S/PV.6892 Security Council

In accordance with rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representative of Timor-Leste to participate in this meeting. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. After consultations among Council members, I have been authorized to make the following statement on their behalf. “As the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) completes its mandate on 31 December 2012, the Security Council commends the remarkable achievements made by Timor-Leste over the past decade, as well as its contribution to important regional and global initiatives. “The Security Council welcomes the considerable progress that has been made by Timor- Leste in strengthening the institutional and human resources capacities of State institutions, including in the security, justice and governance sectors, which play crucial roles in safeguarding stability and promoting democracy. “The Security Council also welcomes the successful presidential and parliamentary elections conducted in 2012, which have helped to consolidate Timor-Leste’s democratic institutions. “The Security Council recognizes the important contribution of UNMIT to promoting peace, stability and development in Timor-Leste, including through its work to strengthen the capacity of the Polícia Nacional de Timor-Leste. The Security Council expresses its appreciation for the efforts of the Mission and the United Nations country team, under the leadership of the Special Representatives of the Secretary-General. “The Security Council applauds the Government and all Timorese for their steadfast collaboration and partnership with UNMIT and the United Nations country team since the Mission’s establishment, including during the jointly owned transition process, which reinforced, inter alia, the principle of national ownership to the benefit of all and could serve as a model of joint collaboration for other missions. “The Security Council notes that the Government of Timor-Leste has indicated that the United Nations will continue to be an important partner in the new phase of the development of the nation. The Security Council therefore welcomes the ongoing engagement of the Secretary-General and the United Nations country team in support of the efforts of the Government of Timor-Leste as it seeks to preserve and consolidate its peacebuilding gains and in order to promote sustainable development, the rule of law and the strengthening of human rights institutions, as well as tackle other remaining challenges. “The Security Council underscores the importance of continued support to Timor-Leste as it embarks on the next stage of its development, beyond UNMIT, and notes the willingness of the United Nations and bilateral and multilateral partners to continue, as requested by the Timorese authorities, to play a significant role in this regard.” This statement will be issued as document of the Security Council under the symbol S/PRST/2012/27. The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda.