Challenges of Climate Change to the Sustainable Development of Timor-Leste
Wed,
Apr
05
Event Format
In-Person
Event Date
-
(4:30 - 5:45 pm UTC)
Event Location
DC
As the smallest country in East or Southeast Asia, Timor-Leste is already subject to numerous extreme weather events every year, including cyclones and typhoons that result in intense flooding. Climate change is exacerbating these issues, with rising sea levels speeding up soil erosion, damaging crops, and leading to food shortages in a country which still ranks 120 out of 169 in the U.N.'s Human Development Index. This talk will cover the Timor-Leste's Government Plan for Development and its legal framework for addressing climate change.
Natercia Coelho currently serves as Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Timor-Leste. Her most recent position in Dili was Coordinator of the Department of International Relations at the President Office, before which she was the Charge d' Affaires at Embassy of Timor-Leste in Seoul. Coelho joined MFA in 2001. During her career she served at the Mission of Timor-Leste to the United Nations, as Director of the Multilateral Affaires, Chief of Department of Legal Affairs, Acting Chief of Protocol, Political Officer in the European and Southeast Asia Directorates. Prior to joining the Ministry of Foreign Affaires, she served as Assistant Officer at the Department of Justice in Macao (China).
Sponsored by
George Washington University, Elliott School of International Affairs