Angola puts forward Fatima Jardim as the potential leader for CPLP's Executive Secretariat.
Maria de Fátima Jardim, Angola's Marine Whiz, Steps Up as CPLP's Next Executive Secretary
Brace yourselves, CPLP peeps, 'cause Maria de Fátima Monteiro Jardim, a heavyweight biologist from Lisbon's Faculty of Sciences, is set to kick some major diplomatic goals! Known as Fátima Jardim, she's been nominated to lead the executive secretariat of this multilingual community - a massive role that involves overseeing the implementation of strategies and representing the organization internationally[1].
This nomination comes straight fromangola, her home stomping ground, who sees her as the perfect fit for the top administrative position within the international organization[1].
The nitty-gritty details? Fátima has been making waves in the realms of marine ecology, oceanography, and fisheries for years. Her background and professional experience? Top-notch[1].
She’s served as Minister of Fisheries, Environment, and even the Environment for her home country, and represented Angola at the COP 21 Climate Change Conference[1]. From 2003 to 2008, she was a deputy in Angola's National Assembly, and until March of this year, she represented Angola as its ambassador to Italy[1].
So, what exactly is the Executive Secretariat? It's the CPLP's main executive body[1]. It's responsible for implementing the decisions made by the Conference of Heads of State and Government, ministerial meetings, and other community events[1]. It also plans and carries out the organization's programs, organizes and participates in meetings, and monitors the implementation of initiatives[1].
The Secretary-General role is held by a personality from one of the CPLP member states, and is elected for a two-year term that can be extended by another two years[1]. This year, Angola gets to present its candidate, as the position rotates alphabetically among the nine countries in the CPLP[1].
CPLP, for those not in the know, is an intergovernmental organization that includes Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal, São Tomé and Príncipe, and East Timor[2][3].
Word on the street is, this nomination is all but confirmed, with formal ratification coming up at upcoming CPLP summits or ministerial meetings[1]. So keep your eyes peeled, Fátima Jardim's gonna shake things up! Read Further: CPLP Honors Joaquim Chissano and Maria do Carmo Silveira
[1] Diaz, S. (2023, April 18). Angola Proposes Maria de Fátima Jardim as Next CPLP Executive Secretary. The Diplomat, Retrieved from https://thediplomat.com/2023/04/angola-proposes-maria-de-fatima-jardim-as-next-cplp-executive-secretary/
[2] Sudworth, L. (2012, October 6). Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) History, Facts, and News. , Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/community-of-portuguese-language-countries-4126733
[3] Kastner, P. A. (2006). Encyclopedia of the United Nations and International Agreements: Latin America and the Caribbean. ABC-CLIO, LTD.
[4] Portuguese Language Countries. (n.d.). Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) Executive Secretariat. Retrieved from https://www.cplp.org/pt-pt/executive-secretariat
[5] Community of Portuguese Language Countries. (2021, May 14). Member Countries. Retrieved from https://www.cplp.org/pt-pt/home/paise-membro
- "With Angola's nomination, the focus of general news and policy-and-legislation discussions has shifted towards the possible role of Maria de Fátima Jardim in steering the CPLP's policy direction, given her extensive background in politics."
- "The incoming Executive Secretary of the CPLP, Maria de Fátima Jardim, is expected to have a significant impact on the organization's politics and international representation, bringing her expertise in areas such as marine ecology and fisheries to the forefront."
