Dili, June 11 (AseanAll)  — On June 11, 2025, Timor-Leste President and Nobel Peace Laureate, J. Ramos-Horta, bestowed the Medal of the Order of Timor-Leste to two distinguished international representatives in recognition of their exceptional service to the Timorese people and their contributions to national development.

The recipients of this prestigious honor are:

1.Mr. Marc A. Weinstock, Chargé d’Affaires of the USA Embassy in Timor-Leste

2.Mr. Bernard Harborne, Resident Representative of the World Bank in Timor-Leste

U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Marc A. Weinstock has served as U.S. Embassy Dili’s Chargé d’Affaires since August 2023. During his 18-month tenure, he oversaw significant improvements in U.S. mission coordination across Peace Corps, USAID, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, and U.S. Navy Seabees. Under his leadership, the U.S. Embassy expanded outreach to all 13 municipalities of Timor-Leste, strengthening grassroots ties between American and Timorese communities.

Weinstock enhanced U.S.-Timorese security cooperation through humanitarian assistance programs, maritime security initiatives, critical improvements to Baucau Airfield in coordination with F-FDTL, and expanded bilateral training activities including Dalan ba Dame, CARAT, and more than a dozen engagements under the State Partnership Program with the Rhode Island National Guard.

World Bank Representative Bernard Harborne has served as World Bank Country Representative in Timor-Leste since August 2021, supporting the government’s post-pandemic economic recovery efforts. His tenure has focused on economic diversification, job creation in sectors such as the blue economy, and addressing the needs of Timor-Leste’s young population, including efforts to combat stunting.

Harborne’s key achievements include collaboration with the Ministry of Finance on fiscal and public financial management reforms, helping establish the Inter-Ministerial Taskforce on Social Affairs focused on nutrition and food security, and strengthening public discourse on evidence-based policy making. His extensive experience with the World Bank since 2004 includes work in post-conflict transitions across multiple countries in Africa and Asia.

Ramos-Horta stated: “The services rendered by Mr. Weinstock and Mr. Harborne exemplify the spirit of international cooperation that is fundamental to our nation’s peace, stability, and development. The Resident Representative of the World Bank in Timor-Leste, Mr. Bernard Harborne, performed activities of great importance in favor of our people in the various sectors of national development throughout his professional career. The services rendered by the Chargé d’Affaires of the United States of America, Mr. Marc A. Weinstock, have benefited many Timorese over the years and deserve to be recognized and valued by the State.”

Mr. Marc A. Weinstock will complete his assignment in Timor-Leste in mid-June 2025 and will assume his next post as Deputy Chief of Mission to the Kingdom of Eswatini in Southern Africa. Mr. Bernard Harborne concluded his tenure in Timor-Leste at the end of June 2025 and will serve as World Bank Country Representative for Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.