Maria de Fátima Lima da Veiga became ambassador of Cape Verde to the United States on August 16, 2007. Veiga studied Anglo-American civilization and language at the Université d’Aix-ex-Provence in France and received post-university training in development and diplomacy at the German Foundation in Berlin, as well as training in Praia by the Foreign Affairs Ministry in cooperation with the UN Institute for Training and Research and the Rio Branco Institute of Brazil. She speaks Portuguese, English, French and Spanish.

 

Lima da Veiga began her public service career after joining the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1980. She was chief of staff of the Office of the Minister for Foreign Affairs (1995-99) and ambassador to Cuba (1999-2001).

 

Lina da Veiga also served as secretary of state for foreign affairs (2001-02), minister for foreign affairs, cooperation and communities of Cape Verde (2002-04), and Cape Verde’s permanent representative to the United Nations in New York (2004-07).

 

Lima da Veiga has also held positions in the National Commission of the Interstate Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel; National Commission of La Francophonie; the Network of Women Ministers and Parliamentarians; and vice chair and acting chair of the Alliance of Small Island Developing States (OASIS) in New York.

 

Bio (United Nations)