The g7 + is a platform of 20 fragile and conflict-affected countries based in Dili, East Timor. Mr. Da Costa received his doctorate in trade policy from the University of Adelaide, South Australia in 2001. Helder was Senior Advisor on Aid Effectiveness at the Timor-Leste Ministry of Finance (2008-2013) and represented the g7 + in the Steering Committee of the Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation (2012-2014). Since 2010, Mr. Helder da Costa is the Secretary General of the g7 +.