After praising the work of UNESCO over the past 70 years, the President pointed to the challenges facing humanity, such as the state of quality education, the protection of the environment and the development of effective citizenship.

“To these challenges we must add the fight against intolerance, the culture of violence and extremism, which unfortunately do not spare defenseless populations, nor iconic symbols of human creativity and cultural heritage that is historic and universal,” declared Jorge Carlos Almeida Fonseca.

“As a developing African island State, Cabo Verde welcomes the priority given to Africa and to Small Island Developing States, and we are convinced that this will be reflected significantly in the mobilization of resources,” he added.

The President reiterated his country’s support to UNESCO’s activities, which support dialogue, the culture of peace and citizenship education. “We must act as a global family in which solidarity, cooperation and partnerships take on a truly humanist and constructive form.”

Following his address, the President met Irina Bokova, the Director-General of UNESCO, who welcomed his country’s commitment to the cause of culture and its efforts to have culture recognized in the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.

The Director-General and the President of Cabo Verde also spoke of the United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP21) that will take place in Paris from 30 November to 11 December. Ms Bokova spoke of the threat that climate change posed for Small Island Developing States and welcomed the country’s promotion of renewable energies.

President de Almeida Fonseca was accompanied by Maria de Jesus Veiga Miranda, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Manuel Faustino, Secretary General of the Presidency and Maria Fatima Lima de Veiga, Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of Cabo Verde to UNESCO.