Africa-Press – Cape verde. The Prime Minister of Cape Verde Ulisses Correia e Silva defended, during his speech at the 78th General Assembly of the United Nations, in New York, that the Government wants to transform the country into a “Digital Nation” and “diversify the economy”, with the aim of goal of eradicating extreme poverty by 2026, within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals – SDGs.
In his speech, Ulisses Correia e Silva began by highlighting that the theme of the General Debate of the UN General Assembly must “in fact” mobilize nations “towards peace, prosperity, progress and sustainability for all”.
Recalling that the world has been experiencing intense moments of crisis, the head of the Cape Verdean Government said that “we have witnessed the rise of populism and extremism and attacks on democracy and successive coups d’état in African countries”.
The Ukraine war was also highlighted. “In these difficult times due to the war in Ukraine, Cape Verde stands on the side of the values and principles of freedom and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of peoples and countries. We condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in the name of these principles and values,” he highlighted.
Ulisses Correia e Silva also said that in these difficult times due to instability and successive coups d’état in African countries, Cape Verde is on the side of the principles and values of constitutional liberal democracy.
“In the name of these principles, we condemn the use of coups d’état as a way of accessing power,” he stated.
Two-thirds of Africans prefer democracy
Still focusing on the African continent, he recalled that a recent Afrobarometer survey shows that two thirds of Africans prefer democracy to any other form of government. But only 38% express satisfaction with the way democracy works in their countries.
“If, on the one hand, there is a disregard between citizens and political power regarding the functioning of democracy, on the other hand, there is an opportunity. Citizens’ preference for democracy is an opportunity for more and better democracy, good governance, more citizen empowerment, combating corruption, fiscal and financial transparency and policies based on results that generally touch people’s lives, create trust and hope ”, he defended.
In this context, he argued that “credible and reliable electoral and judicial systems”, “press freedom that promotes pluralism” and “strong institutions” are “fundamental for the confidence of political actors and citizens in the rules of the democratic game”.
In this way, he said, serious crises and extreme conflicts are prevented and democracy is strengthened.
Cape Verde committed
In this sense, he assured that “with a spirit of collaboration and resolution”, Cape Verde is “committed” to working alongside all United Nations Member States to address insecurity in the West African region and the rest of the world.
“Together, the united nations, we can turn this challenge into an opportunity to build a safer world, where peace, stability and prosperity are accessible to all people.”
The head of the Cape Verdean Executive also stated before the UN plenary that Cape Verde remains firm in its “commitment” to achieving the SDGs with integrated policies. “We aim to eradicate extreme poverty by 2026. We will not leave anyone behind in education. We are accelerating the energy transition. We are investing to reduce dependence on groundwater sources for agriculture. We want to transform Cape Verde into a Digital Nation and diversify the economy”.
At the end of his intervention, Ulisses Correia e Silva, assured that the country embraced the United Nations 2030 Agenda as a “roadmap for progress”.
“Our Second Sustainable Development Plan is oriented towards this commitment. We reaffirm our firm commitment to materializing the commitments we have just agreed at the Summit on the SDGs, vital for this Decade
of Action,” he concluded.
The 78th General Assembly of the United Nations, under the management of Dennis Francis, kicked off on the 19th in New York and runs until the 26th, with the participation of the heads of state and government of the 193 UN member states.
For More News And Analysis About Cape verde Follow Africa-Press
