This Detailed Assessment examines the progress of Timor-Leste in adopting Sustainable Public Procurement (SPP), a crucial step in fulfilling the country’s commitments under United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12.7. The successful implementation of SPP in Timor-Leste will require the collaborative efforts of key stakeholders, government ministries and the private sector. Nonetheless, the National Strategic Development Plan (NSDP) 2011–2030 has already designated sustainability as a core priority for national development, along with promotion of inclusive economic growth while safeguarding environmental protection. A significant advance within the NSDP is perceptible: sustainability is now being prioritised over short-term economic growth, an important difference with respect to procurement processes of the past. While economic growth is acknowledged for its role in job creation and national prosperity, it is vital that such growth not compromise environmental conservation or the well-being of future generations. At the same time, the Timor-Leste Methodology for Assessing Procurement Systems (MAPS) Report 2024 has indicated that the country lacks specific policies or strategies for implementing SPP, and this Assessment addresses this issue in detail.
