Cape Verde is turning the spotlight on its oceanic resources as President José Maria Neves emphasized the strategic importance of the sea during the Blue Walk event held yesterday on São Francisco beach.
The initiative brought together children and young people for a day of practical engagement with the coast, including cleaning activities, ecological games, nautical exercises, and cultural presentations.
It forms part of a broader effort to raise awareness of the sea’s value and the role it can play in the country’s sustainable development.
Speaking to the press, President Neves stressed that initiatives like the Blue Walk are more than symbolic gestures.
“These marches are showing us that everything we dream and think can become reality. We came to the sea to demonstrate its greatness and riches, which can be used for the benefit of Cape Verde,” he said.
The head of state highlighted the vast potential of the ocean to support multiple strategic sectors. “With the sea, we can produce water, medicines, food industries, generate electricity, ensure transportation, and develop tourism,” he declared, emphasizing that these resources must be harnessed responsibly to ensure long-term sustainability.
The Blue Walk is part of the Ocean Decade initiative, under the motto “Know, live, feel, raise awareness and protect,” and serves as a preparatory pre-event for the IV Ocean Decade Conference scheduled for October 10 and 11 on the island of Fogo.
Through this event, Cape Verde reaffirms its commitment to ocean literacy, environmental protection, and the promotion of sustainable practices. By involving youth in hands-on activities, the country seeks to instil an early understanding of the sea’s ecological, economic, and cultural significance.
President Neves concluded by linking the initiative to the nation’s broader developmental goals, describing the sea not merely as a resource but as a foundation for Cape Verde’s resilience and long-term prosperity. The government aims to leverage this maritime potential to drive innovation, create economic opportunities, and strengthen the country’s position in regional and global maritime affairs.
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