On February 20th 2018, a letter was sent from the Director-General of the World Health Organization, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, to the State Minister and Minister of Health for Timor-Leste, Dr Rui Maria de Araujo, acknowledging their application to join the Codex Alimentarius Commission. And with this communication, the Government of Timor-Leste officially became the 188th Member of the Commission.

Great opportunities to improve public health and drive sustainable development.

Dr Kazuaki Miyagishima, Director Food Safety and Zoonoses, WHO, said: “Timor-Leste, located at a crossroad of maritime trade, is bringing such a wealth in culture and history to Codex. Its membership in Codex will, in turn, provide the country with great opportunities to improve public health and drive sustainable development.”

One of the youngest populations in the world

The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste regained its independence in 2002. Timor-Leste has a population of 1 167 242 (Census 2015), 70% of which live in rural areas. Timor-Leste has one of the youngest populations in the world, with 62% of the population under the age of 25.

Subsistence agriculture is the main activity of the rural population and only 30% of arable land being used for cropping or in combination with animal grazing (GOTL, 2007). The country heavily depends on imports to meet its consumption needs. Timor-Leste has one of the highest malnutrition rates in the world among Timorese children and women. Micronutrient deficiencies such as iron, vitamin A and iodine constitute a major challenge.

Timor-Leste is the 188th Member of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Photo WHO/SEARO)

Despite strong economic growth, 41% of the population still lives below the national poverty line. Chronic food insecurity, low agricultural production, high levels of vulnerable informal employment and youth unemployment pose development challenges. Timor-Leste ranks 133 out of 188 countries in the Human Development Index (HDI). Many development partners including WHO and other UN agencies have been working together to support the Government of Timor-Leste in the areas of health sector and agriculture development including early recovery from recurrent crises and natural disasters. Timor-Leste became the first country in Asia-Pacific to launch a national United Nations’ Zero Hunger Challenge campaign.

We look forward to welcoming delegations from Timor-Leste at Codex meetings

"I am very happy that a new country has decided to join the Commission! We look forward to welcoming delegations from Timor-Leste at Codex meetings. We will be working with their Contact Point to make sure they can fully participate in Codex," said Tom Heilandt, Secretary of the Codex Alimentarius Commission.

Links

Read more about WHO operations in Timor-Leste.

Learn more about Timor-Leste: FAO country profile.