Cabo Verde will host the 5th Ocean Decade Conference on 23 and 24 July 2026, on the island of Boa Vista, under the High Patronage of His Excellency the President of the Republic, José Maria Neves, in his capacity as Patron of the Ocean Decade Alliance.
In a global context where the ocean plays a central role in the planet’s sustainability, this Conference reaffirms Cabo Verde’s strategic leadership as an archipelagic and maritime State. The nation holds a clear vision to position the blue economy as a primary driver of sustainable development, climate resilience, and social inclusion.
The choice of Boa Vista is particularly significant. As a region of high ecological sensitivity and one of the country’s leading tourism hubs, it provides a vital setting to reflect on the synergy between tourism, coastal conservation, and biodiversity protection. It also serves as a platform to discuss development models specifically tailored to fragile island ecosystems.
The Conference will convene policymakers, experts, international partners, the private sector, and maritime communities. It will also host representatives from Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and organizations including the CPLP, Macaronesia, the African Union, and ECOWAS. Discussions will center on six strategic pillars: maritime governance and policy; sustainable fisheries; blue tourism; ocean science and innovation; blue energy; and blue finance.
Utilizing a hybrid format, the event is expected to host approximately 300 participants. In addition to high-level panels, the program will feature technical workshops, community initiatives, and a dedicated “Blue Youth” space, fostering intergenerational dialogue and the active involvement of new generations.
The Conference will culminate in the adoption of the Boa Vista Declaration, a roadmap providing practical recommendations to accelerate Cabo Verde’s blue transition. This document is closely aligned with the objectives of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030).
Presidency of the Republic of Cabo Verde
Uniting science, policy, and society for the future of our ocean.