SPEECH OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TIC TIMOR I.P. IN THE OCCASION OF LAUNCHING STRATEGY PLAN OF TIMOR DIGITAL 2032

His Excellency,

Prime Minister, Taur Matan Ruak

Your Excellency,

Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Mr. Fidelis Manuel Leite Magalhães

Excellencies, Ministers, Vice-Ministers and Members of Government

Ambassadors, Resident Representatives for Development Partners,

Dear colleagues,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Distinguished Guests,

Intro

It is with great honour that I welcome you, distinguished members of the government and diplomatic missions, and our esteemed guests and thank you all for your presence today.

Today, we gather on a very special occasion for two main reasons:

First, we wish to share with you the progress we made over the last five years – progress which would not have been possible without all of your support.

Secondly, the official launching of the Timor Digital 2032 Strategic Plan, a strategic plan that captures the Government's shared dream of making Timor-Leste a digitally forward nation. Timor Digital aims at the digitalization of all government services by 2032 with a primary objective to improve the delivery of our services, support the delivery of the administrative reform agenda, while at the same time, foster the development of a digital economy and society.

I am standing before you today not only as the Executive Director of TIC Timor, but also as someone who is an advocate and is sexcited of the possibilities digital transformation and innovation bring.

TIC Timor and achievements

TIC Timor

TIC Timor was established in 2017 and has been given a crucial mandate as the lead agency leveraging digital technologies and ICT to create a smarter government to modernize public administration. Our role reflects the government's commitment to foster an information society and digitally transform the public sector in Timor-Leste. As a central coordinating agency, we're entrusted with the mission of implementing approved ICT policies and strategies, managing and securing government ICT infrastructure, and developing effective platforms that further the objectives of digitalization.

Achievements

Since 2017, TIC Timor has been instrumental in advancing digital transformation within the government. One of our milestone achievements has been working towards connecting all state institutions and 12 municipalities through a resilient terrestrial optic fibre network, installed via EDTL's transmission network. This initiative paves the way to a modernized public services and boosted internet connectivity across the nation.

We've been developing a government datacentre capable of hosting a multitude of government ICT resources, including websites, portals, databases, emails, and virtual video conferencing facilities, amongst others, with plans to establish a quality datacentre that can host all government data and systems, and is digital government ready.

Furthermore, TIC Timor has also been focused on laying the legal and policy ground for digital transformation, which led to the drafting of key legislation in areas such as data protection and privacy, copyright, cybercrime, e-commerce, and cybersecurity strategy.

Timor Digital

The efforts of TIC Timor have culminated in the development of a comprehensive national strategy for digital development. A strategy that effectively addresses all facets necessary for holistic digital growth, encompassing areas such as government and national infrastructure, government systems, the Unique ID, digital skills and literacy, civic participation, private sector investment, gender equality, inclusion, e-commerce, digital health, education, agriculture, and the enabling legislative framework.

TIC Timor was proudly handed the role of drafting Timor Digital 2032 for the Government, which was approved by the Council of Ministers in December 2022 and which we proudly launch today.

Timor Digital serves as a dynamic, evolving blueprint for all: the government, civil society, the private sector, and development partners. It is a framework for all of us to work together, towards a future where digital capabilities are at the heart of our public administration and society.

As we transition into this new era, I want to reassure you that TIC Timor will continue the not hard but heart work and is fully prepared, committed, and ready to spearhead the implementation of Timor Digital 2032, as mandated by the Council of Ministers. Being the leading implementation agency for the initiatives within Timor Digital, we fully comprehend the magnitude of our responsibilities.

And in order to do so, we are committed to strengthening partnerships and promoting collaboration across all levels of government, civil society, private sector, development partners, and all stakeholders.

We will continue being the catalyst for the required technological development, providing support to government ministries and institutions in their digital transformation journey, and encouraging the creation of digital value across all sectors.

Timor Digital 2032 is more than just a strategy for us; it's a shared promise of a future of digital empowerment and progress. As we set off on this exciting journey, let's imagine the endless possibilities that our digital future can hold and make the vision of Timor Digital an everyday reality.

Thank you.