Fogo: President of the Republic opens IV Conference of the Decade of the Ocean with call for reconciliation between humanity and nature

The IV Conference of the Decade of the Ocean, which is taking place today and Saturday in the city of São Filipe and in Chã das Caldeiras, on the island of Fogo, has the motto "Uniting knowledge, protecting the seas: ocean science for all" and brings together around two hundred participants representing various countries, experts, scientific institutions and international organizations.

In his speech, the Head of State highlighted the symbolic and strategic importance of holding the conference on the island of Fogo and in the Fogo/Brava region and underlined the commitment to decentralization and the enhancement of the islands, as well as the urgent need to protect the "blue lung" of the planet, which are the oceans.

"From the island where fire met the sea and became land, we raise our voices today in defense of the blue planet. We are children of the sea. The ocean is the mirror in which humanity sees itself - a mirror that challenges us to reconcile with nature and with ourselves," said the President, who added that "the way we treat the ocean is the mirror of the way we treat life."

The ocean is the mirror in which humanity sees itself - a mirror that challenges us to reconcile with nature and with ourselves.

As Champion of the African Union for the Preservation of Natural and Cultural Heritage and Patron of the UN Decade Alliance for Ocean Science, José Maria Neves emphasized Cape Verde's role as an oceanic and island country, small on land, but a great oceanic state due to the vastness of the waters that surround it and give it the true dimension of a "Great Oceanic State" whose history, geography and culture are intrinsically linked to the sea.

In his speech, the PR presented a strategic vision based on five concrete priorities for environmental and oceanic action in Cape Verde.

One of the pillars is to consolidate the integrated management of the territory and the maritime space, combating unsustainable practices such as the uncontrolled harvesting of sand and the disorderly occupation of the coastline, ensuring coherent planning between the use of the land, the coastline and the sea, as well as resolutely combating marine pollution, especially that caused by plastics.

In his speech, the PR presented a strategic vision based on five concrete priorities for environmental and ocean action in Cape Verde.

The second action is linked to strengthening water and energy resilience, accelerating the transition to clean energies and optimizing the use of resources such as desalinated water, while the third concerns the promotion of an innovative and sustainable blue economy, with a focus on aquaculture, marine biotechnology, responsible tourism, the food and pharmaceutical industries, transport and creative industries linked to the sea.

Investment in environmental and ocean literacy, especially among young people, to build a collective awareness of respect for and protection of the environment and the expansion and effective management of marine protected areas, with the active participation of local communities and the implementation of UNESCO World Reserves on the islands of Fogo and Maio were the other actions pointed out by the head of state.

"Cape Verde, as a Small Island Developing State (SIDS), is taking an active role in defending the oceans and coastal communities, proposing a new international financial architecture that recognizes vulnerability as a criterion for access to finance and sustainable development", said José Maria Neves.

Those who are on the front line of risk must also be on the front line of action, José Maria Neves argued, reinforcing support for the creation of the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index and the reform of the international financial architecture, so that vulnerability is recognized as a legitimate criterion for access to funding and development opportunities.

The PR also highlighted Cape Verde's Atlantic vocation as a bridge between continents and cultures, advocating the strengthening of an African blue diplomacy based on science, cooperation and solidarity.

At the end of his speech, the PR left a message of hope and shared responsibility.

"From here, from the island of Fogo where the land was born from the sea, we launch a blue and green flame of hope, which will illuminate the entire Decade of the Ocean and beyond. May every country, every city and every person recognize themselves as guardians of the sea and the land that unite us," he said.

The IV Conference of the Decade of the Ocean, promoted by the Presidency of the Republic, runs until the weekend and includes various panels on ocean science, coastal governance, the blue economy and environmental education.

The event asserts itself as a space where science, public policies and citizenship converge, in defense of the ocean as a common heritage of humanity.

José Maria Neves paid tribute to the composer, musician, social activist, pedagogue and politician Romeu di Lurdes, who died on Thursday in Portugal, but highlighted the presence of Cape Verdean swimmer Tatiana Mendes, world freestyle champion, who was invited to take part in the conference.

José Maria Neves paid tribute to the composer, musician, social activist, pedagogue and politician Romeu di Lurdes, who died on Thursday in Portugal.

Inforpress/End