Remarks by the Brazilian Permanent Representative, Ambassador Sérgio França Danese, at the Peacebuilding Commission meeting on peace consolidation in São Tomé and Príncipe - January 15th, 2024

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I thank you for convening this significant meeting and providing the opening remarks. I warmly welcome the São Tomé and Príncipe high level delegation, led by its Prime Minister Patrice Trovoada.

I also thank Prime Minister Trovoada, Minister Ilza Amado Vaz, Special Representative Abdou Abarry, Assistant Secretary-General Elizabeth Spehar and all briefers for their comprehensive remarks.

Mr. Chair, dear colleagues,

The similarities that make Brazil and São Tomé and Príncipe sibling countries go beyond the Portuguese we share as our official languages and our colonial past. 

Our societies have faced steep development challenges and have been successful in that endeavor in many instances. Brazil values and commends São Tomé and Príncipe for its projected graduation from the Least Developed Country category later this year.

We also welcome São Tomé and Príncipe’s closer involvement with the Commission. The PBC can indeed be a formidable instrument in helping countries strengthen their institutions and paving their way towards sustainable development in all its dimensions.

We thank the UN Secretariat and the Economic Community of Central African States Commission for highlighting outstanding challenges in the justice and
security sectors that São Tomé and Príncipe must address in order to consolidate peace and strengthen its institutions.

Mr. Chair, colleagues,

The fact that the UN-ECCAS strategic assessment was requested by President Carlos Vila Nova and Prime Minister Patrice Trovoada is very meaningful. We strongly commend them for that significant initiative.

After all, good and sincere political will is central to advancing the rule of law, reforming the security sector, and ultimately sustaining peace and the conditions to move countries forward.

We hope the São Tomé and Príncipe’s government exercise its will to thoroughly consider and implement the recommendations provided in the strategic assessment.

Brazil and São Tomé and Príncipe’s international partners will then be able to better support initiatives that display a high degree of local ownership and foster sustainable peace and thus sustainable development in that friendly and for us brotherly country.

Thank you.