UN General Assembly
2018

Without any pretence or false modesty, I am also proud of our country’s journey from independence to the present day. In fact, I can say that, according to the human, economic and financial indices, our country’s achievements have been favourably received by major international institutions, particularly those in the financial arena. However, with our country’s service-based economy, its very small market and an agricultural sector that is struggling against desertification and scarce rainfall, we cannot ignore our significant vulnerabilities, and we note that we must not rest because we have graduated to middle-income-country status. Indeed, we believe that we must not lose sight of the fact that our economy continues to be very dependent and that it cannot absorb a large number of our workers, with all the social effects that that entails, which is why we continue to rely on international solidarity. Naturally, we must also increase our reliance on domestic resources, develop through public-private partnerships and become more effective in fighting extreme poverty, social exclusion and unemployment, particularly among young people, thereby promoting growth and development in Cabo Verde.