Portugal and the World Bank have signed a technical cooperation memorandum whose primary aim is to mobilise Portuguese experts for technical assistance actions in Portuguese-language African countries (PALOPs) and in Timor-Leste, according to the Lisbon-based Camões – Institute for Cooperation and Language.
“This memorandum will allow national experts to be mobilised for Bank technical assistance projects in partner countries, especially Portuguese-speaking ones, in four areas of intervention with strategic value for both parties: water and sanitation, environment, e-government and blue economy,” reads a note published on the Camões website.
The document adds that “the maritime economy aspect includes ocean literacy, ocean science, sustainable aquaculture, blue digitalisation, blue innovation, cluster strategy and port digitalisation.”
The memorandum was signed last Thursday by Portugal’s secretary of state for foreign affairs and cooperation, Francisco André, the president of the Camões institute, João Ribeiro de Almeida, and the World Bank’s Jacob Kopperud and Penelope Lewis, from the institution’s offices in Paris and Rome, respectively.
According to the statement issued on behalf of Portugal and the World Bank, the document marks “the deepening of their joint agenda for the development of partner countries in the Global South.
“This is the first initiative of its kind carried out with the World Bank and will help to boost Portuguese cooperation with its strategic partners, particularly Portuguese-language African countries and Timor-Leste,” it adds.
Lusa
