While we commend the United Nations for having chosen
climate change as the theme for this sixty-second
session of the General Assembly, at the same time we
recall that many countries in the South have, in recent
decades, warned the international community about
this phenomenon, which is being experienced here and
there through the drama of droughts and
desertification. Climate change has multiple causes,
some natural and others generated by human action.
Therefore, the responsibilities of States and societies
with respect to these changes are not equal. Nor are the
impacts they have on the lives of the common citizen.
Likewise, we do not have the same scientific,
technological or financial means to prevent the
negative effects of climate change.
At this point, I would like to say a few words
about drought and desertification, which demonstrate,
without a doubt, the change of climate in the West
African subregion. It is needless to mention their
devastating impact on the economic and social life of
the populations. Unfortunately, in spite of conferences
and grandiloquent conclusions and declarations, the
repeated calls from the Sahel have received half-heated
and inconsistent responses. In view of the profound
implications of this stance for the lives of populations
and States, some are depicting those responses as an
abdication of responsibility on the part of the
international community.
Climate change is, without any doubt, a world
challenge with many dimensions and the potential to
restructure economic, social and political life. Most
likely, we have wasted too much time in discussion,
thereby delaying global acceptance of the problem and,
consequently, the formulation of strategies for
adaptation and mitigation.
In brief, I would like to underline the catastrophic
effects, both present and future, of climate change and
more specifically, of drought and desertification on
small island States. If the projections on sea level rise
prove to be true, we will be facing a disaster of
unimaginable proportions.
My country, Cape Verde, an archipelago of
modest physical and demographic dimensions, is a
small island State and has experienced drought and
desertification and suffered from almost uninterrupted
water shortages for more than three decades.
Indeed, Cape Verde, given its location, size,
landscape and the insular and archipelagic
characteristics of its territory, is a prime example of the
convergence and concentration of the negative effects
of climate change. Drought and desertification have an
unquestionable impact on family income and the
poverty rate. They also undermine Government efforts
and strongly condition the mobilization and allocation
of resources for development financing.
In the light of the challenges of climate change,
one should recall the leading role that the United
Nations has had and continues to have in mustering
efforts to raise awareness about this critical problem
for the future of mankind. We are convinced that the
Bali conference will set new parameters based on the
principle of equity, the legitimate aspirations of
populations to development and the differentiated
responsibilities of each and everyone.
We therefore call on the United Nations to pursue
its efforts in this area and give very special attention to
small island States, which have to contend with
multiple fragilities and vulnerabilities. It is imperative
to resume and implement the Mauritius Strategy for the
Further Implementation of the Programme of Action
for the Sustainable Development of Small Island
Developing States. The community of nations cannot
but acknowledge that, given their origins and their role
throughout history, small island States are a “heritage
of mankind”.
In spite of its structural vulnerabilities and its
undeniable lack of natural resources, Cape Verde has,
since independence in 1975, followed a positive and
consistent development path. It is in this context that
we should consider Cape Verde’s graduation or, in
other words, its withdrawal from the group of least
developed countries as of 2008. We are resolved to rise
to the challenge of this new development stage and
through audacious strategies and decisions to transform
the country. We are quite aware that the main
responsibility for Cape Verde’s development rests in
the hands of the Cape Verdean Government and
citizens. This is the spirit that has guided us in the past,
and it is the spirit that will allow us to face the
challenge of graduation. Nevertheless, during the
transition period we hope to be able to count on strong
partnership from the international community in
dealing with Cape Verde’s structural fragility and any
new vulnerabilities.
In this regard, I call on the United Nations and
Member States to pay special attention to the
declaration of the United Nations Transition Assistance
Group and to the report that the Government will soon
deliver to the Secretary-General in accordance with the
resolution on graduation which the General Assembly
adopted in December 2004.
While it is true that our development strategy is
open, daring and driven by the desire to create
opportunities for foreign direct investment, it is no less
true that today, more than ever, we need innovative aid
and financing modalities that are better adjusted to the
pace we want to set for Cape Verde’s development and
to the imperatives of the transition. It is high time that
we move from discourse to action with respect to
ownership, in accordance with the spirit of the Paris
Declaration on Aid Effectiveness.
Allow me also briefly to recall the transborder
and global nature of many modern day phenomena. I
refer to climate change and, of course, to terrorism,
organized crime and trafficking of all kinds. These
represent a threat to human security and to the
democratic rule of law, as they corrupt values,
compromise development and thwart the most
legitimate expectations of peoples.
We are living at a time when problems and threats
are of concern to all. They are not confined to a single
State or region. Nor can there be local solutions to the
global threats of our era. Responses to these issues will
be ineffective unless they are undertaken within a
robust, balanced and fair multilateral perspective.
The United Nations is, and should continue to be,
the foundation, the guarantor and the forum of
multilateralism. We are strongly convinced that the
United Nations must be strengthened for the sake of
the future of the world and of the ideals of peace,
security and development. And we are all faced with
the challenge of translating the reiterated statements of
the international community into coherent and
consistent action. It is a question of credibility in the
eyes of the world, which is watching us.
I cannot conclude without extending my
greetings, congratulations and encouragement to the
Secretary-General and wishing him success in guiding
our common Organization towards fully attaining its
founding goals and meeting the imperatives of
increased efficiency, modernization and
democratization in its work.
Likewise, I would like to extend warm greetings
to you, Mr. President, and to assure you of our
confidence that you will face the important challenges
confronting the Assembly with serenity and a sense of
duty.