Several Portuguese-speaking nations have signed a landmark agreement to protect marine ecosystems in the South Atlantic, reinforcing cooperation and environmental sustainability in the region.
The convention was signed by Brazil, Cape Verde, Equatorial Guinea and São Tomé and Príncipe, alongside the Republic of the Congo, during a ministerial meeting of the Zone of Peace and Cooperation of the South Atlantic (ZOPACAS) held in Rio de Janeiro.
The newly signed Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment in the South Atlantic commits member states to safeguarding marine ecosystems within their jurisdictions and cooperating beyond national waters. It also emphasizes tackling illegal fishing, promoting sustainable management of marine resources, and investing in environmental education and ocean awareness.
At the same time, the agreement reaffirms the countries’ sovereign right to explore natural resources within their territories.
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Beyond environmental goals, the 24 member states of ZOPACAS stressed the importance of maintaining the South Atlantic as a zone of peace amid rising global geopolitical tensions. In their final declaration, they warned of risks posed by rivalries between major powers and called for the region to remain free from external disputes and militarization.
“We reaffirm our commitment to consolidating the South Atlantic as a Zone of Peace and Cooperation, free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction,” the Rio de Janeiro Declaration states.
Brazil’s Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira highlighted the country’s commitment to regional stability, noting that President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva had entrusted him with the responsibility of ensuring the ocean does not become a stage for geopolitical conflict.
Vieira also pointed to the broader global context, citing rising armed conflicts—including those in Ukraine and the Middle East—which are impacting energy and food prices, particularly in developing nations.
The meeting marked the 40th anniversary of ZOPACAS, established in 1986 through a United Nations resolution to promote peace, security, and cooperation between South America and West Africa.
