EIGHTH MINISTERIAL MEETING OF THE ZONE OF PEACE AND
COOPERATION OF THE SOUTH ATLANTICMINDELO DECLARATION

PreambleWe, the Ministers of the Member States of the Zone of Peace and Cooperation of theSouth Atlantic, hereinafter referred to as “the Zone”, meeting in Mindelo on the occasionof the Eighth Ministerial Meeting of “the Zone”;
1.

Recalling the United Nations’ General Assembly Resolution 41/11 of October 1986,
which declared the Atlantic Ocean, in the region situated between Africa and SouthAmerica, a “Zone of Peace and Cooperation of the South Atlantic”, as well as theother relevant United Nations General Assembly resolutions;

2.

Recalling also all the Declarations and Plans of Action adopted at the previous
Ministerial Meetings of Member States of the Zone.

3.

Aspiring for the South Atlantic to be a region recognized as an example of peaceand dialogue among nations, believing that it should be preserved from extraregional political tensions, and expressing our common goal to resolve threats tointernational peace and security within the region.

4.

Welcoming the meetings of Senior Officials of the Zone of Peace and Cooperationof the South Atlantic, held on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly,
reiterating the view that this initiative should be held annually, with a view
to intensifying dialogue and cooperation among Members of the Zone on issues of
relevance to the Zone and to the international agenda, and recalling the conclusionsof the Brasilia Round Table held in 2010 with a view to further refining theidentification of areas for enhanced cooperation among Member States of the Zone;

5.

Reaffirming the role of the Zone as a forum for increased integration among its
Member States and reiterating the commitment to further strengthen dialogue and1cooperation within the Zone and with organizations and mechanisms integrated by
Member States, such as the African Union and the Union of South American Nations(UNASUR);
6.

Recalling that the Africa-South America Summits have recognized ZPCSA as animportant instrument for promoting peace and security and encouraged continued
dialogue and cooperation within the Zone, and acknowledging, in this regard, theMalabo Declaration, adopted at the third Africa-South America Summit held in
Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, on 20-23 February 2013, which welcomed the decisionof the Ministers of ZPCSA to consolidate the South Atlantic as a zone free of nuclear
weapons and weapons of mass destruction, and the commitment of its Member
States to the promotion of peace and security, democracy, sustainable development,
economic prosperity, social inclusion, cultural integration and solidarity;

7.

Underlining the need to build a world order based on a multipolarity of cooperationand solidarity, and expressing our firm commitment to contribute to the achievementof this goal through cooperation in the Zone and in our relations with otherorganizations and mechanisms, for the benefit of international peace and security;

Purposes and Principles
8.

Reaffirm our commitment to the principles and purposes of the United Nations
Charter and our full respect for International Law, including the principles ofsovereignty and sovereign equality of states, territorial integrity, settlement ofinternational disputes by peaceful means, and non-intervention in the internal affairsof states;

9.

Reiterate that the South Atlantic must remain a region committed to promoting
peace, security, cooperation, democracy, respect for human rights, sustainable
development, economic prosperity, socioeconomic inclusion and cultural
integration and solidarity among the Member States of the Zone;

10. Stress the need to continue to preserve the South Atlantic region free from thescourge of war and the instability of armed conflicts, as well as to work together inaddressing common challenges faced by the region, including transnationalorganized crime, hybrid threats, piracy, drug trafficking, terrorism, illegal,2unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU), biopiracy, and environmental crimes,
among others;
11. Reiterate the commitment of the Member States of the Zone to democracy andpolitical pluralism and to the promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms,
including the right to development, and in this regard welcome the contribution
made by the United Nations Human Rights Council and the Peacebuilding
Commission;
12. Reaffirm that the Zone must be a forum for the development of cooperation amongits Member States in areas such as maritime domain awareness, science andtechnology, education, capacity building, coastal surveillance, environment, public
security, defense, strengthening of national institutions, trade, sports, tourism,
economy, communications, transport, culture and political dialogue, recalling thestrong potential the South Atlantic presents for the socio-economic development of
the Member States of the Zone;
13. Recall the decision to continue to promote enhanced dialogue, cooperation

initiatives and collaboration for the direct benefit of all Members of the Zone, andin this regard have agreed on the Mindelo Action Plan which is attached to thisDeclaration;
14. Stress that the implementation of the objectives of the Zone requires thestrengthening of capacities of its Member States, including through technicalcooperation in the areas referred to in paragraph 12;
Global Governance
15. Welcome the ongoing efforts aimed at reforming the United Nations in order torender the Organization better equipped to deal with the current challenges tointernational peace and security. In this regard, call for an urgent reform of the
Security Council –an essential element of our overall effort to reform the United
Nations –and express support for its enlargement in order to make it more broadly
representative for developing countries, efficient and transparent and, thus, to further
enhance its effectiveness, its legitimacy and the implementation of its decisions.

3Moreover, consider it essential to revitalize the General Assembly and the Economic
and Social Council;
16. Calling for a more representative international financial architecture, with anincrease in the voice and representation of developing countries, which aresignificant contributors to the global economy;
17. Further welcome the efforts made for permanent representation of the African Union

to the G20 and thank all partners that already expressed support for its realization.
18. Noting the need to fight against impunity for the most serious crimes of international

concern in a consistent manner and stress the importance of full and consistentcooperation by all members of the international community.
Disarmament
19. Reiterate our commitment to consolidating the South Atlantic as a Zone of Peace

and Cooperation, free from nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction,and call upon other States to recognize it as such;
20. Reaffirm that the very existence of weapons of mass destruction, in particular

nuclear weapons, continues to pose a grave threat to humankind and to instigate
tension and mistrust among peoples;
21. Reaffirm also that the advancement of the multilateral disarmament agenda – inparticular the need to fulfill the nuclear disarmament obligations under the NPT – isa matter of high priority for the Member States of the Zone;
22. Express our support for the conclusion of a legally-binding comprehensive

framework of mutually reinforcing instruments, including a Nuclear Weapons
Convention, that lead to effective, irreversible and transparent nuclear disarmament
with a view to achieving the objective of complete elimination of all nuclear
weapons. Such a framework should include clearly defined benchmarks, timelines,
and be backed by a strong system of verification;
23. Remain concerned about the danger to humanity posed by the possibility that nuclear

weapons could be used, and recall the expression of deep concern by the 2010
Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of nuclear
weapons at the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of any use of nuclear
weapons;424. Note that nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation are inextricably linked,

requiring continuous and irreversible progress on both fronts;
25. Highlight the importance of the Plan of Action agreed at the 2010 Review

Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons(NPT), in particular the steps by the Nuclear-Weapon-States to fulfill theirunequivocal undertaking to accomplish the total elimination of their nuclear
arsenals, regret that the Tenth NPT Review Conference was unable to achieveconsensus on a final outcome document, and express support to the process towards
the Eleventh Review Conference, which can make a significant contribution to nonproliferation of nuclear weapons.
26. Recall the 1994 Declaration of the Zone on the Denuclearization of the South

Atlantic adopted by the Third Ministerial meeting and accordingly undertake all
efforts to prohibit and prevent in their respective territories and jurisdictional waters
the testing, use, manufacture, production, acquisition, receipt, storage, installation,
deployment and possession of any nuclear weapon, as well as to refrain fromengaging in, encouraging or authorizing, directly or indirectly, any of these activities
in the South Atlantic; in this sense, call on the international community to adhere to
the status of the Zone;
27. Note with appreciation the contribution of the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear

Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean (Treaty of Tlatelolco) and that boththis Treaty and the African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (Treaty of Pelindaba)
are in force and in this regard urge the international community to fully observe thedenuclearized status of the Zone;
28. Also note with appreciation the contribution for more than 30 years of the Brazilian-Argentine Agency for Accounting and Control of Nuclear Materials (ABACC), theonly existing bi-national organization of safeguards in the world;
29. Reaffirm the commitment to nuclear disarmament, nuclear non-proliferation andpeaceful uses of nuclear energy, the three pillars of the Nuclear Non-proliferation
Treaty and in this regard, reaffirm the inalienable rights of the Member States of theZone to engage in research, production and use of nuclear energy for peacefulpurposes without discrimination in conformity with articles I, II, III and IV of the
Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty;
30. Express their continued support to a successful convening of the Conference on the

Establishment of a Zone Free from Nuclear Weapons and All Other Weapons ofMass Destruction in the Middle East;
31. Stress the need for the full implementation of the United Nations Programme of

Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light

5

Weapons in All its Aspects, and support efforts to curb the illegal flow of arms andammunition, particularly within the Zone;
32. Underline the importance of regulating the legal trade in conventional arms,

including small arms, light weapons, ammunition, explosives and other relatedmaterials, welcome the entry into force of the Arms Trade Treaty, on 24 December
2014, as well as the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, on 22 January
2021, recognize that several members of the Zone are Parties to both Treaties andurge States that have not yet done so to ratify or accede to them;
33. Urge States that have not done so to sign, ratify and implement the “Convention on

the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-personnel
Mines and on their Destruction” and to cooperate in the field of demining and on
issues relating to international cooperation and assistance, including victim
assistance;
34. Note the important contribution of the Chemical Weapons Convention as well as of

the Biological Weapons Convention to global disarmament efforts;
35. Recall the resolutions adopted by the United Nations General Assembly related to anuclear-weapon-free southern hemisphere and adjacent areas, and welcome thecontinued contribution that the Antarctic Treaty and the treaties of Tlatelolco (TheTreaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Carribean,
14 February 1967) Rarotonga (The South Pacific Nuclear Free-Zone Treaty, 6
August 1985) Bangkok (The Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon – FREE
ZONE, 15 December 1995) and Pelindaba (Pelindaba Treaty – The African Nuclear
Weapon FREE ZONE Treaty) are making towards freeing the southern hemisphereand adjacent areas covered by those treaties from nuclear weapons;
36. Reaffirms its commitment to initiate the process for accession to the Treaty for theProhibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), and to encourage States that are not yet
parties to it, to proceed with its ratification or accession, with the firm intention ofdisarmament, which will contribute for the maintenance of peace and international
security;
Peace and Security
37. Reaffirm the importance of preventive diplomacy, mediation, good offices,peacemaking, peacekeeping and peacebuilding for the maintenance of international
peace and security as well as their key role in avoiding the escalation of disputes into
conflicts and in advancing conflict resolution;
38. Reaffirm further the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of

conflicts and in peacebuilding, disarmament and nonproliferation,and stress theimportance of their equal participation and full involvement in all efforts for the6maintenance and promotion of peace and security, and the need to increase their rolein decision-making with regards to conflict prevention and resolution;
39. Reaffirm also our commitment to the protection of civilians in armed conflicts, andwelcome the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2427 (2018),
which provided a framework for the prevention of grave violations against children
in armed conflict situations. Reaffirm also our commitment to the promotion of foodsecurity in the context of armed conflicts and welcome the adoption of United
Nations Security Council Resolution 2417 (2018), which identified how conflict
contributes to hunger;
40. Share a common view that the international community must be rigorous andconstant in its efforts to value, pursue and exhaust all peaceful and diplomatic means
available in dealing with situations of conflict, in line with the principles andpurposes of the Charter of the United Nations;
41. Recall the 2005 UN Summit Outcome Document and the responsibility of each

Member State to protect its population from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing
and crimes against humanity, and recognize the helpful contribution by Brazil
through the concept of the Responsibility while Protecting as an importantcomplement to the concept of Responsibility to Protect;
42. Stress that special attention must be given to the interdependence between security

and development, as they are mutually supportive and key in achieving sustainable
peace. Underline that many conflicts have a strong socioeconomic component,
which normally aggravates other conflict drivers. Acknowledge the need to ensurethat UN activities designed to help countries build peace, promote human rights andthe rule of law, reduce poverty, and build strong democratic States are appropriately
and effectively integrated;
43. Welcome the positive developments underway in African countries, in particular in

those Member States of the Zone in post-conflict situations and invite theinternational community, including the United Nations, regional and sub-regionalorganizations and international financial institutions, to complement and strengthen
the peacebuilding and development efforts being made by the governments of thesecountries;
44. Express our willingness to contribute to the enhancement of the existing mechanisms

and capacities of prevention and peaceful resolution of conflicts within the Zone, as
well as support peacebuilding efforts in the increasing number of countries emerging
from conflict in Africa, in particular Disarmament, Demobilization andReintegration (DDR) and Security Sector Reform (SSR), including through the7United Nations Peacebuilding Commission and the African Union Framework for
Reconstruction and Development;
45. Express support for the leadership of the African Union Peace and Security Council

in its efforts to prevent and resolve conflicts in Africa according to Chapter VIII of
the Charter, bearing in mind the primary responsibility of the United Nations
Security Council for the maintenance of international peace and security inaccordance with the United Nations Charter. In this regard, commend the progress
made in the resolution of conflicts in Africa and call upon the international
community to continue to complement efforts aimed at achieving lasting and durable
solutions to remaining armed conflicts;
46. Call upon member states of the Zone to strengthen their efforts in the fight against

piracy, armed robbery, terrorism as well as drug trafficking and psychotropic
substances and in this regard recognize those made particularly in the framework of
Yaounde Architecture;
47. Express deep concern over the negative role of the illegal exploitation of natural

resources in fueling conflicts and note with satisfaction the ongoing efforts in Africa,
in particular by Member States of the Zone, for the implementation of a legal
framework aimed at tackling this practice and to this effect, call upon theinternational community to support this effort and in this regard urge for theprotection of critical infrastructure particularly those in the field of oil and gas
offshore exploration and production as well as transatlantic fibber and submarine
optical cable;
48. Stress the importance of United Nations Peacekeeping Operations, to which someMember States of the Zone are major contributors, and in this regard, recognize thepotential for cooperation to strengthen the capacity of the Member States of the Zone
to participate in peacekeeping operations;
49. Reaffirm also the need to support current peace processes and United Nations

peacekeeping operations currently deployed in Member Sates of the Zone. In thisregard, reiterate the need to further explore cooperative mechanisms andopportunities in the field of peacekeeping operations;50. Stress the importance of international support on issues such as capacity building,logistics, information exchange and cooperation among national peacekeeping
training schools and between these Regional Peacekeeping Training Centers, among
others;51. Express support for the full implementation of the zero-tolerance policy regarding

cases of crimes committed by personnel deployed in United Nations field missions,particularly in cases of sexual exploitation and abuse affecting women and children,8and welcome efforts being undertaken by Member States of the Zone to address such
violations;
52. Recognize the importance of the role of regional and sub-regional peacekeeping

operations, such as the current African Union, Economic Community of West
African States (ECOWAS), the Central African Economic and Monetary
Community (CAEMC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC)
operations, as a complement to the role of the United Nations in this area inaccordance with Chapter VIII of the United Nations Charter and the primary
responsibility of the United Nations Security Council in the maintenance ofinternational peace and security, and stress the need to further develop this role
through capacity building and cooperation among the Member States of the Zone;
53. Further welcome the adoption by the Security Council of Resolution 2033 (2012)

regarding cooperation and coordination between the United Nations and regionalorganizations, in particular the African Union, commend the African Union for theestablishment of a Standby Force and stress the need for the full implementation of
the 2005 World Summit Outcome regarding a 10-year Plan for capacity building
with the African Union;
54. Reaffirm the determination of Member States of the Zone to prevent and eliminate

piracy, in particular at this moment in those States along the Gulf of Guinea, in
accordance with international law, including the purposes and principles of theCharter of the United Nations and relevant international conventions and protocols,in particular human rights law;
55. Reaffirm also the necessity of bringing to a speedy and unconditional end

colonialism in all its forms and manifestations;
56. View with concern the continuation of situations that adversely affect thesovereignty and territorial integrity of some Member States of the Zone;
57. Support efforts by Member States of the Zone in promoting the principle of settling

disputes by peaceful means and in finding negotiated solutions to territorial disputes
affecting Member States of the Zone;
58. Call for the resumption of negotiations between the Governments of the Argentine

Republic and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland inaccordance with General Assembly resolution 2065 (XX) and other relevant
resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly on the “Question of theMalvinas Islands (Falkland)” with a view to finding as soon as possible a peaceful,just and durable solution to the sovereignty dispute;
59. Reaffirm GA Resolution 31/49, which requires both parties in the sovereignty

dispute over the Malvinas Islands, South Georgias Islands and South Sandwich
Islands and the maritime surrounding areas, to refrain from taking decisions that9

would imply introducing unilateral modifications in the situation while the islands
are going through the process recommended by the General Assembly resolutions.
In this context, view with concern the development of illegitimate hydrocarbon
exploration activities in the area under dispute, as well as the reinforcement of themilitary presence by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in
the area, in violation of UNGA Resolution 31/49. Highlight the right of the Memberof the Zone to permanent sovereignty over their natural resources, including the rightof the Argentine Republic to take legal action with full respect for international law
and relevant resolutions against non-authorized hydrocarbon exploration andexploitation activities in the referred area.

Defense60. Welcome the participation of Defense Ministers in the Ministerial Meetings of theZone and the engagement of officials of the Ministries of Defense, which allows for
new opportunities of cooperation in the field of defense;
61. Remain committed to strengthening cooperation for peaceful purposes in the fieldof defense;
62. Reiterate that the members of the Zone share a common interest in reinforcing theSouth Atlantic as a Zone of Peace and Cooperation, free from nuclear weapons andother weapons of mass destruction;
63. Welcome the initiatives related to Defense envisaged in the Mindelo Plan of Actionand express their commitment to further intensify cooperation in the framework of
the Zone;
64. Acknowledge that the initiatives aim to further increase confidence among Member

States of the Zone in defense-related issues and to strengthen defense cooperation
partnerships, so that the Zone reinforces its presence in the South Atlantic region;
65. Acknowledge further that the initiatives should include mechanisms for efficientexchange of information among competent authorities and relevant institutions,military exercises, official visits, exchanges and other defense capacity-building
programs among Member States of the Zone;

10

66.

Acknowledging the importance of the South Atlantic Maritime Area (A.M.A.S) asa reference on issues related to monitoring of maritime and fluvial communicationlines, in their respective control areas; and encouraging the strengthening of regional
cooperation among its members in areas of common interest, such as Maritime
Traffic Naval Control.

67. Welcome multinational exercises among the Member States of the Zone, such as

GUINEX exercise, in seeking sustainable solutions to the challenges posed by illicit
activities and in strengthening their naval capacities.
68. Acknowledge the importance of maritime safety and security in the region, by

providing a credible platform for dialogue, building lasting partnerships andcatalysing strategic solutions to fight megatrends and emerging threats, transnationalorganized crime, violent conflict, violent extremism and terrorism, cyber threats andmultifaceted maritime security threats, in accordance with each Member´s national
legislation in terms of defense and security responsibilities;
69. Acknowledge the need for a mechanism of Coordinated Maritime Presences (CMP),

aiming to increase the patrolling and monitoring capabilities of the ZOPACAS
countries, in view to obtain a comprehensive and permanent maritime situationalawareness, allowing greater confidence in guaranteeing maritime security, throughjoint and coordinated actions;70. Acknowledge the importance of keeping strategic alignment in the fight against

piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, reinforcing the efforts of the countries in the region, in
accordance with each Member´s national legislation in terms of defense and security
responsibilities, supporting the efforts of ZOPACAS member States and within theframework of the architecture of Yaoundé.
Development, including Economic and Financial Issues
71. Express deep concern about the global escalating poli-crisis aggravated by the war

in Ukraine, and its economic, environment and social effects on developing
countries, including the most vulnerable, the Least Developed Countries/LDC andthe Small Island Developing States/SIDS and, in this context, emphasize that
austerity policies alone will not solve these problems, that must be accompanied bysubstantive policies designed to foster economic growth and social inclusion,leaving no one behind;11

72. Stress the need to actively participate on the ongoing processes on development

financing at the United Nations, conducive to the SDG Summit (NY, September2023), the High-Level Dialogue on Financing for Development (NY, September2023) and the Summit of the Future (New York, September 2024), as well as toaccomplish the Monterrey and Doha agendas on financing for development, relevant
to setting concrete action and bold commitments to be consolidated at the 4 thInternational Conference on Financing for Development (Addis Ababa in 2025);
73. Welcome the outcomes of the 2ndUnited Nations Conference of the Oceans/UNOC,

held in Lisbon in 2022, emphasize the importance of conservation and sustainable
use of the South Atlantic Ocean and its resources and to that end reaffirm the crucial
contribution of the implementation of SDG 14 (Conserve and sustainably use theoceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development);
74. Highlight the important contribution of marine scientific research to sustainable

development. Stress that, in order to ensure the sustainability of marine ecosystems
and establish effective policies for the use of its resources, it is essential to haveappropriate scientific knowledge. International cooperation, specially south-south
and triangular, capacity building and technology transfer are vital to obtain thescientific knowledge needed for decision-making and policy development and tocomplement capacities among countries and reduce gaps of funding to undertake
marine scientific research.
75. Affirm the need to strengthen international cooperation among Members of the Zone

in areas of mutual interest such as marine scientific research, marine spatialplanning, the establishment and management of marine protected areas, combatting
the effects of climate change, monitoring, fisheries research, ecosystem approaches
to fisheries management, the empowerment of women and girls in ocean science andthe sustainable use of oceans, and awareness-raising strategies on the importance ofconservation and sustainable use of oceans.
76. Welcome the proclamation of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for

Sustainable Development (2021-2030), which will provide a historic opportunity for
ocean research, preservation and restoration. Underline the importance ofinternational cooperation, capacity building, technology transfer and the need toensure adequate and sufficient funding for ocean research.
77. Acknowledge the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on ocean-based economies

and the marine environment and recognize the efforts made by Members of the Zone
to continue research activities in order to contribute to a sustainable, inclusive andenvironmentally resilient recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic in whichecosystem-based approaches play a critical role.
78. Recalling that trade is to be conducted with a view to raising standards of living,ensuring full employment, and pursuing sustainable development, reaffirm the12foundational principles and objectives of the World Trade Organization as
underscored in the Doha Development Agenda. In this regard, reaffirm ourcommitment to strengthen the rules-based, non-discriminatory, open, fair, inclusive,
equitable and transparent multilateral trading system with the World Trade
Organization at its core;
79. Call for the necessary flexibility and political will in order to achieve balanced,

ambitious, comprehensive and development-oriented outcomes at the Thirteenth
Ministerial Conference. In this context, reaffirm the commitment to envision
reforms to ensure the proper functioning of the WTO, preserving development issues
at the center of multilateral trade negotiations;
80. Reaffirm our willingness to promote increased trade and investment relations within

the Zone and remain committed to an open and non-discriminatory, rules-based
multilateral trade system, recognizing its positive impact in addressing theinternational financial crisis, as well as to growth and development;
81. Commends the steps taken by the Group of 20, to further promote debt-related

measures and the implementation of the Debt Service Suspension Initiative and theCommon Framework for Debt Treatments beyond the Debt Service Suspension
Initiative, calls for all official bilateral creditors to implement these initiatives fully
and in a transparent, timely and effective manner, while noting that more needs tobe done, including to respond to the needs of countries not covered by current
initiatives, including middle-income countries.
82. Recognizes the role of the United Nations and of the international financial

institutions, in accordance with their respective mandates, and encourages them tocontinue to support global efforts towards sustained and inclusive growth,sustainable development and the external debt sustainability of developing
countries, including through continued monitoring of global financial flows and theirimplications in this regard;
83. Calls for the intensification of efforts to prevent and mitigate the prevalence and costof debt crises by enhancing international financial mechanisms for crisis prevention
and resolution, encourages the private sector to cooperate in this regard, and invites
creditors and debtors to further explore, where appropriate, transparent and case-bycase basis, the use of new and improved debt instruments such as debt swaps,
including debt for equity in Sustainable Development Goal projects, as well as debt
indexation instruments;
84. Requests the Secretary-General to submit to the General Assembly at its seventy-

eighth session an action-oriented report on the implementation progress made on
international measures and concrete recommendations to accelerate theimplementation of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda of the Third International
Conference on Financing for Development and the 2030 Agenda with respect to13

matters of debt and debt sustainability and the related efforts to recover from the
COVID-19 pandemic, as well as their implications for external debt sustainability
and development;
85. Recognize the continuing need to promote global growth that produces sustainable

benefits for reducing poverty;
86. Reaffirm that there is an urgent need to create an environment at the national andinternational levels that is conducive to the attainment of full and productive
employment and decent work for all as a foundation for sustainable development,
and that an environment that supports investment, growth and entrepreneurship isessential to the creation of new job opportunities, and also reaffirm that opportunities
for men and women to obtain productive work in conditions of freedom, equity,
security and human dignity are essential to ensuring the eradication of hunger andpoverty, the improvement of economic and social well-being for all, the achievementof sustained economic growth and sustainable development of all nations and a fully
inclusive and equitable globalization;
87. Call upon partners and international financial institutions to support developing

countries, namely those most vulnerable to external shocks, such as LDCs, SIDS
and MIC, in line with their national priorities and strategies, in achieving their socialand economic development by, inter alia, providing debt relief, concessionary aid
and grants to support national efforts to enhance fiscal space, and should not impose
onerous conditionalities that restrict the policy space of national Governments;
88. Express firm support towards the international recognition of the specificities of

Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and, in this context, welcome the adoption
and implementation of an universal Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI) forthe purpose, inter alia, of facilitating access to development funding in concessionalterms;
89. Urge for the abolition of unfair trade practices, in particular in agriculture, andexpress their desire for a more just and fair global trading system for the benefit andwelfare of the peoples of the Zone;
90. Acknowledge the potential for trade within the Zone, recognize the need to improvelines of communication and transportation, and express their intention to foster
economic and commercial exchanges as well as the role of the private sector andcivil society, and agree to actively support all efforts to intensify businesscooperation as well as other activities geared towards increasing trade, investment
and improving capital flows among Member States of the Zone;
91. Stress that South-South Cooperation is based on solidarity and could be a useful toolfor Member States to face the challenges of development and promote economic andsocial progress. In this regard, emphasize the wide opportunities for cooperation
14

between Member States in the exchange and strengthening of technical capacities inareas yet identified and prioritized, such as the mapping and exploration of the Area
in the framework of the International Seabed Authority, environmental cooperation,
cooperation in the area of air and maritime transportation, maritime safety andsecurity, port security, oceanographic research, cooperation between cities andbetween universities, in the area of information and communication technologies,
inter alia;
92. Underline the importance of enhancing scientific and technical cooperation in theprioritized areas of interest and call for the consideration of further proposals forjoint actions;93. Emphasize the clear need to intensify and diversify connectivity between the

countries of the Zone, in terms of air and maritime transport and reiterate thatsynergies must be identified in order to strengthen cooperation, taking into accountthat the economic enablement of air and maritime connections will demand longterm efforts, and to this end, encourage the consideration of additional initiatives inorder to make the connectivity between the two shores of the South Atlantic
economically viable;
94. Emphasize that Member States could benefit from the exchange of experiences in

the area of seaport efficiency, and to this end, encourage the Zone members tointensify dialogue on such policies, to disseminate good practices and to shareexperiences gained in implementing projects to improve efficiency in the
management and competitiveness of seaports;
95. Underline the need for exchange of information on successful national experiences

and lessons learnt, as well as for technology transfer and facilitated access toscientific knowledge in order to foster South-South cooperation in, among others,
the areas of Clean Fuels and Environmentally Friendly Energy/Biofuel, Agriculturaland Livestock Production, Human Resource Development, Cancer, HIV/AIDS,
Malaria, Tuberculosis and Ebola, Biotechnology, Education, Infrastructure
Development, Communication Technology, Marine Scientific Research andFisheries Control and Surveillance;
96. Acknowledge the contribution of Space technology and its applications in theachievement of sustainable development, in particular in areas of relevance to theZone, such as climate change, disaster management, oceans monitoring, protectionof marine resources, and search and rescue activities. Reaffirm the importance of
exchange of information and the need to increase cooperation on this topic.
97. Acknowledge the cultural linkages between Africa and South America, and in thisregard, encourage the enhancement of cultural cooperation bearing in mind thesignificance of the African Diaspora in South American countries. Encourage also15

greater exchanges among their respective civil society, including among nongovernmental organizations related to youth, women, sports, among others;
98. Commend the decision of the African Union declaring 2021-2031 “Decade of

African Roots an Diasporas” and express our commitment to collaborate to increase
cultural exchanges within the Zone, taking into consideration the objectives of theDecade;99. Emphasize the role of regional and sub-regional integration in improving

international competitiveness of national economies and contributing to theirdevelopment, and recognize the importance of coordination with regional and subregional organizations within the space of the Zone, such as MERCOSUR, theUnion of South American Nations (UNASUR), the Community of Latin American
and Caribbean States (CELAC), the African Union (AU), the Economic Communityof West African States (ECOWAS), the Southern Africa Development Community(SADC), the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) and theCentral African Economic and Monetary Community (CAEMC). In this regard,
express the importance of the Preferential Trade Agreement between the Common
Market of the South (MERCOSUR) and the Southern African Customs Union(SACU), aimed at enhancing economic cooperation and trade between both regions;Sustainable Development and Climate Change
100. Acknowledges with concern the negative impacts of the escalating global poli-crises

accelerated by the war in Ukraine on the overall implementation of the 2030 Agenda,
recognizing that scaling up climate action and eradicating poverty in all their forms
and dimensions are the greatest global challenges and an indispensable requirement
for sustainable development.
101. Welcome the launching in July 2019 of the African Continental Free Trade Area

(AfCFTA), the world’s largest free trade area, as well as the beginning of it’s
implementation in January 1, 2021, which represent bold steps towards achieving asingle market on the continent;
102. Affirm our collective commitment to multilateralism as reflected inter alia in the

UN Charter, in the declaration adopted at the high level event to mark the UN’s 75th
anniversary, in September 2020,and in “Our Common Agenda”, in 2021, by the
Secretary General;
103. Remain convinced that consensual decisions achieved through multilateralism are

the best foundation for progress in the collective endeavors to achieve sustainable
development. In this context, urge for an inclusive and people-centered development
agenda, having poverty eradication as its primary goal;

16104. Acknowledge the crucial importance of sustainable development throughout civilsociety and particularly among the youth and that it will have a lasting impact not
only on discussions on sustainable development, but also in the way individuals,
businesses and Governments understand and act on economic, social andenvironmental issues;105. Stress the need for the United Nations to play a fundamental role in the promotionof international cooperation for development and the coherence, coordination andimplementation of internationally agreed development goals, including the
Sustainable Development Goals/SDG, and actions agreed upon by the international
community;
106. Agree on the need to attach priority to the fight against hunger and poverty andemphasize the need for the international community to fulfill previously agreed
funding to the UN Development Agenda with special focus on the SDG, as well as
to promote innovative sources of additional funding on a sustainable basis to enable
the fulfillment of the internationally agreed development goals;
107. Express concern that, despite important progress, most developing countries are noton track to achieve the SDGs, and in this regard emphasize that concerted efforts
and continued support are required to fulfill the commitments and to address their
special needs;
108. Emphasize the need for the international community to fully implement the global

partnership for sustainable development;
109. Take note of the report «Our Common Agenda», an agenda of action, designed tostrengthen and accelerate multilateral agreements – particularly the 2030 Agenda –and make a tangible difference in people’s lives, presenting the Secretary-General'svision on the future of global cooperation through an inclusive, networked, andeffective multilateralism and containing recommendations across 4 broad areas forrenewed solidarity between peoples and future generations, a new social contract
anchored in human rights, better management of critical global commons, and global
public goods that deliver equitably and sustainably for all;110. Highlight the need to strengthen the means of its implementation such as finance,technology, capacity building and trade, as well as the need to enhance systemic
issues and the revitalization of the global partnership for the full implementation of
the 2030 Agenda;
111. Underscore the need to ensure the monitoring and follow-up processes of theimplementation of sustainable development commitments at national, regional andinternational levels. In this regard, recognize the High-Level Political Forum on
Sustainable Development as the key follow-up mechanism to the internationallyagreed goals and commitments on sustainable development;17112. Reaffirm that climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time to whichdeveloping countries, and SIDS in particular, are most vulnerable, reiterate our callfor urgent global action and cooperation for an effective global and regional response
to fight against the negative effects of climate change and stress the importance ofthe full implementation of commitments under the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its instruments, including the Paris
Agreement, with a view to ambitious climate action that help keep the global
temperature increase below 1.5 degrees Celsius, on the basis of equity and inaccordance with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities andrespective capabilities, in the light of different national circumstances;
113. Highlight the importance that developed countries honor their unfulfilled financeobligations to mobilize USD 100 billion per year by 2020 to address the needs ofclimate action in developing countries. They further recognized that the newcollective quantified goal on climate finance from developed countries must go wellbeyond the floor of USD 100 billion per year to provide developing countries with
the necessary funding to address adaptation and mitigation gaps;
114. Reiterate their determination to contribute to the successful conclusion of the first

Global Stocktake (GST) of the Paris Agreement at COP28, in Dubai, later this year,
which, as the main mechanism for ratcheting up ambition on all aspects of the Paris
Agreement under the UNFCCC, must be effective in identifying implementation
gaps within the regime, whilst prospectively laying the foundations for the forwardlooking aspects on how to fulfil outstanding gaps in means of implementation fordeveloping countries;
115. Welcome the Brazilian candidacy to host COP30, as the 2025 summit will be key tothe very future of the global response to climate change;
116. Stress the importance of enhancing cooperation in the implementation of theConvention on Biological Diversity and its Protocols and other multilateralenvironmental agreements and initiatives, including but not limited to biodiversityrelated conventions and agreements, chemicals and waste conventions, and the Rio
conventions, at the global, regional, subregional, national and subnational levels, ina manner respectful of their respective mandates;
117. Emphasize the importance of cooperation among all relevant conventions,organizations and initiatives to achieve the three objectives of the Convention andto implement and monitor progress in the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal
Global Biodiversity Framework in an effective and timely manner in order toachieve its targets, goals, 2030 mission and 2050 Vision;
118. Reiterate the firm commitment of the Member States of the Zone with the ambitious

outcomes of the processes of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and in this regard,
18

commend the new agreements on Climate Change under the Convention, adopted at
the Conferences of the Parties in Paris, Glasgow and Sharm ‘El-Sheikh, to beconsolidated in Dubai at the 28th COP, December 2023.
Oceans and Marine Resources
119. Underline the relevance of the commitments on oceans and seas taken at the United

Nations, namely at the 1st and the 2nd United Nations Conferences on the
Oceans/UNOC (NY, June 2017 and Lisbon, June 2022, respectively) and, in thisregard, encourage all the Member-States to actively participate in the process
conducive to the 3rd UNOC (France, 2024);
120. Recognize the contribution of the Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to

the strengthening of peace, security, cooperation and friendly relations among all
nations in conformity with the principles of justice and equal rights and to thepromotion of the economic and social advancement of all peoples of the world, in
accordance with the purposes and principles of the United Nations;121. Welcome the new global agreement-BBNJ (Biodiversity in Areas Beyond National

Jurisdiction) concluded on4 March 2023, as an important milestone to provide
stronger protection of marine biodiversity in the High Seas.
122. Acknowledge that the conservation and sustainable use of marine genetic resourcesof areas beyond national jurisdiction, considered as common heritage of humankind
in the BBNJ Agreement, presents an opportunity for cooperation among the Member
States of the Zone. In this regard, the Members States of the Zone recall the need forstrengthening capacity-building and access to marine technology, enhanced
international cooperation and sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of theseresources, in particular for developing countries, in the framework of the BBNJ
Agreement;
123. Welcome the First Session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-

1) to develop an internationally legally binding instrument on plastic pollution in themarine environment that took place in Punta del Este, Uruguay from 28 November
to 2 December 2022, with an ambition of completing it by the end of 2024.
Transnational crime124. Express concern at the threat that piracy and armed robbery at sea in the Gulf ofGuinea pose to the international navigation, maritime security and economic
development of States in the region, recognize the leadership role that the States in
the Zone are playing and the need for continued regional coordination of efforts tocounter activities of piracy and armed robbery at sea;19

125. In this regard, welcome the holding of the Heads of State and Government of the

Gulf of Guinea Summit on maritime safety and security that took place in Yaoundé,
Cameroon on 24 and 25 June 2013, which adopted the Code of Conduct concerning
the Prevention and Repression of Piracy, Armed Robbery against Ships, and Illegal
Maritime Activities in West and Central Africa, and recall the provisions of Security
Council Presidential Statement SC/PRST/ 2013/ Naval Exercise “Grand African
Hemo 2022” held in October, 2022;
126. Urge international partners to assist States and organizations of the region for theenhancement of their capabilities to counter piracy and armed robbery at sea in the
Gulf of Guinea, including their capacity to conduct regional patrols, to establish andmaintain joint coordination centers and joint information-sharing centers, and for theeffective implementation of the regional strategy;
127. Concerned with the damage being done to economic development efforts anddestruction of essential infrastructure, urge support for multilateral efforts on thedevelopment of international legislation to track the origin and sale of stolen crude
oil thereof;
128. Express their concern regarding the illicit traffic of drugs and psychotropic

substances as well as transnational organized crime and agree that high priority mustbe given to combating these problems, as they represent a threat to the public
security and development of Member States and to the well-being of their peoples;
129. Recognize that transnational organized crime, human trafficking, particularly of

women and children, money laundering, terrorism financing and proliferation ofcorruption, piracy, drug trafficking, illicit trade in small arms and light weapons areinterrelated, and emphasize the need for comprehensive and integrated strategies
within the Zone to effectively combat these scourges, and in this regard further
emphasize that the implementation of national policies and strategies must becomplemented by regional and international agreements, including among theMember States of the Zone;
130. Recall the 1996 Decision of the Zone on Drug Trafficking adopted by the Fourth

Ministerial Meeting and stress the need for cooperation among origin, transit anddestination countries in combating illicit arms and drugs, as well as in reinforcing
border security and control, taking into account the principle of common and shared
responsibility;
131. Reiterate the commitment in deepening cooperation and articulation of Member

States joint actions facing world drug problem;
132. Stress the importance in advancing towards that objective in the framework of an

integral approach, considering the reduction of supply and demand in a balanced

20

manner, under the principle of common and shared responsibility, the respect ofhuman rights and international law;133. Urge States that have not done so to become parties to the United Nations

Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its three supplementary
protocols;
1.

To prevent, suppress, and punish trafficking of humans;

2. To prevent the smuggling of migrants by land, air, and sea;
3. To stop the illicit manufacturing of and trafficking of and trafficking infirearms, their parts and components, and ammunition.

Final provisions
134. Express gratitude to Brazil, Nigeria, South Africa, the Argentine Republic, Angola

for their valuable work as previous coordinators of the Zone from 1998 to 2012;135. Commend the Government of Uruguay for its valuable work as coordinator since

January 2013 and for its contribution to the preparations of this meeting, and agree
to continue to implement the follow-up mechanism under the joint leadership of thecurrent and former Chairs of the Zone, as well as the Chair of the subsequent
Ministerial Meeting;136. Express gratitude and appreciation to the Government and the People of Cabo Verdefor their warm hospitality and generosity and the excellent arrangements made forthe holding of this Meeting;137. Agree to strive to hold its Ministerial Meeting on a biennial basis with the supportof the UN Secretariat;
138. Stress the importance to continue to convene with the support of the UN Secretariat,

annual meetings of the Zone at the margins of the General Debate of the United
Nations General Assembly (UNGA), to review progress made and agree on further
actions aimed at promoting the objectives of the Zone, including through thesubmission of Draft UNGA Resolutions;139. Welcome with appreciation the offer by the Government of Brazil to host the Ninth

Ministerial Meeting of the Zone;
140. Agree to adopt the annexed Plan of Action and request the current Chair to create

the necessary conditions, including institutional ones, for its implementation.

21

141. Request the Chair of the Zone to transmit the present Declaration and Plan of Action

to the UN Secretary General for Appropriate Action.
Issued in Mindelo on April 18th2023

22