  
  
WT/MIN(24)/ST/109  
26 February  2024 
(24-1661) Page: 1/1 
Ministerial Conference  
Thirteenth Session  
Abu Dhabi, 26 -29 February 2024  Original:  French  
 
  
STATEMENT BY H.E. MR ALEXANDRE DIAS MONTEIRO  
MINISTER OF INDUSTRY, TRADE AND ENERGY  
CABO VERDE 
Cabo Verde is a small island State, with an economy highly dependent on tourism. Like all small 
island developing States  (SIDS), it is highly vulnerable to climate change, as well as economic and 
health -related  shocks. For that reason, Cabo  Verde has made economic diversification one of its 
priorities to build resilience.  
 
Cabo Verde recognizes the importance of trade and environmental sustainability, and remains 
committed to promoting a broader and conscious understanding of trade policies and practices. To 
this end, Cabo  Verde is open to working with its WTO partners. We are pinning our hope s on a WTO 
that is responsive to global challenges that warrant the engagement of all. A WTO that remains true 
to its core mission of promoting trade liberalization. A  WTO that serves as an effective vehicle to 
support the development aspirations of all Members, and a WTO that works productively to resolve 
disputes between Members.  
 
We also want our citizens to benefit from a greater integration into regional and globa l chains through 
a diversified, sustainable and innovative industrial economy. Moreover, we support the joint initiative 
on e-commerce , and reaffirm our support for joint actions on investment facilitation for development,  
and on  trade and gender. We recog nize the WTO as the appropriate forum to address and regulate 
issues related to the dynamic and ever -evolving nature of international trade.  
 
As the ocean makes up 99% of Cabo Verde's territory, marine resources play a crucial role in the 
country's socio-economic life. We recognize the strategic importance of the ocean economy for our 
country's economic diversification and sustainable developmen t. Cabo  Verde remains committed to 
prohibiting certain forms of fisheries subsidies that contribute to overcapaci ty and overfishing, thus 
seeking to guarantee the preservation of our marine resources.  
 
It is clear that protecting the marine ecosystem requires coordinated, global action. Cabo  Verde 
maintains that the outcomes of the negotiations must be reflected in appropriate and effective 
mandates. Our country emphasizes the importance of special and differential treatment, including 
exemptions from stringent and onerous transparency and notification requirements. We are of the 
view that this approach is key to ens uring that developing countries like ours can participate fully in 
global initiatives to protect the oceans, without being burdened by disproportionate requirements.  
 
Moreover, Cabo Verde is firmly committed to promoting international partnerships aimed a t the 
conservation and sustainable use of marine resources. We believe that only through collaborative 
efforts can we  meet the environmental and economic challenges affecting our oceans. We will 
therefore continue to work in close collaboration  with other countries and international organizations 
to ensure a prosperous and sustainable future for generations to come.  
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