Tokyo, 22 October 2025. H.E. Ambassador Viegas, accompanied by Counsellor Celio Moniz and Labour Attaché Mr. João Mendonça, met with Mr. Junnosuke Iwano, Director of the Pacific and Southeast Asia Department of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), together with Ms. Takeda and Ms. Tsukioka Iku, at the Embassy of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste in Tokyo.
Overview of JICA’s Ongoing Projects in Timor-Leste
During the meeting, Mr. Iwano expressed his honor in meeting the newly appointed Ambassador of Timor-Leste and provided an overview of JICA’s ongoing and planned cooperation projects in Timor-Leste. These include the long-term National Highway development project implemented in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Rice Production Project, the Green Forest Project, initiatives related to the Blue Economy, and the development of Nicolau Lobato International Airport.
Focus on Airport Development and Capacity Building
In response, Ambassador Viegas expressed her strong interest in the development of Nicolau Lobato International Airport. She emphasized the importance of complementing physical infrastructure development with institutional and human resource capacity building.
Ambassador Viegas requested that JICA consider supporting not only the construction aspects of the airport, but also the development of airport management capabilities. In this regard, she highlighted the need for future training programs for airport personnel, including areas such as aviation security, immigration procedures, customs and inspection services, and ground handling operations.
Reference to Potential Training Support
In this context, the Ambassador referred to the recent visit to the Embassy by the Chief Executive Officer of Rising Sun Co., Ltd., a security services company that provides training and security support to countries requiring short-term or long-term capacity building. She noted that such expertise could be relevant to Timor-Leste’s needs, particularly in the areas of airport operations, maritime security, and the protection of vital national facilities.
Strengthening Development Cooperation
The meeting concluded with a shared understanding on the importance of continued cooperation between Timor-Leste and JICA, with a view to supporting sustainable development, infrastructure improvement, and institutional strengthening in Timor-Leste.
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