Portuguese-speaking countries address youth and sustainability
On Sunday (Aug. 27), President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva participated in the 14th Conference of Heads of State and Government of the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP), held in São Tomé, the capital of São Tomé and Príncipe, an island nation off the west coast of Africa.
During the event, the temporary presidency of the CPLP transitioned from Angola to São Tomé and Príncipe for the 2023-2025 biennium, with a strong emphasis on "Youth and Sustainability" as its central themes.
Regarding the community's main agenda for the next biennium, Lula reaffirmed that sustainability must be worked on in the social, economic, and environmental dimensions. He cited the results of the Amazon Summit, held earlier this month in Brazil, and the presence of many young people engaged in various ways in the fight against climate change. For the Brazilian president, current times are much more complex for young people, as climate change puts the future of the planet in doubt.
"The new generations live with the uncertainty of a changing job market. New technologies are an extraordinary achievement of human intelligence, but with them, unemployment and job insecurity have reached new heights. The irresponsible use of social networks to spread fake news and hate speech threatens democracy. The cult of individualism leads many young people to disbelieve in collective action. These tendencies have been exacerbated by the pandemic, which has alienated children and adolescents from school and social life, further widening inequalities," said Lula.
Carlos Vila Nova, the President of São Tomé and Príncipe, called upon the CPLP member states to engage in a "committed reflection" on youth and take "more assertive measures" to combat climate challenges and create opportunities.
"The younger generations are recognized as catalysts for the changes needed to guarantee a more sustainable future for the planet. This relationship becomes even more relevant when applied to small island states, which face unique challenges due to their environmental vulnerabilities and the presence of a predominantly young population, eager for new opportunities," said the president of São Tomé and Príncipe, Carlos Vila Nova.
Mobility agreement
During the preceding Angolan presidency (2021-2023), the CPLP intensified economic and business cooperation, including the approval of a mobility agreement to facilitate visas and residence permits for citizens across member countries. President Lula affirmed Brazil's commitment to regulating visa issuance for academic, scientific, cultural, and business communities.
Lula also acknowledged the collaborative efforts of CPLP member countries in promoting food and nutrition security, along with the development of family farming and school feeding programs. He reiterated the potential of the African continent to become a formidable “agricultural hub”, with Brazil pledging to continue its support through programs like Mais Alimentos (More Food), which offers small producers access to credit for equipment purchases.
The Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries
The CPLP comprises nine member nations: Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Mozambique, Portugal, São Tomé and Príncipe, and East Timor. Portuguese is also an official language in Macau. Established in 1996, the CPLP fosters integration and cooperation among these countries and facilitates joint action on the global stage. The CPLP collectively represents nearly 300 million consumers across four continents and boasts a GDP of $2.3 trillion.
The CPLP conference marked the conclusion of President Lula's African visit. He began his journey on Monday (21) in South Africa for the 15th BRICS Summit, which comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, and subsequently undertook an official agenda in Angola on Friday (25) and Saturday (26).
