Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva of Cabo Verde delivered a significant address at the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York, focusing on the urgent need for climate action, global peace, and sustainable development. He particularly highlighted the vulnerabilities faced by Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the face of the climate crisis.
In his speech, Prime Minister Correia e Silva emphasized that limiting global warming to 1.5°C is a matter of survival for the planet. He called for increased climate ambition and greater support for SIDS, which are disproportionately impacted by climate change despite contributing minimally to global emissions. These nations are on the front lines, experiencing more frequent and intense extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and threats to their infrastructure and livelihoods. Between 1970 and 2020, SIDS collectively lost an estimated US$153 billion due to weather extremes, a substantial figure relative to their economies.
The Prime Minister pointed to the upcoming COP30 conference in Belém, Brazil, scheduled for November 10-21, 2025, as a critical juncture for the full implementation of the Paris Agreement and for translating climate ambitions into concrete, equitable actions. He stressed the necessity of clear commitments from all nations, especially major emitters, to achieve the 1.5°C target.
Beyond climate concerns, Correia e Silva addressed global peace and security, underscoring the vital role of multilateralism and the United Nations in navigating a world increasingly affected by conflicts, humanitarian crises, and extremism. He reiterated Cabo Verde's firm stance against coups, terrorism, and violations of territorial integrity, advocating for dialogue and diplomacy as primary tools for conflict prevention and resolution. He specifically reaffirmed Cabo Verde's support for a just resolution to the war in Ukraine and for the two-state solution for Israel and Palestine, while also calling for a robust commitment to combating terrorism and conflicts in Africa.
The Prime Minister's address also touched upon other crucial areas, including ocean protection, the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), human dignity, gender equality, digitalization, and development financing. He concluded with a message of hope, asserting that collective action can lead to a future characterized by greater peace, development, and respect for human rights, honoring the UN's 80 years of existence. The 80th UN General Assembly serves as a significant platform for these discussions, particularly as the world confronts interconnected challenges that demand unified global responses.