Marine Protection: São Tomé and Príncipe has officially designated its first two marine protected areas off its coast—Ilhéu das Rolas–Malanza–Jalé and Santana—setting no-take zones and limiting industrial fishing to protect mangroves, reefs, turtles and seabirds. EU Election Watch: The EU will deploy an Electoral Observation Mission for São Tomé and Príncipe’s 2026 presidential elections (July 19) and legislative/local/regional elections (Sept. 27), led by MEP Sérgio Humberto, with analysts already arriving in mid-June. Innovation & Patents: The European Patent Organisation’s president visited Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe to strengthen cooperation on innovation, technology transfer and patent protection, including an Angola validation agreement. Finance Appointments: Afreximbank appointed Peter Adeshola Olowononi as Director of Regional Operations for Southern Africa, with prior experience covering São Tomé and Príncipe in West Africa client relations. Cultural Links: China-Portuguese-speaking countries cultural events continued at Senado Square, featuring performances from São Tomé and Príncipe and other Lusophone nations. Conservation Story: A Príncipe former sea turtle poacher, Manuel Gomes (“Lindo”), is now helping protect nesting sites and pushing community-led conservation tied to the new marine protections.