Forging Timor-Leste’s Blue Economy Future
Nestled in the turquoise waters of Timor-Leste, Ataúro Island has long been a place of untapped potential. Known for its vibrant marine biodiversity and resilient communities, it is now poised to become a model of sustainable development under the country’s ambitious Blue Economy strategy.
Amid ambitious efforts to revitalize its island communities, Timor-Leste’s Ministry of State Administration achieved a historic milestone with the establishment of Ataúro Administration Authority and the launch of Ataúro Special Development Fund. Spearheaded by the Minister of State Administration, the initiative gained momentum through an initial allocation of USD 3 million in 2024 state budget, marking a pivotal step toward sustainable development for the island. This strategic investment laid the groundwork for programmes that are both economically and environmentally viable, address the needs of the population of Ataúro and safeguard the island’s rich heritage and biodiversity.
In particular, under Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão’s vision, there are plans for establishing a Marine Park and a Marine Research and Education Centre—institutions that promise to become beacons of environmental preservation and sustainable economic activity in the region. These institutions, as the Prime Minister emphasized, seek to conserve the island's marine environment and promote a sustainable blue economy, positioning Ataúro as a centre for scientific research and marine conservation.
The United Nations Country Team (UNCT), through the coordinated leadership of the Resident Coordinator (RC), was enlisted to help facilitate this vision through the engagement of local authorities.
The Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO) in Timor-Leste spearheaded a coordinated effort among UN agencies to assist the Government of Timor-Leste—at the request of the Ministry of State Administration—in developing a strategic plan for the Ataúro Administrative Authority. This Strategic Plan is to lay the groundwork for the ability to respond, infrastructure, financing and policy environment that will be required for the implementation of the sustainable Blue Economy strategy.
The UN Resident Coordinator brought together UN expertise to undertake an initial assessment of infrastructure and development opportunities on the island, and as an opportunity to support greater alignment of the activities of the Ataúro Special Development Fund and the Ataúro Administration Authority. The assessment process was marked by an inclusive, community-driven approach, under the leadership of the local authority, in order to reflect the genuine needs and aspirations of the local population. This was to ensure that community’s participation and traditional knowledge remains critical to developing a strategy that would in essence be preserving the ecosystem on which peoples’ livelihoods and culture depend.
Building partnerships for inclusive development
As the Strategic Development Plan moves toward the next phase, the UNCT through the leadership of the Resident Coordinator is working with the government on the financing opportunities. These efforts extend beyond the development of the Strategic Plan for the Ataúro Authority, to encompass a comprehensive set of activities, including, addressing the socio-economic needs of the islanders, developing capacities for preserving the ecosystem, the placement of resilient and climate friendly infrastructure and increasing access to the sustainable use of the sea and forests of the island—all pivotal to Timor-Leste’s economic diversification ambition.
This requires ongoing engagement with a broad range of stakeholders—from local community leaders to international development partners, ensuring that each development initiative is underpinned by both technical rigor and grassroots legitimacy. It also ascertains that all the initiatives are a part of a broader policy and a bigger development paradigm. The Island has an opportunity to emerge as a unique development model in the region.
The Resident Coordinator has brought together government entities and UN agencies to build a robust network of partners, enabling the plan's implementation through expertise and financing, and ensuring its impact reaches well beyond Ataúro Island.
The partnerships being leveraged by the Resident Coordinator prioritize strengthening the Ataúro Authority’s capacity to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through enhanced planning and development initiatives. One valuable contribution of this effort has been addressing the deficit in educational infrastructure, where an analysis of policy standards against existing facilities has yielded actionable recommendations —such as increasing enrolment in schools, reducing dropouts and ensuring gender inclusive infrastructure—all aligned with the principles of SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality).
Expanding the blue economy vision across Timor-Leste
While Ataúro Island remains a flagship programme, the broader vision extends well beyond its shores. The initiative is now evolving into a comprehensive programme aimed at catalyzing sustainable development across multiple coastal communities in Timor-Leste. By integrating modern data-driven planning with traditional practices, the programme seeks to create a blueprint that can be adapted to other regions, fostering economic diversification and environmental resilience on a national scale. This wider strategy is designed to address challenges in health, nutrition, skills development, and rural infrastructure, thereby ensuring that the benefits of the Blue Economy are shared equitably. Moreover, the programme underscores Timor-Leste’s commitment to preserving its cultural artefacts and natural heritage, blending economic progress with sustainable resource management.
The coordinated efforts of the UNCT, led by the RC and RCO, are uniting government agencies, local communities, and international partners to create a resilient, inclusive framework for development. With its eyes set on the future, Timor-Leste is not merely building infrastructure, it is forging a path toward a vibrant Blue Economy that honors its heritage while embracing sustainable innovation.
To read more coordination results from the UN in Timor-Leste click here.
