composed as follows:

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