The g7+

28/10/2026

The Hikma fellows delegation had the opportunity to meet with H.E. Dr. José Ramos-Horta, President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, as part of a learning visit focus on peace, resilience and state-building

27/10/2026

27/10/2026

26 October 2026 - The g7+ Secretariat presented Certificates of Recognition to 10 students from Suai Secondary School (ESGP Suai) and the University of Dili (UNDIL) in recognition of their participation as part of the g7+ delegation at the Border Festival, held in Com, Lautém Municipality, from 23–25 October 2026. Their participation provided a valuable opportunity to engage in activities promoting dialogue, reconciliation, and tourism, while learning about the importance of peacebuilding and strengthening relationships among communities.

In his remarks, Dr. Felix Piedade, Chief Operating Officer of the g7+, expressed his hope that the students would make the most of this opportunity to learn, exchange experiences, and build meaningful networks with fellow participants and community members. He encouraged them to become agents of peace by promoting dialogue, mutual understanding, respect for diversity, and reconciliation within their peer in schools, universities, and wider society. He also emphasized the important role of young people in sustaining peace, strengthening national unity, and contributing to a peaceful and prosperous future for Timor-Leste.

The participating students expressed their appreciation and happiness for being part of the Border Festival and the g7+ delegation. They valued the opportunity to learn from the experiences of others, engage with different communities, and gain a deeper understanding of the importance of dialogue and reconciliation. Their participation reflects the importance of empowering young people to become active contributors to peacebuilding and community development, in line with the g7+’s mission of “Goodbye Conflict, Welcome Development.”

27/10/2026

On 26 October 2026, the g7+ delegation, led by Secretary-General Dr. Helder da Costa, participated in the 10th International Meeting on Triangular Co-operation in Lisbon, Portugal.

Speaking at the session “Triangular Partnerships in Fragile Settings and Contributing to Post-Conflict Reconstruction,” Dr. da Costa highlighted the g7+’s commitment to peacebuilding, stronger national institutions, predictable development financing, and greater representation of conflict-affected countries in global decision-making. He emphasised Fragile-to-Fragile Cooperation as a means of sharing practical experiences and strengthening country-led solutions, drawing on examples from Guinea-Bissau and the Central African Republic. Founded on the solidarity and volunteerism, such engagement among memeber countries has the potential to inspire progress in areas that are ciritical for peace and stability. He called upon donors and partners to support these peer to peer cooepration among countries that have expereinced transition from conflict to peace and are willing to share their lessons with each others.

Accompanied by Deputy Secretary-General, Mr. Habib Mayar, Policy Officer, Mr. José Gomes and Protocol and Partnership office Mr. Elisio Veladares, Dr. da Costa held bilateral discussions with senior officials of Türkiye, Qatar, and Rwanda Cooperatio Initiaive, a g7+ partner, to explore opportunities for future collaboration.

The g7+ reaffirmed its commitment to South-South and triangular cooperation that promotes national ownership, mutual accountability, and sustainable peace and resilience.

25/10/2026

On 23 October 2026, the g7+ participated in the side event “Catalyzing Transformation: Multilateral, Country-Led and Local Action for Food Security and Nutrition in Complex Settings” held on the margins of the 54th session of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS54) in Rome.

Representing the g7+ as a member of the Global Network Against Food Crises (GNAFC), Mr. Habib Mayar, Deputy Secretary-General of the g7+, highlighted four priorities: recognising the link between conflict and hunger, prioritising prevention, investing in countries’ potential for food self-reliance through multisectoral approaches, and strengthening national ownership.

The discussions reinforced a message the g7+ has long championed: peace and food security go hand in hand. Fragmented responses, siloed interventions and insufficient national ownership undermine sustainable progress. Addressing food crises requires coordinated action that tackles their root causes, strengthens national capacities and supports locally led solutions.

On the margins of CFS54, the g7+ also held bilateral meetings with partners, including FAO, WFP, the GNAFC and the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement Secretariat, to explore opportunities for peer learning, stronger national data and early-warning systems, and country-led initiatives to advance food security and nutrition.

23/10/2026

On 23 October 2026, the g7+ participated in the official opening of Border Festival held in Com, Lautém Municipality, an initiative aimed at promoting dialogue, reconciliation, and tourism while strengthening peace and cooperation in Timor-Leste.

As part of its participation, the g7+ brought 10 students, including from Suai Secondary School and the University of Dili, providing them with valuable opportunities to learn, exchange ideas, and build networks with other participants. This experience also encouraged young people to appreciate the importance of dialogue, peaceful coexistence, and reconciliation in building a peaceful and resilient society.

Through its engagement in the festival, the g7+ reaffirmed its commitment to promoting peacebuilding, youth participation, and community cooperation, while recognizing the potential of local tourism to contribute to sustainable development and stronger relationships among communities.

In his opening remarks, the Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, H.E. Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, urged the younger generation to learn about their cultural roots and recognize the importance of promoting dialogue and reconciliation. He expressed hope that the Border Festival, which brings together Timorese people from the eastern and western parts of the country, would serve as a platform to strengthen unity, foster mutual understanding, and share Timor-Leste’s commitment to building harmonious relationships as a foundation for peace and development with the world.

22/10/2026

Mr. Habib Mayar, Deputy Secretary-General of the g7+, will represent the g7+ as a member of the Global Network Against Food Crises (GNAFC) at the CFS54 side event on “Catalysing Transformation: Multilateral, Country-Led and Local Action for Food Security and Nutrition in Complex Settings” on 23 October in Rome.

On behalf of the Network, he will share the perspectives of conflict-affected countries and highlight the importance of country-led action and sustained support to address food insecurity in crisis settings.

21/10/2026

On 21 October 2026, the g7+ Secretariat team, led by Secretary-General of g7+, Dr. Helder da Costa, held a public audience with Commission B of the National Parliament of Timor-Leste, which is responsible for Foreign Affairs, Defence, and Security Affairs.

The meeting provided an opportunity to update Commission B on the g7+ budget ex*****on for 2026, progress achieved, ongoing challenges, and priorities for the coming year.

The President of Commission B, H.E. Domingos Augusto “Deker,” emphasized the Commission's moral responsibility to maintain engagement with the g7+ and remain informed about its work at the global level, highlighting the organization’s role in raising Timor-Leste’s international profile.

Commission B reaffirmed its political commitment to supporting the g7+, including through continued budgetary support to facilitate the implementation of its program and activities. During the meeting, Dr. Helder da Costa presented an overview of the g7+’s work at the global and country level, and confirmed that the current budget allocation (US$ 2 million) would be maintained to support the organization’s activities through 2027.

The meeting concluded with both parties reaffirming their commitment to strengthening cooperation and sustaining political and moral support for the g7+ in advancing its mission to promote peace, resilience, and development in conflict-affected and fragile countries.

19/10/2026

The HIKMA delegation continued its study visit by exploring important lessons from TL on strengthening public finance management and the sustainable management of natural resources wealth.

17/10/2026