The Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP) and AKDN Sign Protocol of Co-operation

Luanda, Angola (PR), 21 July 2010 - The Executive Secretary of the CPLP, Mr Domingos Simões Pereira, and the AKDN Representative for Portugal and Mozambique, Mr Nazim Ahmad, signed today a Protocol of Co-operation during the Eighth Conference of Heads of State and Government of the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP). The conference theme was Solidarity in Diversity. The conference was held during the Portuguese presidency of the CPLP.

The protocol was signed after obtaining the unanimous consent of all eight CPLP member states through their Foreign Ministers.

The objective of the protocol is to promote mutual co-operation between the parties in various fields related to improving the quality of life of underprivileged populations in all CPLP countries, in particular in those countries in which the AKDN is already established, notably Mozambique. Mutual co-operation consists of the establishment of joint initiatives, projects and events, logistical, institutional and financial support, sharing of information, knowledge transfer and the exchange of experiences and/or co-operation in any other activities of common interest for both parties.

The Minister of State and Foreign Affairs of the Portuguese Republic, Mr Luís Amado, together with the Ambassadors of all member states, attended the signing ceremony of the protocol.

During the signing ceremony of the protocol, the Executive Secretary of the CPLP, Mr Domingos Simões Pereira, expressed “confidence on a wider and stronger intervention with AKDN and the certainty that this tool will serve both organizations”. He further stated that “this act confirms the principles which are those of our organisations” and requested that the Ambassadors of all member states give their “support to implement this partnership.”

AKDN Representative, Mr Nazim Ahmad, reiterated the objective of the protocol, “which is to promote mutual co-operation between the parties in the various fields relating to the improvement of the quality of life of underprivileged populations in CPLP countries” and expressed confidence that “through the celebration of this protocol we will boost even more the importance we are giving to the lusophone area.”

The CPLP was established in 1996 as a privileged multilateral forum for the strengthening of mutual friendship and co-operation among its members. The CPLP is an international organisation with eight member states which have Portuguese as their official language: Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, East Timor, Guinea Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal, São Tomé and Príncipe. In addition to these member states, the CPLP has three associated observers: Equatorial Guinea, Mauritius and Senegal. The Portuguese language is spoken by over 250 million people in the world. The VIII Conference of Heads of State and Government of the CPLP takes place under the theme Solidarity in Diversity and marks the passage of the pro tempore presidency of the CPLP from Portugal to Angola.

His Highness the Aga Khan is the founder and Chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), a group of private, non-denominational development agencies. The AKDN works to empower communities and individuals to improve their living conditions and opportunities, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, Central and South Asia, and the Middle East. The Network’s nine development agencies focus on social, cultural and economic development for all citizens, regardless of gender, origin or religion. The AKDN’s underlying ethic is compassion for the more vulnerable in society. The AKDN is active in two lusophone countries: in Portugal since 1983 and in Mozambique since 1998.

For more information, please visit: 

www.akdn.org for information on the Aga Khan Development Network