A major international symposium addressed urgent environmental and societal risks facing small communities in the Southeast Asian nation.
UNSW Sydney and the Dili Institute of Technology (DIT) co-hosted a two-day forum for researchers, policymakers, practitioners and community leaders to chart future pathways using Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in local communities.
The event, held in Dili, was officially opened by His Excellency José Ramos-Horta, President of Timor-Leste. He emphasised the vital role of water in food production, sustainable development, resilience and community well-being.
Timor-Leste's population relies heavily on subsistence farming, but access to clean and reliable water remains a challenge. A quarter of the rural population experiences high levels of food insecurity , which means communities - particularly children - are at risk of malnutrition. Deforestation, unsustainable land use, river sedimentation and a loss of biodiversity exacerbate these challenges - and climate change will only make the situation worse.
Nature-based Solutions (NbS) involve harnessing natural systems such as wetlands and forests to reduce environmental impacts and build resilience. In Timor-Leste, NbS are applied in diverse ways, including agroforestry, which integrates trees with crops and livestock to stabilise soils, enhance biodiversity and support sustainable livelihoods.
Permaculture is another NbS approach gaining traction in Timor-Leste. On the Baucau Plateau - a significant geological formation in the country's eastern region - several communities depend on the groundwater that flows from this area. Here, permaculture practices that mimic natural ecosystems can help reduce sediment runoff, slow heavy rainfall and protect water sources, offering a sustainable solution to environmental challenges.
Professor Rita Henderson, Deputy Dean, Societal Impact & Translation at the UNSW School of Chemical Engineering, said the forum activated partnerships and practical action.
"UNSW is proud to support this initiative as part of our broader commitment to advancing sustainable water management -and, in turn, progress for all, throughout the region," she said.
"Through research and translation informed by traditional cultural practices and community priorities, we aim to collaborate closely with our partners, offering additional tools and knowledge that enhance their ongoing efforts toward lasting environmental and social transformation."
The NbS symposium is the first international symposium that the DIT has hosted. Dr Aderita T. Dos Santos, DIT's Pro-Rector for Academic Affairs, said it would lead to practical outcomes, benefiting the environment and communities.
"Timor-Leste stands at a critical juncture. Our nation's rich natural environment - its forests, rivers, soils, and biodiversity - forms the foundation of our livelihoods, food security, and community wellbeing," she said.
"This symposium brings us together to bridge science, policy and community action - to explore how Nature-based Solutions can become a core pillar of Timor-Leste's sustainable development, climate resilience and public health."
The role of Nature-based Solutions
The conference addressed Timor-Leste's environmental challenges, including deforestation, unsustainable land use, river sedimentation and loss of biodiversity.
Across the two-day event, 18 panellists from Timor-Leste, Australia, Germany and Indonesia examined how NbS could provide solutions to policy and resourcing gaps, health and nutrition limitations and investment shortfalls.
Key outcomes included:
Increased awareness and knowledge of NbS for improving water access, erosion control and biodiversity at the catchment level.
Identified pathways to integrate NbS into national water and climate adaptation strategies.
Understanding of how NbS practices - such as permaculture, agroforestry and regenerative agriculture - can enhance food and nutrition security.
Shared practical lessons from other countries that are relevant to Timor-Leste.
Strengthened cross-sector collaboration through dialogue among experts in hydrology, planning, nutrition, ecology and development.
Broadening engagement across seas
The symposium is part of the UNSW Global Water Institute's broader commitments to NbS.
The University has been involved with several initiatives in Timor-Leste. This year, three members from the Institute joined the first regional PermaYouth camp on Atauro Island in Timor-Leste . In 2024, UNSW supported seven students and three staff members to participate in the PermaYouth camp in Ermera. And this month, UNSW, UTS, the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research and the National University of Timor-Leste, in partnership with not-for-profit foundation Permatil, launched a project to integrate water management solutions for food and water security.
The Institute also works with other countries in the region. Last year, in partnership with the University of the South Pacific in Fiji, researchers launched Project Halophyte to integrate NbS to restore natural tidal flows into the mangrove systems around Fiji's islands.
