Brazil Assumes ZOPACAS Presidency from Cape Verde
Cape Verde has officially handed over the presidency of the South Atlantic Peace and Cooperation Zone (ZOPACAS) to Brazil. The transition took place during the 9th Ministerial Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, marking the start of Brazil’s leadership for the 2026–2028 biennium.
Strengthening Transatlantic Ties
The Cape Verdean government, which held the pro tempore presidency since 2023, stated that this week’s high-level summit serves as a vital platform for political dialogue. Led by Foreign Minister José Luís Livramento de Brito, the Cape Verdean delegation highlighted that the forum aligns with national priorities, including maritime security, environmental sustainability, and scientific diplomacy.
A key milestone of the meeting is the opening of the Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the South Atlantic for signing. Member states are also expected to ratify the Rio de Janeiro Ministerial Declaration and the Rio de Janeiro Cooperation Strategy. These documents serve as a roadmap for technical cooperation, ocean governance, and regional security across the South Atlantic.
A Coalition Across Two Continents
ZOPACAS is a unique intercontinental organization comprising 24 countries: three in South America (Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay) and 21 in Africa. The group includes several Portuguese-speaking nations, such as Angola, Guinea-Bissau, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Cape Verde.
The organization was founded in 1986 under a United Nations resolution spearheaded by Brazil and Argentina. Its mission is to maintain the South Atlantic as a zone of peace and cooperation, specifically focusing on economic development, environmental conservation, and the total non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
Brazil Takes the Helm
This marks the third time Brazil has hosted a ministerial meeting for the organization, following previous summits in Rio de Janeiro (1988) and Brasília (1994). Over the decades, the forum has rotated through major regional hubs, including Abuja, Luanda, and Montevideo, to maintain momentum for South-South cooperation.
Under its new two-year mandate, Brazil is expected to drive a joint approach to socioeconomic development and bolster regional integration between the South American and West African coasts.
Image: Pexels – Isac Aguiar
