An Ayrshire-based United Nations worker has been bestowed with the highest honour from one of the world’s youngest countries.
Roy Trivedy, from Ayr, spoke of his pride at receiving the Order of Timor-Leste.
Roy, aged 63, was bestowed the honour — like France’s the Légion d’honneur — from Timor-Leste President, His Excellency President Dr José Ramos-Horta.
The award is in recognition of Roy’s ‘outstanding services and contributions’ to Timor-Leste, as the nation’s United Nations Resident Co-ordinator.
Roy is completing a five-year assignment on Timor-Leste, an island in south-east Asia.
His award ceremony took place at the island’s Presidential Palace.
Roy said: “The honour bestowed on me is as much a recognition of the efforts of the UN system and all partners. We will do our best to continue to serve the country’s development.”
Before joining the UN, Roy worked for the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) for 13 years, and was based in the East Kilbride office from 2009-13.
Timor-Leste (East Timor), with its population of 1.2 million people, is one of the youngest countries in the world. It was occupied by Portugal from the 16th century until November 28, 1975.
But just nine days after the Portuguese left, the land was invaded and occupied by Indonesia.
The occupation was marked by cruelty and violence until, in 1999, the UN became responsible for the country’s transition towards independence.
The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, to give its full name, achieved independence in May 2002, and became a UN member state in September of that year.
In December 2012, the UN ended its peacekeeping mission in Timor-Leste, but keeps a presence, providing support to the country’s sustainable development.
Roy arrived on the island in 2018 and now is nearing the completion of his five-year assignment to help develop the nation.
He said: “I can confidently say that Timor-Leste is now better positioned in terms of its longer-term development than in 2018.
“This results from the collective efforts of national leaders, people and communities, supported by all development partners.”
Roy thanked all the people, including political leadership, government officials, the private sector, civil society representatives, the media, communities, and all Development Partners in their efforts to develop the emerging nation.
He said: “I am also especially grateful to colleagues from the UN Country Team - who have made many valuable contributions to Timor-Leste’s development.
“Most of all, I would also like to thank my wife Teresa and my family and friends who have provided sustained support and encouragement for me in many ways.”
In 2020, at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, Roy, together with the WHO Representative (Dr Rajesh Pandav) was involved in Briefing the Council of Ministers to prepare for the pandemic.
With Dr Rajesh, he advocated for establishing the inter-Ministerial CIGC (Integrated Crisis Response Centre) and also supported the Humanitarian flights into and out of the country.
The youngest country in the world is South Sudan, which gained independence from Sudan in 2011.
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