As a young nation with newly gained independence Timor-Leste faces great challenges including low levels of education, weak institutions, low human capacity, insecurity and widespread poverty and vulnerability. The country is at risk of and highly vulnerable to natural disasters such as heavy seasonal rain falling on steep slopes, tropical cyclones and storms, and coastal flooding among others. In addition, Timor-Leste is highly vulnerable to climate change with the coastal zones of the country being some of the areas most at risk. UNDP has been working on identifying some of the most pressing climate risks and is developing interventions to support those most vulnerable to Climate Change and is now between other things undertaking an extensive Coastal Vulnerability Assessment.

To implement this Coastal Vulnerability Assessment and design an Integrated Coastal Management and Adaptation Strategic Plan for Timor-Leste, UNDP has commissioned CAD together with experts from the Climate Change Center of the institute of Technolgy, Bandung. The objective of this project is to address key climate change induced challenges of the coastal communities and to provide recommendations of integrated measures of the physical and socio-economic impacts of climate change on coastal ecosystems. The recommendations must consider and respect local and informal rights and social structures. Furthermore, the results of this assessment will serve as a basis for decision makers to promote activities to protect coastal zones and the livelihood of coastal communities.