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Reflections from Fogo: The Oceans Decade Conference
- Patricia Rendall
- Nov 12
- 2 min read
The Cabo Verde team has returned from a week of dynamic exchanges at the Ocean Decade Conference, held under the auspices of the Presidency of the Republic of Cabo Verde. The event opened with remarks from the UN Resident Coordinator in Cabo Verde, Patrícia Portela de Souza, appointed by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, and heard from global partners including FiTI, CAOPA, PRCM, IUCN, GEOMAR, several universities, and UNDP.
During the fourth panel, Fauna & Flora presented its bottom-up approach to advancing ocean science, empowering local communities, and strengthening civil society organisations. Press coverage of the conference highlighted the session as one of the standout examples of conservation best practice.
The Cabo Verde delegation also showcased collaborative work developed with São Tomé e Príncipe. Team member Pedro Ramos (Fauna & Flora’s São Tomé e Príncipe Project Officer) took time out of an ongoing field visit from funder Blue Action Fund to make a valuable contribution to the presentation.
Key priorities of the Fogo Declaration include:
Promoting universal and open access to ocean data and technology, ensuring that local communities and youth benefit directly from scientific progress.
Empowering local authorities through decentralised coastal and marine governance and integrating ocean issues into municipal planning.
Advancing participatory co-management of marine resources, encouraging community involvement and sustainable livelihoods such as ecotourism.
Securing fairer economic and social justice measures, including increased benefits from international fishing agreements to improve fishers’ well-being.
Elevating Cabo Verde and other Small Island Developing States (SIDS) as leading voices in global ocean governance, advocating for science-based, transparent policies and innovative financing mechanisms.
A highlight of the event was the signing of the Fogo Declaration, reaffirming Cabo Verde’s leadership in championing accessible science, decentralised governance, and inclusive ocean stewardship.
The PaMAR project’s core objectives and principles are closely aligned with the Declaration’s goals.
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The next Ocean Decade Conference is scheduled to take place in Boa Vista Island next year.
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