FiTI finds strong support in Cabo Verde during participation in 3rd Oceans Conference

SAL, June 7-8, 2024. The FiTI international Secretariat recently participated in Cabo Verde’s third Conference of the Ocean at the invitation of the President of the Republic of Cabo Verde – and Patron of the Decade of the Ocean – Dr José Maria Neves.

The conference – opened by President Neves, the Resident Representative of the United Nations’ Cabo Verde Office, the UNESCO Director General (virtually) and the Mayor of Sal – is an important stage for students, researchers, civil society organizations, and governments to showcase their work in ocean sustainability and renew commitments and engagements with the goals for the United Nation’s (UN) Ocean Decade. It also provided attendees the opportunity to obtain advice from international entities like the UN Food & Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the World Bank and the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on how to access funding and strengthen partnerships to improve marine resource sustainability initiatives.

Representing the FiTI International Secretariat, Sara Lopes, FiTI’s Senior Advisor Strategic Partnerships & Lusophone Africa, presented how countries can work towards good governance of marine fisheries by implementing the FiTI Standard and enhancing public access to fisheries management information. Acknowledging Cabo Verde’s efforts to implement the FiTI, she advocated for other African coastal and island countries to follow the country’s lead and enhance transparency of marine fisheries management.

In addition to participating in the conference, the FiTI met with numerous representatives from various local, national and international entities and diplomatic representations established in Cabo Verde, including the President of Cape Verde, Dr. José Maria Neves, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Cabo Verde, Dr. Patricia de Souza, European Union Delegate Dr Carla Grijó, the Embassy of the United States Deputy Chief of Mission Margaret McElliGott, several NGO’s and members of the Cabo Verde National, ECOWAS and African Union Assemblies.

Many of the representatives expressed an openness and interest in the FiTI’s work, supporting the initiative and commending the FiTI for pushing for public access to fisheries management information. The President of the Republic of Cabo Verde welcomed the FiTI International Secretariat, proposing various partnership opportunities between the FiTI and the Presidency of the Republic, especially as the President is one of the 10 “Patrons for the Decade of the Ocean” and a champion of the preservation of Africa’s natural and cultural heritage.

The FiTI will continue to explore opportunities to collaborate and establish new partnerships in Cabo Verde. As stated by Ms Lopes, “the FiTI is committed to supporting Cabo Verde’s and neighbouring coastal countries’ efforts to improve transparency in their marine fisheries sector and achieve sustainable marine resources management through implementation of the FiTI Standard.”