Cape Verde Reaffirms Strong Partnership with United Nations for Resilient, Inclusive Future

Cape Verde Deepens UN Collaboration for Sustainable Development

Praia, Cape Verde – The government of Cape Verde has reaffirmed its dedication to a robust partnership with the United Nations, with Minister of State, National Defense, Territorial Cohesion, and Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and Parliamentary Affairs, Janine Lélis, emphasizing the nation's commitment to building a more resilient, inclusive, and prosperous future. This commitment is demonstrated through active engagement in various UN initiatives, particularly those focused on sustainable development and climate resilience.

A Foundation in Sustainable Development Goals

Cape Verde's partnership with the UN is deeply rooted in the pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The country actively aligns its national development strategies with the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, aiming to address critical areas such as poverty eradication, human capital development, and gender equality. The UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for Cape Verde (2023-2027), signed in October 2022, serves as a key agreement outlining collaborative efforts between the Cape Verdean government and the UN system. This framework prioritizes:

• Inclusive economic transformation and prosperity.
• Transformative governance and strengthened territorial cohesion.
• Eradication of extreme poverty.

While Cape Verde has made progress in certain SDGs, including SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), challenges remain in areas such as SDG 4 (Quality Education).

Driving Resilience and Climate Action

The island nation, recognized as a Small Island Developing State (SIDS), places significant emphasis on building climate-resilient and sustainable economies. This focus was highlighted at the National Dialogue on External Financing and Climate-Resilient Sustainable Development held in Praia on October 8, 2025. During this high-level forum, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Olavo Correia underscored the necessity of 'innovative and collaborative approaches' to reconcile macroeconomic stability with investments in green transformation, climate resilience, and social inclusion. UN Resident Coordinator Patrícia Portela de Souza lauded Cape Verde's strategic vision, describing the dialogue as 'a milestone in Cabo Verde's journey towards an inclusive, sustainable, and climate-resilient future'.

Furthermore, Cape Verde's leadership in this area was recognized at a Regional Dialogue on External Financing and Climate-Resilient Development in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on May 27, 2025. The event, convened by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), highlighted Cape Verde and Comoros as leading African SIDS in building climate-resilient, inclusive, and sustainable economies.

Minister Lélis's Broader International Engagement

Minister Janine Lélis, whose extensive portfolio includes Minister of State, National Defense, Territorial Cohesion, and Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and Parliamentary Affairs, plays a crucial role in advancing Cape Verde's international relations and development agenda. Her statements and the government's actions underscore a consistent policy of leveraging international partnerships, particularly with the UN, to achieve national development objectives and contribute to global sustainability efforts.