(AseanAll)  — On January 21, 2026, The President of the Republic of Timor-Leste, J. Ramos-Horta, met with the Secretary-General of United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Rebeca Grynspan, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos.

During the meeting, the Head of State highlighted his long professional relationship with Rebeca Grynspan, a native of Costa Rica and a prominent candidate for the position of UN Secretary-General, recognizing her as a highly reputable colleague and an international reference in the field of global development.

The meeting focused on the growing challenges of world trade, in a context marked by greater complexity and a sharp reduction in international aid budgets by traditional donors in Europe and North America. President Ramos-Horta observed that, although many developing nations are facing difficulties due to these changes, Timor-Leste remains in a relatively stable position thanks to the solidity of its Petroleum Fund, which continues to finance the national budget and act as a buffer against global economic volatility.

The encounter also provided an opportunity to strengthen cooperation ties between Timor-Leste and UNCTAD, reaffirming the country’s commitment to strategic institutional partnerships. The President stressed the importance of ensuring that small island nations, such as Timor-Leste, can continue to face international trade challenges and accelerate domestic economic growth through solid and results-oriented global cooperation.