During 13–15 August 2025, a delegation from the Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (Public Organization) (NEDA) visited Timor-Leste to participate in the signing of a collaboration project for the rehabilitation of Basic Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (BEmONC) centres. With a total grant of USD 700,000, the project will support the rehabilitation and upgrading of the BEmONC centres in Baguia and Quelicai, Baucau Municipality, as well as the provision of two multi-functional vehicles to enhance emergency services and thereby reduce maternal and newborn mortality in these areas. This initiative is a trilateral cooperation between the Government of Thailand, through NEDA, the Government of Timor-Leste, represented by the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Health, and UNFPA Timor-Leste. It also marks NEDA’s first project in Timor-Leste.

Mr. Perames Vudthitornetiraks, President of NEDA, signed the Letter of Intent (LOI) with Mr. Francisco da Silva, Director General of Management and Mobilization of External Resources and representative of the Ministry of Finance of Timor-Leste, and the Co-financing Agreement with Ms. Navchaa Suren, UNFPA Representative in Timor-Leste, at the signing ceremony on 13 August 2025. Key witnesses from all three parties included H.E. Mr. Mariano Assanami Sabino, Vice Prime Minister, Minister Coordinator for Social Affairs, and Minister of Rural Development and Community Housing; Mr. Flávio Brandão, Vice Minister of Health; and Ms. Milena Rangel, Vice Minister for ASEAN Affairs, representing the Government of Timor-Leste. H.E. Mr. Atipat Rojanapaibulya, Ambassador of Thailand to Timor-Leste, and Ms. Funmi Balogun, UN Resident Coordinator in Timor-Leste, also attended, together with representatives from the diplomatic corps and international organizations in Timor-Leste.

On 14–15 August 2025, the NEDA delegation, together with UNFPA Timor-Leste and representatives from the Royal Thai Embassy, visited the project site in Quelicai to meet with healthcare personnel and obtain first-hand information about the challenges of providing maternal and newborn health services in the area. The delegation also paid a courtesy call on Dr. Veneranda E. M. Lemos Martins, President of Authority Municipal Baucau, who expressed full support for the project to achieve sustainable and tangible results for the benefit of local communities.

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