UN Secretary-General called for supporting the "blue economy", which is a long-term strategy aimed at supporting sustainable economic growth through oceans-related sectors and activities.
Guterres said that the blue economy is a fundamental opportunity to promote sustainable development in the archipelago.
“Sea level rise and the loss of biodiversity and ecosystems pose existential threats to the archipelago,” he explained. “I am deeply frustrated that world leaders are not giving this life-and-death emergency the necessary action and investment.”
Guterres made these remarks during his visit to Cape Verde, which is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
The UN Chief also warned that Cabo Verde’s commitment might not be enough, noting that the country is “on the frontline of an existential crisis” – climate change.
In turn, the Prime Minister of Cape Verde, José Ulisses Correia e Silva, said that his country wants to be “better known and have more relevance” in the international arena, and the Ocean is the sector where they want their voice to be heard.
“It makes sense to position ourselves in this specific area and to do it with relevance. It makes sense that this message is coming from here,” he said.
In the past five years, as part of this effort, the country has held an ‘Ocean Week’ every year and, on this coming Monday, Cabo Verde is partnering with the Ocean Race to hold a summit that will feature speakers from all over the world, including the Secretary-General.
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