As part of the World Bank’s mission to evaluate the National Environmental and Social Risk Management System, a meeting was held on Monday afternoon, 23rd, with the Special Projects Management Unit (UGPE) to discuss the results of the World Bank’s evaluation of the National Environmental and Social Risk Management System and to listen to local needs and proposals to be included in the action plan for the use of the national environmental and social management system, with a view to optimizing the implementation of projects financed by the World Bank.
Among the topics discussed were the national laws and procedures that meet the World Bank’s environmental and social safeguards requirements, the areas where improvements are needed and a set of technical solutions to ensure the effectiveness of projects under the management of the UGPE. Challenges and opportunities to strengthen Cape Verde’s institutional capacity to manage environmental and social risks were also discussed.
The UGPE was represented by the Coordinator, Nuno Gomes, the environmental specialist, Neiva Centeio, and the social specialist, Ermelinda Lima.
During his speech, Nuno Gomes stressed that the aim of the meeting with the World Bank was to identify practical solutions to strengthen the national environmental and social risk management system, ensuring that the projects financed by the Bank are carried out efficiently and sustainably.
For its part, the World Bank team in Cape Verde emphasized the importance of aligning the national system with the institution’s Environmental and Social Standards in some areas and presented some recommendations and proposals for improvement. They thus reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to providing the necessary technical support to help Cape Verde improve the management of its projects, highlighting the commitment to continue collaborating to promote more solid and sustainable practices, with direct benefits for local communities and the environment.