Summary

SAI Cabo Verde conducted a performance audit* of the state policy on protected areas (PAs) in achieving targets for the protection of terrestrial, inland water, coastal and marine areas. The audit coverage period was from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2022. Audit results showed that the targets were partially achieved. Auditors found that some PAs lacked their own administrative centers, management plans and planning tools for monitoring and combating environmental emergencies, as well as material resources for these purposes. SAI noted shortage of technical specialists; absence of a budget detailed for each protected area; inconsistencies in geographical delineation of PAs; lack of dedicated research support structures in most PAs; low level of participation of local communities in decision-making on improving protected area management and sustainable use of natural resources. SAI recommended adjusting boundaries of PAs, updating management plans, continuing to recruit more security guards at checkpoints, introducing technological protection measures, providing faster and more transparent access to accounting data by creating cost centers for each protected area, and providing PAs with the ability to generate financial resources and implement tools that will enable them to generate their own income. _________________________________ * The activity is part of a coordinated international audit led by the Brazil Federal Court of Accounts and conducted in accordance with the Strategic Plan 2017–2022 of the SAIs of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries.