H.E. Dr. Kaifala Marah, Minister of Finance and Economic Development of Republic of Sierra-Leone and chair of g7+ visited Dili, Timor-Leste, the host of g7+ Secretariat during 19 – 22 September 2015. The objective was to further strengthen political buy-in for g7+ and exchange views to further strengthen the group of g7+ to tackle development challenges.
H.E. Dr. Marah met the Prime Minister of Republic of Timor-Leste, H.E. Dr. Rui Araujo and discussed strengthening the g7+ through cooperation among the member countries and exchanging knowledge and promoting peace and sustainable development.
The Prime Minister ensured Dr. Marah of Timor-Leste’s continued support to the group. Both agreed that g7+ member countries should lead the implementation and monitoring of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which will be adopted during the 70th UN General Assembly (UNGA). The chair of g7+ expressed his gratitude for Timor-Leste’s active role and support to the g7+ countries including assistance for Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone in tackling Ebola epidemic.
The chair of g7+ applauded the cabinet resolution on the SDGs that was passed during his visit to Dili, and he also attended the national validation workshop of the second phase of fragility assessment conducted in Timor Leste.
Dr. Marah together with the Prime Minister delivered an executive lecture on g7+ perspective on the sustainable development where both emphasized the country context and leadership to be the starting point for sustainable development to happen.
During his visit, the g7+ Chair also met Ministers including H.E Xanana Gusmão, Eminent Person of g7+ and H.E Emilia Pires, Special Envoy of g7+. The chair commended H.E. Xanana for his instrumental and leading role in promoting peace and reconciliation in g7+ member countries, Mr. Xanana ensured Dr. March of his continued role and support for the cause of g7+.
The g7+ chair used the opportunity to visit the National Petroleum Authority (ANP) to exchange knowledge in natural resource management. The chair provided strategic direction to g7+ secretariat on how to take forward the SDGs and arrange for the upcoming Ministerial meeting of the g7+, which is planned to take place in Kabul, Afghanistan during the first quarter of 2016.