More than 99% of Cabo Verde’s territory is ocean. Around 70% of the water we drink comes from the sea. Nearly 55% of the protein we consume is of marine origin. And the impacts of climate change are already being felt in our waters.

It was in this context that the eighth edition of Cabo Verde Ocean Week took place from November 2 to 7 in the city of Mindelo, on the island of São Vicente. This national and international gathering brought together experts, decision-makers, researchers, and communities to discuss the blue economy, marine sustainability, and climate action.

Panels and Key Moments of Ocean Week

Panel IV – National and International Cooperation for the Protection and Fair Sharing of Marine Resources
This panel discussed the High Seas Treaty (BBNJ), sustainable fishing, combating illegal fishing, and transparency systems. A highlight was the presentation of the Climate Resilience Bioindicators project, which drew great interest due to its scientific and community relevance.

Panel V – Training, Technology, and Digital Innovation
Moderated by Inês Mourão, Technical Coordinator of the Climate Action Programme, this panel emphasized the importance of professional capacity building and technological innovation for the blue economy, including initiatives such as the Master’s in Blue and Circular Economy.

Panel VI – Stock Assessment: Methodologies and Challenges
This session presented methodologies for sustainable fisheries management and reinforced the need for regional scientific cooperation.

Participation of the Climate Action Programme
The Climate Action Programme was present with its partners, colleagues, and friends to showcase two flagship projects:

• Climate Resilience Bioindicators, which uses marine organisms to assess the climate health of coastal areas;
• Mosteiros Resilient, an initiative promoting sustainable fishing and valuing marine resources while directly involving local communities.

Additionally, we had the honor of moderating Panel V – Training, Technology, and Digital Innovation: The Role of the Ocean Campus in Integrated Capacity Building for the Maritime Sector, which brought together national and international voices to reflect on how technical and higher education, technological innovation, and digitalization can transform Cabo Verde’s blue economy.

Moreover, the team took the opportunity to hold meetings with ENAPOR and IMar, discussing projects such as Protection Against Landslides in Furna and the integration of the Climate House at the Maritime Terminal, aiming to strengthen coastal resilience, promote climate literacy, and advance the aforementioned projects.

Cabo Verde is ocean. Transforming this resource into knowledge, innovation, and sustainable development is essential to ensure a resilient future. Events like Ocean Week reinforce the integration of science, technology, and communities, positioning Cabo Verde as a reference in ocean governance and climate diplomacy.

Together, we can explore how to turn our greatest resource—the sea—into solutions for climate action.