UN Secretary-General António Guterres told parliamentarians in Timor-Leste the world has much to learn from their inspirational struggle for self-rule, 25 years to the day since the historic referendum which paved the way for independence in 2002. In a surprise move, legislators made the UN chief an honorary citizen of their southeast Asian island nation during the celebrations in the capital Dili, prompting the UN chief to declare he was proud to now be part of such a “heroic people”.

Secretary-General António Guterres received a warm welcome in the capital of Timor-Leste where he hailed the 25th anniversary of its vote for independence, praising the national unity of the past, and pledging the UN’s unwavering support in the future. The UN chief was met at the airport by Timorese President José Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão with a musical celebration and full military honors. “The United Nations and the Timorese people stood side by side at a time when the country took the building of its destiny into its own hands. The United Nations will continue to support the aspirations of the Timorese people in the journey ahead”.

Secretary-General António Guterres issued a “global SOS” from Tonga in the Pacific, urging governments to step up climate action to “Save Our Seas” as two new reports revealed how rising sea levels are threatening the vulnerable region and beyond. Speaking during a press conference in the capital, Nuku’alofa, Mr. Guterres called for world leaders to drastically slash global emissions, quickly phase out fossil fuels, and massively boost climate adaptation investments to protect people from current and future risks. 

The island nations of the Pacific are “showing the way” to protect the planet from the ravages of climate change and now the rest of the world needs to step up with more support, the UN chief said. Secretary-General António Guterres was addressing the opening of the Pacific Islands Forum in Tonga, telling leaders that while much of the world is embroiled in conflict, injustice and socio-economic crisis, the Pacific “is a beacon of solidarity and strength, environmental stewardship and peace.”

Pacific island nations threatened by rising oceans, debt and geopolitical tensions can only fight back if international lenders agree to fairer terms for vital development funding and the world’s biggest polluters make a “massive increase” in contributions to address “climate chaos”, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said. Speaking in Samoa, where he met residents uprooted from their homes by sea level rise and coastal erosion, Mr. Guterres said that Pacific islanders had refused to be victims of climate change. But their ambitious plans to resist this “existential threat for millions” had been put on hold, amid a lack of promised funding, he insisted.