The year 2002 saw the birth of a nation and the climax of the largest operation in UNV’s 31-year history – both in Timor-Leste (formerly East Timor). UNV’s engagement in the former Portuguese colony began just prior to a UN-organized ballot held on 30 August 1999, at which time the vast majority of East Timorese voted for independence from Indonesia. Since then, some 3,000 UN Volunteers from more than 100 countries have supported authorities in Timor-Leste, carrying out activities throughout the country with the UN Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) as well as other UN agencies.

No other UN operation has made such extensive use of UN Volunteers and their expertise. They have worked in all sectors of relief and development, including forestry and fisheries, border control, district finances, gender affairs, human rights, refugee and returnee issues, forensics, civil engineering, water and sanitation, judicial and political affairs, research and census, health, trade, public information and taxation. Hundreds now continue in these roles as part of a new nation supporting the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (UNDPKO), UNDP and UN agencies.

UN Volunteers were key in preparing for Timor-Leste's Independence Day ceremonies and celebrations on 20 May 2002. The ceremony, led by President Xanana Gusmao and United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, was attended by some 200,000 East Timorese and hundreds of international dignitaries. Timor-Leste's Senior Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs José Ramos Horta acknowledged UNV's contribution in his speech at the Independence Ceremony as well as at the official opening of the International People's Park built by UN Volunteers as their contribution to Independence Day events. In a visit later in the year to UNV headquarters, Dr. Horta acknowledged "the immense contribution of United Nations Volunteers to our economic recovery, infrastructure and democracy. On behalf of all East Timorese I would like to thank each and every one of those dedicated women and men, deep from our hearts."