DILI, 09 June 2026 (TATOLI) — The Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Forestry, Marcos “Mameta” da Cruz, on June 8, 2026, chaired the Fourth Extraordinary Meeting of the Ministers of Maritime Affairs of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP), held at the organization’s headquarters in Lisbon and via videoconference.
The meeting focused on strengthening maritime cooperation and advancing a sustainable blue economy across CPLP member states.
A central item on the agenda was the presentation, discussion, and approval of the Strategic Cooperation Plan for the Oceans (PECO) 2026–2030. The document outlines a shared vision and strategic framework aimed at enhancing collaboration among member states in areas including marine biodiversity conservation, sustainable blue economy development, scientific research, innovation, maritime security, and institutional capacity building.
In his remarks, Minister Cruz described the adoption of the new plan as a significant milestone for the community, noting that it establishes a common vision for the sustainable development of oceans and deeper cooperation among member states.
“The ocean is, for our people, a source of identity, livelihood, and opportunity. It is an essential resource for food security, sustainable economic development, and the well-being of present and future generations,” he said.
The meeting coincided with World Oceans Day and was attended by the Executive Secretary of the CPLP, Ambassador Maria de Fátima Jardim.
In her opening remarks, she highlighted the strategic importance of the maritime sector for the community, noting that CPLP member states span coastal and island nations across the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans, united by a shared history and language.
She also stressed that global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, marine pollution, and the need to promote a sustainable blue economy require stronger cooperation mechanisms within the CPLP framework.
At the conclusion of the meeting, ministers adopted a final declaration and formally approved the PECO 2026–2030. The plan aims to promote coordinated, multisectoral, measurable, and results-oriented action on sustainable ocean governance.
The strategy is structured around eight priority pillars and foresees key outcomes including strengthened technical capacity among member states, deeper scientific and technological cooperation, enhanced international coordination, expansion of the blue economy, and improved protection of marine biodiversity.
The meeting was attended by representatives from Portugal, Angola, Brazil, Cabo Verde, Equatorial Guinea, Mozambique, and São Tomé and Príncipe, including Portugal’s Minister of Agriculture and the Sea José Manuel Fernandes and Angola’s Secretary of State for Fisheries and Marine Resources Álvaro da Cunha Cândido dos Santos.
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