(www.culturereggaeband.com) Photo License: All Rights Reserved
Music. It relaxes. It’s fun. And if the right song is on, it can be highly motivating. Seychellois appreciate a wide variety of musical genres, from world-renowned artists to popular local groups. Keeping with our island spirit, dozens of reggae, dancehall and zouk groups have performed in the islands, wowing local fans and visitors.
Below are some of the groups who have performed in Seychelles. (Music lovers: Be sure not to miss Charly Black when he performs in early May!)
1) Culture
This popular roots reggae band performed in Seychelles in 2005. The band emerged in the 1970s, claiming big success across the world. They even made history by being the first reggae band to feature in Rolling Stone Magazine. Between 1977 and 2008 the band released 30 albums.
(morganheritagemusic.com ) Photo License: All Rights Reserved
2) Morgan Heritage
A band composed of the five offspring of reggae artist Denroy Morgan. The band performed in Seychelles in April 2008. This was part of the band’s Indian Ocean tour. The Jamaican group was formed in 1994 and has made numerous world tours. In Seychelles, many appreciate the 2003 song ‘She’s still loving me.’ This year the group won the Grammy award for ‘Best Reggae Album 2015’ with ‘Strictly Roots.’
This all-female group from Guadeloupe, a French overseas department in the eastern Caribbean sea, has made hits with their soft and sensual zouk music. The Creole- and French-speaking band is popular in Seychelles, especially their debut album ‘Sove Lanmour’ of 1986. The group performed in Seychelles in 1991.
Jamaican artist Busy Signal performed in Seychelles in 2013. The dancehall and reggae artist emerged on the music scene in the early 2000s. He has produced several albums and made numerous reinterpretations of hit songs like ‘Gambler’ of Kenny Rogers. He has also collaborated with artists such as Major Lazer.
( Joe Laurence, Seychelles News Agency) Photo License: CC-BY
5)Awilo Longomba
The former Congolese drummer started singing in 1995 and adopted the soukous style. His second album, ‘Coupe Bibamba,’ in 1998 gave him worldwide recognition. Awilo wowed the Seychellois public with his performance in June 2006. With his album Super-Man in 2008, Awilo received the award for best Soukous Entertainer 2009.
The 29- year old Zambian R&B artist performed in Seychelles in 2015 as the special guest for the Airtel music award ceremony. Her debut album Malozi was released in 2005 and it gave her prominence in her homeland. Mampi gained fame in Seychelles with her song Walilolelela. She also sings reggae and kwaito music.
Other groups and artists who have performed in Seychelles are:
UB40, Eric Donaldson, Lucky Dube, Nkulee Dube, Babylon, Oyaba, Everton Blender, Tanya Stephens, Mango Groove, Kassav and Brenda Fassie.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.The ‘Seychelles Hook and Line fishermen’ label was showcased to the international market during the Brussels Seafood Expo which the Seychelles Fishermen and Boat Owners Association took part in.
It is the first time that Seychelles presents its fisheries products at this premier gathering for the global seafood industry.
The FBOA team highlighted that this involvement would further create opportunities both for Seychellois fishermen and processors. They emphasised the fact that the sustainable ‘Seychelles Hook and Line Fishermen’ label was the basis for further developing locally owned fisheries opportunities.
The stand displayed both whole fish and processed products, all using fish caught by Seychelles hook and line participants. The Seychelles stand at the expo was sponsored by ISPC Seychelles and highlighted the quality of Seychelles’ sustainably fished products by Seychellois artisanal and semi-industrial fishing entrepreneurs. A live kitchen was also set up with ISPC chef Bradley Larue demonstrating preparations of these quality products. The exports of the products for the exhibition were also eased by Indian Ocean Tuna.
This exposition of Seychelles’ sustainable fisheries products also opens the door to new markets in anticipation of a number of Seychellois-led processing projects which are underway.
FBOA members took the opportunity to further brief operators from the hospitality industry in Europe and beyond on their sustainable label.
Finance, Trade and the Blue Economy Minister Jean-Paul Adam also joined the Seychelles delegation on Tuesday April 26 to help promote the efforts of FBOA in line with the country’s blue economy strategy. “Our blue economy approach has generated incredible interest in sustainable marine products from Seychelles. It is clear from participation in this expo, that the ‘Seychelles Hook and Line’ fishermen label brings additional value to our seafood products because it emphasises the roles of our local fishermen while also underlining their focus on sustainable practices,” the minister remarked. “It is clear that sustainably sourced products are a huge opportunity for the empowerment of local fishermen,” Minister Adam added.
This first involvement of Seychelles at the seafood expo was also helped by the various government agencies involved including the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, the Seychelles Fishing Authority and the Seychelles Bureau of Standards in its role as competent authority to certify and evaluate Seychelles’ exports, keeping in mind the standards of its destination markets.
In the budget speech for 2016, Minister Adam had emphasised efforts to better position and market Seychelles’ fisheries products in line with the country’s blue economy strategy.
The FBOA delegation was led by its treasurer Beatty Houareau, representing chairperson Keith Andre, as well as three other members – Jean Claude Hoareau, Paul Morin and William Jacob.
Lapolis in raporte ki Tania Ragain aze 33-an ki reste Union Vale in ganny raporte manke par son manman Marie Antoinette Ragain depi le 25 Avril 2016 ver 10-er bomaten.
Dapre son manman i fer premye fwa ki Tania in absant son lakour sa kantite zour.
Lapolis pe lans lapel avek manm piblik ki konnen kote Tania i ete oubyen ki’n vwar Tania pour pran kontak avek kordgard pli pros oubyen telefonn lapolis lo nimero 4288000.
Seychelles achieved yet another first this month, when two Seychellois AIESEC delegates proudly Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.represented the country at the African Exchange Leadership Development Seminar.
The African Exchange Leadership Development Seminar (AFROXLDS) was held from April 4-13 in Dabou, Côte d’Ivoire.
AIESEC (International Association of Students in Economic and Commercial Sciences) is a global youth network that strives to achieve peace and fulfillment of humankinds’ potential. With its presence in 126 countries, AIESEC empowers young people to better their communities and develop their leadership skills by learning from practical experiences in challenging environments. AIESEC members are given the opportunity to get involved locally and to take part in a variety of cross-cultural exchange programmes that include volunteering, as well as internships abroad.
Having recently registered AIESEC in Seychelles in August 2015, it was a great honor to have Annarose Clarisse, a third year law student at the University of Seychelles, and Raymus Laurence, an Advanced Diploma graduate from the Seychelles Institute of technology, attend the largest AIESEC annual gathering on the African continent. They were accompanied by Sophie Njenga, a determined and motivated Kenyan who has dedicated two years to not only making AIESEC Seychelles a reality but also enabling it to attain international recognition.
This was clearly illustrated through the statement of Anna Saldarriaga, the president of AIESEC International.
“I’m thrilled at Seychelles’ representation at AFROXLDS 2016. You have your national AIESEC president facilitating this conference, as well as two representatives expressing the ideas and potential of AIESEC Seychelles. I am confident that the changes you would like to see in your country can be done through AIESEC and that all the effort you are putting in will be translated into making AIESEC in Seychelles an example to all members,” she said.
AFROXLDS attendees took part in discussions concerning the various programmes being developed and executed in their home country, in order to seek methods of collaborating to align these activities with regional needs. Delegates learned of AIESEC operations and strategies that can be implemented in their local realties to ensure that the entire organisation is working in pursuit of helping the world to meet its sustainable development goals.
Equipped with local souvenirs, books and T-shirts kindly sponsored by Seychelles Investment Board (SIB), Annarose and Raymus were privileged to showcase Seychelles’ food and traditions in the AFROXLDS cultural event, the Global Village.
Those who took part also attended the Youth Speak Forum, another key platform of AIESEC that turns youth opinion into real world. A forum where inspiration and collaboration convert into action. The Youth Speak report will be released in May, representing the opinions of over 160,000 youths around the world who took part in an online survey, including the opinions of numerous Seychellois youths who kindly joined AIESEC in Seychelles through their involvement.
At the forum, attendees were able to express their views and solutions to various organisations, companies and governments in order to help bridge the gap between youth opinion and decision-making processes.
Upon her return, Ms Clarisse said: “It was a truly enlightening experience. We heard inspirational speeches from fellow AIESEC colleagues and had the chance to network with high end officials from the Ministry of Commerce in Ivory Coast, manager of African Development Bank and business representatives from companies like Microsoft.”
Excited as to what impact AIESEC in Seychelles can make, Mr Laurence said: “We should appreciate and seize the numerous opportunities at our disposal. Unlike youth in other countries, we are privileged in that respect and can be active in shaping the reality that we want for ourselves. ”
The AFROXLDS reinforced their passion to work together with fellow AIESEC Seychelles’ members to launch their first educational tutoring project that aims to help Seychellois students perform better academically.
The delegates would like to express their thanks to their supporters Ethiopian Airline, Seychelles National Youth Council (SYNC), Seychelles Investment Board (SIB), SID Group and Sophie Njenga for founding AIESEC in Seychelles, so that it can be available for youths in Seychelles. They are also grateful to Bogar Garcia, vice-president of AIESEC in Seychelles for joining Sophie on this journey.
Alert port security officials have foiled a significant delivery of the controlled drug cannabis after they encountered a fishing boat employee trying to smuggle the drugs from the compound on the evening of April 27.
According to a communiqué from the National Drugs Enforcement Agency (NDEA), the drugs were recovered and handed over to the agency. In follow-up investigations one man was arrested and taken into custody.
The seized drugs weighed approximately 1.7 kilogrammes and will be forensically examined as part of the investigation process.
The NDEA is grateful for the level of cooperation from port and border officials which has resulted in several seizures of illegal drugs in recent times.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.A full scale exercise was organised yesterday at the port area to test the country’s national emergency response plan.
This was organised by the Division of Risk and Disaster Management (DRDM), the Seychelles Port Authority and other partners
The scenario was that a warship caught fire when leaving the port and it drifted back in port and with the Seypec (Seychelles Petroleum Company) fuel tanks close by, this was a major concern for the authorities.
People in the vicinity had to be evacuated and some acted as casualties whom the first responders used to test their plans.
DRDM’s communication officer Regina Prosper said the aim of the exercise was to test the drafted National Integrated Emergency Response Plan and the communication system and for each agency/organisation to seize the opportunity and test its own emergency plan or standard operating procedures.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.“It is the first time that we have held an exercise of this magnitude. The full scale exercise had a number of participants and some only tested for evacuating their building to their assembly points, and some went for the four-hour test with incidents injects being given to them. One thousand people were evacuated in the exercise, which we felt despite certain hiccups was a great achievement,’’ Ms Prosper said after the debriefing at DRDM head office yesterday afternoon.
She added that lessons learned from the exercise were mainly that there is a need to improve on our communication – internally and with each agency.
“The exercise brought insights on existing gaps that we all need to work on and we will further discuss in the exercise evaluation next Thursday. All details of gaps and existing strong points will be discussed further with recommendations for improvement,” she pointed out.
Construction work on a new passenger jetty and terminal with all necessary modern facilities for passengers’ comfort is expected to start next month now that the Seychelles Ports Authority has launched a tender for the R45 million project.
On Wednesday a delegation from the Seychelles Ports Authority (SPA) led by its chief executive, Colonel Andre Ciseau, visited the site on Eve Island Annex opposite the Baie Ste Anne district administration office and next to the cargo port, and unveiled the plan as well as an artist impression of the project which is expected to take a year and a half to complete.
Franky Laporte, SPA project director, said the new jetty and terminal have been designed in such a way to address all the current problems and shortcomings of the existing facilities and cater for all the needs and comfort of passengers.
“The new design provides for very spacious facilities which will resolve the traffic congestion problems, ease passenger movement, traffic flow as well as give easier access to facilities like restaurant, shops, toilets and other services,” Mr Laporte said.
He added that the design has been conceived in consultation with different stakeholders including boat operators.
Tender for the project is expected to close next week. Construction materials for the project including steel sheets piles are being transported on site.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.Farmers are learning to identify the most appropriate forms of the market through a training being organised by the Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture in collaboration with the Seychelles Agricultural Agency.
The two-day training is being held at the Care House training room. The presentations are being done by consultants Gérard Buttond and Bruno Ramamonjisoa.
The Market Analysis for Development (MAD) training aims at the formation of farmers and technical officers for analysis of the present situation and selection of products, selection of markets and modalities of marketing and the development of enterprises’ strategy and business plans for sustainable development.
A Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) mission is currently being hosted in the country as support to the development of appropriate agro-forestry systems.
Among the main objectives of the FAO mission is the promotion of agro forestry technical models adapted to local ecological and socioeconomic capacities aiming at sustainable management of the rural resources.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.A selection of alternative agro forestry practices have previously been proposed by the FAO experts to various categories of farmers in two pilot areas, Val d’Andorre and Praslin, which are specially concerned by the possibilities of agro forestry development.
In addition, forestry technicians and extension agents have also been trained by the project to help local farmers in introducing trees on farms and in communities to regulate agricultural and grazing practices in forests.
While in Seychelles, the FAO experts are conducting this training in MAD and they are visiting various fields around Mahé and Praslin.
Seychelles Agricultural Agency chief executive Mark Naiken said there is a need to analyse the current market situation for agro forestry products by developing ways and means of collecting, packaging, labeling as well as accessing the market.
“There are some farmers who are currently practicing agro-forestry in some forms but find it difficult to market their products and a lot of their valuable products are being wasted. In this case it guarantees that we depend heavily on imports which keep on increasing year after year and these imports have detrimental effects on the environment and on human health,” he said.
As a follow-up to the training, a stakeholders’ workshop will be held at the same venue next Tuesday.
In order to define future employment challenges, the Ministry of Labour and Human Resources Development has brought together employers, employees and trade unions in what it has called a tripartite conference on the future of work.
The conference is among activities organised to mark International Labour Day on May 1.
During the opening ceremony at the International Conference Centre (ICCS) yesterday morning, the labour ministry launched its revised National HIV/AIDS Workplace Policy. The launch of the new policy which coincided with World Safety Day which was celebrated yesterday, took place in the presence of the Minister for Education Macsuzy Mondon and the chairperson of the National HIV/AIDS Council Dr Anne Gedeon.
The two-day conference which ends this morning has been organised with the collaboration of the ILO (International Labour Organisation). Speaking on behalf of the director of the ILO Regional Office Christian Ntsay, Severine Deboos – an employment specialist working for the organisation – has remarked that such dialogues are taking place all over the world with the aim of ensuring inclusive growth and making tripartite dialogue the engine for change.
She has added that it is important for labour partners to think together with a view to better understand the changes in labour processes and to ensure decent work for all. These changes, she says, are driven by technological advances, innovation in robotics, computer power, artificial intelligence, medical sciences, nanotechnology, globalisation and increase in vulnerable employment where women are much more at risk than men.
As a result of the conversation Ms Deboos has concluded, ILO will be in a better position to help governments, employers and workers influence in shaping the world of work they want to see in the future. This will be done through the ‘Future of Work Initiative’ which is also intended to reinforce the organisation’s voice in international governance and to enhance the services it provides to its constituents.
The forum was launched by the Minister for Labour and Human Resources Development Idith Alexander who said Seychelles is pleased to join the ‘Future of Work Initiative’. She added that the country’s involvement upholds the government’s commitment to the ideals of the ILO and depicts its continued dedication towards the progress and future of our workforce.
“The future of our country still depends largely on its workforce. Our strength originates from workers’ unity and fight for better working conditions. For our past generation, the value of work was beyond the income that they received. Work was a fundamental right which gave them dignity and purpose. For that, the government has always played the leading role in promoting and ensuring that worker’ rights are respected,” the labour minister reminded.
She went on to enumerate the different steps taken in order to ensure the proper evolvement of the world of work in Seychelles. These have included active labour market policies, private sector development, productivity studies which have resulted in a five-year strategic plan, a quota system to effectively manage the employment of non-Seychellois workers, support for the most vulnerable groups as well as the recent My First Job scheme.
Looking towards the future, Ms Alexander warned that we cannot talk about work without considering what is happening across the world, where many countries have experienced slow economic growth and slow jobs creation, including youth unemployment, as a result of the 2008 economic crisis. She asked that we consider a future of work that is decent and sustainable and tackle concerns about attitudes towards work, social issues, skills mis-match and requirements of the labour market, the contribution of employment and businesses in climate change, poor human resource management as well as youth unemployment.
Other speakers at the opening ceremony included the secretary general of the Seychelles Federation of Workers’ Union Antoine Robinson and the executive secretary of the Federation of Employers’ Association of Seychelles Michelle Labrosse.
Mr Robinson appealed on workers to work with commitment and discipline and to avoid laziness. He called on employees to give reward to their staff where reward is due and to open their doors to trade unions and workers’ representatives, so that a fruitful workplace dialogue can take place. For people without a job, he asked them to ‘leve al debourye’, meaning take up a permanent, part time or casual job or even create their own business.
On her side, Mrs Labrosse highlighted that the time where employees had to adapt to managers and managers had to adapt to organisations is now reversed with managers and organisations now adapting to employees. This she explained means that organisations must now rethink and challenge everything they know about work, including their traditional structure, how they empower employees and what they need to remain competitive in a rapidly changing world.
Among topics discussed during the two-day dialogues are: The statistics trend of the labour market, the importance of work, renewable energy and employment, the role of SMEs in future job creation and innovation, the transition period from school to work, employment opportunities in the blue economy and tripartism and its practice.
Employment statistics show that the current Seychelles’ labour force counts about 55,000 people with almost 70% working in the private sector, while the tourism sector remains the highest employer.
As for unemployment, it remains at a low rate of 5%.
Les vacanciers pourront partir à la recherche du rare perroquet noir et des tortues géantes lors de leur visite aux Seychelles
Après les premiers contacts pris en septembre 2015 et l’eductours organisé en janvier dernier, la compagnie Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines annonce son arrivée dans l’Océan Indien.
Le 3 mai, elle a lancé son tout premier produit dédié aux Iles Vanille, le combiné vol-croisière « Îles de l’Océan Indien ». A bord du Boudicca, 880 passagers seront au départ de Londres ou de Manchester le 30 novembre 2017. Ils pourront profiter d’un séjour de 14 nuits dans une zone paradisiaque. Le retour en Grande-Bretagne est quand à lui prévu pour le 14 décembre 2017.
Ce séjour « à faire une fois dans sa vie » est disponible à la réservation du 3 au 6 mai 2016 pour les clients déjà inscrits sur Fred. Olsen, et sera mis à la vente générale le Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.7 mai 2016.
Nathan Philpot, directeur des ventes et du marketing pour Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, a déclaré :
« Nous sommes très excités de lancer notre premier combiné vol-croisière dans l’Océan Indien. C’est une merveilleuse partie du globe, avec quelques-unes des plus belles plages – telles que Flic en Flac, Anse Lazio et Côte d’Or – tout comme des forêts tropicales, des parcs nationaux, des volcans éteints et une magnifique faune et flore. Il y aura des opportunités de marcher avec des lions, découvrir des tortues géantes, voir des lémuriens noirs, et même partir à la recherche du rare perroquet noir ! »
Mais ce lancement a été extrêmement bien réussi et il n’y aura peut être bientôt plus de places pour la vente générale. En une seule journée, 700 des 880 places ont été vendues!
Cette réussite est le fruit du partenariat noué par les îles vanille et la compagnie Fred. Olsen. Elle confirme les bons résultats de l’association sur le secteur de la croisière et l’engouement qui a été généré.
A signaler que les Iles Vanille sont un regroupement de promotion des îles de l’Océan Indien – Comores, Madagascar, Maldives, Maurice, Mayotte, La Réunion et les Seychelles.
IFFD is celebrated on May 4 under the theme ‘No limit to save life’ with one of its most significant symbols the red and blue ribbon.
Every firefighter and guest who attended a short ceremony held at the Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) yesterday wore the ribbons to honour the sacrifices made by firefighters.
Present were the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Transport Joel Morgan, Minister for Home Affairs Charles Bastienne, chairman of SCAA board Captain David Savy, SCAA chief executive (CEO) Gilbert Faure, chief fire officers (CFO) Andre Morel and Bernard Henriette, senior officers from the two brigades, ex-fire fighters and other guests.
In his opening remarks Mr Henriette said “No limit to save life is a strong theme and cannot be taken lightly since when everyone is running away from the incident scene, firefighters are always the one called upon to go towards the scene.”
He added that no limit to save lives goes as far as numerous blood donations are held whenever a request is made.
“Without a fire service team and equipment, aircraft would not land or takeoff at the Seychelles International Airport,” he said, noting the importance of their work.
Minister Morgan commented that fire fighters dedicate their lives to the protection of life and property, no matter the risks they face. He therefore saluted them for their hard work. He noted the progress which has been made over the years and future investments to be made.
In two months time, he announced, they will receive another fire engine, followed by the acquisition of a brand new firefighting boat, which will increase the facilities needed for extinguishing fires at sea. A completely new fleet of engines to replace the aged ones is also expected.
Mr Morgan added that continuous efforts are being made to train fire service officers both locally and overseas in aviation firefighting and rescues, to ensure that they remain up to date with new developments.
“Those equipment alone will not be of any use if we do not have the manpower, skills and dedication,” he said.
The minister’s speech was followed by Deacon Louis Agathine blessing the servicemen and their engines.
There was also a presentation of certificates to the AFRS staff upon completion of various training courses. Two firefighters received certificates for operation and safety procedures in operating Johnston Runway Sweeper; one firefighter received certificate as driver and pump operator of major foam tender; five completed the basic fire fighter course; 23 others received certificate as fire tender vehicles professional drivers and 18 completed the firemanship course.
Ashnel Denis was the best practical performer while the best overall performer was Marius Esparon, who was also the best academic performer. Since he is currently following a course overseas, his mother Jacqueline Esparon collected his certificate.
On the same day a talk on fire prevention with school children was held at the Seychelles Institute for Teacher’s Education (Site) auditorium by two firefighters from both services.
On Wednesday night, I had the opportunity to follow the roundtable discussions which SBC hosted with Marceline Evenor as chairperson and a collection of ‘learned’ journalists and ‘selected’ local intellectuals as participants.
The whole debate was about journalists and their need for more and more and more information in order to deliver a higher level of more and more and more democratic journalism. At the end of the programme I was left wondering what I had learned from the debate.
It appears to me that we are today living in an age of ‘information abundance’ which often brings to the surface far too many people who are versed at the MNOP level without having first mastered the ABCD.
One of the unfortunate aspects of the electronic age is that we are being overburdened with a flow of information (some solicited and some not) and changing information at such a rate and speed that we are unable to properly digest what we are learning and finally end up more confused than ever before. Perhaps this is what, in the first place, brought about the saying that “Ignorance is bliss.”
As a matter of fact, against the background of my personal philosophical approach to life, I have stated that so long as I am on the running, the destination is out of mind. It is only when I stop and start thinking that I discover that for every question there could be a hundred answers, and for every answer a thousand questions.
I was amazed that the debate on the whole touched very little on the subject of ‘defamation.’ Today high level defamation, libel and sedition cases are sending signals to journalists, that writing critical journalism can cost millions of dollars or years in prison. In this way, we see countries reputed to be democratic using the subtle approach within the means of law to silence criticism. Currently there are two cases – one in Bangladesh and one in Timor-Leste – where two editors are being sued for articles they wrote about their respective Prime Ministers. Sadly, these experienced editors failed to appreciate that press freedom and freedom of expression should not be traded for ‘press irresponsibility’ and or ‘irresponsible expression of freedom.’
I am personally very much acquainted with the law of defamation and as a law student I learned that freedom of expression stops where and when defamation begins. In my career as a journalist with a legal background – I have succeeded to navigate through the pros and cons of the law of libel, slander and the whole spectrum of defamation, to find myself finally in a win-win situation.
As a matter of fact, here in Seychelles, I sued Mr F. A René for defaming me by declaring that I was responsible for the high cost of rice and finally obtained not only an apology but also a substantial sum as damages. That was in the early days of party politics in Seychelles.
Since I returned to Seychelles from exile in 1992, I have also sued and obtained substantial damages from the late Percy Ah-Mane who was the Editor of The Independent. Unfortunately, I was never able to recover a penny from Mr Ah-Mane because he pleaded bankruptcy and had no visible assets which I could run after. This appears to indicate that a bankrupt person is in a better position to defame others than somebody with visible assets and money.
My experience with the law of defamation has also seen me winning substantial damages in the United Kingdom against such newspapers like The Financial Times, The Spectator and others. I am glad and proud to say that over the years that I have been an active correspondent for Reuters, for the Associated Press and either Editor or Publisher of Seychelles Weekly, Seychelles Review and VIOAS (Voice of the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea) – I have never for once been sued for defamation.
Now to go back to the question of the urgent need for the journalists in Seychelles to have more and more information – it is ironical to think that the best selling newspaper in London for many years has been the Daily Mirror, which normally is short on information but big in sensational headlines. Thus, we see a majority of the people bypassing The Times, Daily Telegraph and other newspapers, with analytical articles and fully comprehensive editorials, to purchase their tabloid for their required daily information – this despite the fact that the United Kingdom is indeed the land of great literature and long democratic traditions.
Today in Seychelles, we are talking a lot about more and more information at a period of world history where many Nations are all too often being ruled by Sergeant Majors who took over power through military means and then promoted themselves to the rank of Field Marshal and Brigadier General before becoming President.
More important at this critical stage of world history, is for us to be concerned by the policy of misinformation and disinformation which, sadly, are becoming more and more acceptable practice within the framework of the governance of so-called democratic powers who are controlling world affairs and global governance. With such practice in place, who are we to adjudicate on the veracity and quality of any additional information we may get?
Secondary five students from La Digue, Mont Fleuri, English River, Anse Royale and Anse Boileau schools attended yesterday’s open day
Seychelles Institute of Agriculture and Horticulture hosted an open day for secondary five students and for the first time La Digue showed up with more students, 24 out of the total of 36 who turned up.
The other 12 students who turned up were from Mont Fleuri, English River, Anse Royale and Anse Boileau.
Seychelles Institute of Agriculture and Horticulture (SIAH) studies coordinator Maryanne Marie and student council chair Janice Cafrine welcomed the students and teachers to the institute.
The guests attended different presentations including a practical field demonstration, value-added agro-processing, hoof trimming and castration, demonstration on rock garden, landscaping and construction of fish pond.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.Other activities include exhibits on different types of lawn in Seychelles, backyard organic production system, tools, showcases on bee-keeping, medicines, eggs for chicken, quail and duck, and slideshows on activities at the institution.
The students were also able to visit training facilities on the school grounds such as the library and computer room.
Ms Marie said compared to last year more students have turned up but however they are still disappointed as the low turnout is very discouraging.
“We continuously see that students have low interest with our institute and when we compare our school to others, we receive fewer students which come for open days. The students do not see the importance of this school and careers they can obtain from it and unfortunately they did not turn up to learn about the relevance it has to our country,” she said.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.Over a dozen local specialists in data collection have this week learned to conduct research and experimental development, innovation surveys.
This was during a four-day training workshop organised by the National Institute of Science and Technology and Innovation (Nisti) in partnership with the African Science, Technology & Innovation Initiative (Astii) and the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (Nepad).
Experts in the field of data collection from the Seychelles National Bureau of Statistic, the Information Management System of the Ministry of Education and the Guy Morel Institute are following the training while others will be brought on board in due course.
A team of four experts led by Professor Luke Mumba, Astii programme coordinator from the Nepad planning and coordinating agency in Pretoria South Africa, were here to conduct the training.
The aim was to impart new skills to officials and specialists already dealing with scientific research, data and statistics collection so they can produce core science technology and innovation indicators as part of the process leading to the publication on a regular basis of national reports on science, technology and innovation statistics.
“Science, technology and innovation are key drivers of economic development but the difference between rich and poor countries is how much each country invests in science, technology and innovation.” Prof. Mumba explained.
“In the field of agriculture, health and environment and science, technology and innovation are essential and African leaders have been aware of this for a long time and they have expressed the need to invest in these areas if we want to improve health and reduce poverty,” Prof. Mumba added.
He pointed out that through the African Union (AU), different strategies and various plans of action and programmes at national and regional levels have been proposed by our leaders to try and advance Africa using science, technology and innovations. He stressed on the need to put in place good policies that would stimulate science, technology and innovation on the continent because this is what would create jobs for and improve the wellbeing of our people.
“But the challenges are how do we measure the success of these policies? How do we ensure they are translating into economic wellbeing and how are they reducing poverty? There have been no methods to measure the level of success or failure,” Prof Mumba explained.
He noted that it was in 2007 that the AU and the Nepad agreed to put in place a programme to measure African countries’ development in the field of science, technology and innovation through statistics collected, thus the need for the right indicators to follow.
“The training therefore is to train officials so they know how to conduct surveys to collect information and statistics by interacting with government officials, research organisations, private sector and non-governmental organisations representatives,’ Prof. Mumba pointed out.
He said once the survey would be completed, a national report would be drafted and it will target government officials, policy makers and parliamentarians so they know where the country stands in terms of its performance in science, technology and innovations, the level of investments in that area, the number of people involved in that area among other details.
“We want each and every country in Africa to produce such a country report based on which the AU will produce a continental report which will compare how well the different countries are doing in terms of science, technology and innovation. This would allow for each country to know how others are doing and for better policies to be put in place to help countries bridge gaps in this area.
The training has already been conducted in over 40 AU member countries where the survey is already underway.
“This is also about integration and doing things together as Africans for the betterment of our continent,” Prof. Mumba said.
He added that in collaboration with Nisti, policy briefs targeting specific issues from the report will be produced.
The survey is expected to start during the last part of the year and the report will be drafted and ready next year.
Nisti chief executive Xavier Estico welcomed such a training which he said is a great opportunity for Seychelles.
“This training comes to strengthen what we already know in terms of data collection, it will boost our capacity and provide us with our own local indicators to better benchmark ourselves and provide the tools for us to be able to conduct similar surveys in the future,” Mr Estico added.
“We are very confident we can carry out the survey and we are hoping to be in the next African innovations outlook report and this is very important for us as we will know where we are and where we stand in terms of science, technology and innovation,” Mr Estico concluded.
Seychelles is exchanging information with other tax jurisdictions and an internal investigation is also ongoing since the country’s name has been linked to information contained in offshore financial services documents leaked from Panama-based law firm Mossack Fonseca.
Known as the ‘Panama Papers’ the leaked financial documents mention a number of countries around the world, including Seychelles.
In a press conference this week, Finance, Trade and The Blue Economy Minister Jean-Paul Adam said Seychelles has the right framework and is equipped to deal with the fallouts from the Mossack Fonseca allegations.
“The government has taken very seriously the concerns that have been raised, but we are reassured that our legal framework is strong enough to address these issues. Seychelles is a country that is largely compliant according to the OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development) in terms of exchange of information for tax purposes. We are party to the Multilateral Competent Authority Agreement (MCAA) on Automatic Exchange of Information (AEOI). Through those agreements we are able to exchange tax information with all other parties to that same convention which includes over 70 countries worldwide and mostly members of the G20,” said Minister Adam.
By being largely compliant with the OECD standard and having gone through the phase 2 peer review of the OECD, Seychelles is ahead of many similar jurisdictions and as the minister pointed out “we can say with confidence that Seychelles has the legal framework to deal with these issues.”
Seychelles also has an anti-money laundering framework which is also in conformity with the best practices of the financial task force and also in conformity with the OECD best practices.
But this does not mean that “there is no action to be taken”.
“The FSA (Financial Services Authority) and the FIU (Financial Intelligence Unit) are currently doing a joint investigation in relation to the Mossack Fonseca leaks and also in relation to any other firms or corporate service providers that may have facilitated, if there were registration of companies that were not done in conformity with international best practice,” explained Minister Adam.
He noted that it is important that the FIU and FSA do undertake this investigation in a thorough manner and once they have completed it, they will report back with their findings and where necessary actions will be taken against any party or firm or cooperate service provider that has not acted in conformity with the law.
“We have the right framework and are equipped to deal with the fallouts from the Mossack Fonseca allegations. There is of course the reputational concern but it is important that we as Seychellois defend our financial service sector and where there are actions to be taken and where there are operators that are not acting in conformity we are determined to take action against those that are not operating correctly,” explained the minister.
Minister Adam said the FSA has already taken a number of offshore companies off its register for non-compliance over the last years and there is a possibility that some of these companies may appear in the leaked documents.
The offshore financial services sector contributes US $20 million yearly to the country’s economy through sale of licences but it is the lawyers and accountants who pocket the biggest chunk of the pie, and this could amount to 10 times what the government is collecting.
Seychelles’ offshore financial services sector has grown over the years, from 650 international business companies in 1996 to 140,000 now. There are also about 1,000 registered trusts and over 300 foundations.
The ‘Panama Papers’ have been described as the biggest leak of private documents in history – nearly 40 years of records dating back from 1977 to 2015 featuring information about more than 210,000 companies in 21 offshore jurisdictions.
Nearly 2.6 terabytes worth of data amounting to 11.5 million files have been leaked from the database of Mossack Fonseca – one of the world’s biggest offshore law firms.
Maxime Rachel sharing his experience with his staff (Genevieve Morel Seychelles News Agency)
Devotion to the job, the love of his work and the desire to advance professionally are the reasons why an employee of Le Meridien Fisherman’s Cove Hotel won the Starwood President’s Award 2015, the winner said.
Maxime Rachel, Director of Operations at one of Seychelles’ most prestigious hotels, was awarded the Starwood President’s Award on April 21.
“I felt very happy, as I felt that my hard work had paid off because with Starwood it’s not easy. It’s a lot of hard work and there are a lot of targets to be met. So it’s important that you are someone who can really focus, you have a goal and you want to achieve something,” Rachel told SNA.
The award winner started his career with Le Meridien Fisherman’s Cove which is part of the Starwood hotels andImage may be NSFW. Clik here to view. resorts, an American hotel and leisure company based in Connecticut in the US.
The Starwood President Award is an annual award the company bestows upon members in recognition of their passion for their work and their commitment to their employees.
Rachel says that during his journey he has amassed lots of experience and has seen and been part of the evolution in the tourism sector where there has been many changes with regards to clientele, product and employee.
“Tourism as a product has improved immensely as there are better five-star hotelsImage may be NSFW. Clik here to view. and facilities that modern tourists will expect. People are taking more time to do preventive maintenance, and are being a bit more adaptable in the way they sell their products,” he said.
Rachel says that clients’ demands have led to changes as many of them are now conscious of prices.
“They expect value for money and I am somebody who believes that even though something is expensive, if you are providing the service equivalent to that elevated price then it is value for money which is why I inculcate in my employees that we have to deliver the service according to the client’s expectations.”
In terms of employees, Rachel said that the type and quality of employees have also changed over years with less of them being passionate about their jobs and serving clients.
“It’s sad for me when I see the younger persons who do not want to listen, have bad attitudes, are short-tempered, lack the desire, the passion and the drive to achieve. There is however a handful that still possesses good qualities,” he told SNA.
The award winner said in spite of all of the changes he embraces the Starwood philosophy. “Everyday we rethink of how we do business, how we attract new customers and new employees.”
Azarel Ernesta (right) and cousin Lizbeth Belmont posing beside her cross-stitched self (Azarel Ernesta) Photo License: CC-BY
An art exhibition held on Thursday September 25, drew an enthusiastic crowd, admiring the centrepiece – a portrait of a striking young woman staring straight at the beholder, her dark hair flowing over her shoulders. But this piece, along with the eighteen others dotted around the tranquil garden of JOUEL’s Kenwyn House in Seychelles’ capital city of Victoria, deserves closer inspection.
A close look at the finely-detailed images will lead you to the realisation that they have all been painstakingly embroidered in cross-stitch.
The creator of these artworks, Azarel Ernesta, made over 40,000 tiny x-shaped stitches in different colours to form the image in the centrepiece, a portrait of her own cousin, Lizbeth Belmont, who posed proudly beside her cross-stitched self for photographers at the exhibition
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.The other works ranged considerably in style, including images of breathtakingly beautiful women, modern abstract designs, traditional Oriental images and animé-style cartoon characters.
Now Ernesta, encouraged by the positive reception, wishes to focus some of her future cross-stitching efforts on immortalising sights and scenes from her own beautiful island home, Seychelles.
“There isn’t really a particular theme that I focus on,” she told SNA in an email interview. “I see a design, it is striking and I go for it. I will admit though that I am particularly fond of oriental designs and portraits from different cultures.”
“For the future however I am going to focus mostly on recreating pictures of our beautiful country.”
In her opening speech, Ernesta recalled her inspiration for the exhibition, which was fittingly entitled ‘Dedication’ – as she dedicated her achievement to her late grandmother, Angela, a woman she remembered as a woman of strength and purpose.
“It was from that one amazing woman that I learnt the art of handling the needle and thread. One simple act from her decades ago, that has taught me to be patient, passionate and dedicated,” she told the assembled crowd.
“She is not physically here today, but the thousands of stitches found in these pieces are testament to a woman who remains very much a part of my life. Sadly I knew her for very few years but I am grateful to have such beautiful memories of her.”
Ernesta uses Aida cloth, locally known as ‘latwal tennis’ to stitch her creations and can take anything from three days to one year to finish a project, depending on the intricacy of the design and her other obligations and commitments.
The designs are made in the form of a chart, which can either be bought from a company that turns beautiful artworks into cross-stitching charts or a Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.method called ‘picture to stitch’, where a picture is converted into a chart.
“Grandma hobby”
The thirty-year-old cross-stitcher, who recently left her post as the youngest-ever Clerk of the Seychelles National Assembly to study further, said many people often reacted with incredulity that someone so young could have the time and patience for a hobby that is usually reserved for much older generations.
Affectionately calling it her “grandma hobby” after the grandmother who first taught her how to handle a needle and thread, Ernesta says cross-stitching is a form of therapy from the stress of everyday life.
“I am passionate about this, and I am serious about what I am passionate about. This is something I truly love doing,” she said. “It was passed on to me from a loving individual and it has also taught me patience and perseverance.”
“It is also my therapy. I am constantly told that I think too much – I agree,” she added wryly. “This is the one time when I am thinking about almost nothing. The world comes down to the fabric, the needle and thread, the chart and the wonderful piece it will eventually become. Once I am in that zone, all is quiet and calm and I feel relaxed.”
Some of Azarel’s cross-stitched pieces that featured in her debut one-day exhibition at Kenwyn House (Azarel Ernesta) Photo License: CC-BY
Ernesta who said she started to seriously engage in cross stitching in 2009 after years and years of not handling a needle has stitched 23 pieces over the past 5 years, most of which she has gifted to several individuals from friends to family.
A bright future ahead
The former Clerk of the National Assembly, who describes herself as “fiercely patriotic” and a “free and passionate spirit with ambitious goals”, is leaving her beloved Seychelles the coming weekend to study law in Cyprus.
But it is a given that the energetic, vibrant young woman will use the next four years away from the comforts of home and family to gain the skills she needs to serve her country when she returns. Ernesta, who already holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Business, Finance & Economics from the Manchester Business School, University of Manchester, is planning to put her law degree to good use in the drafting of new laws and studying the Constitution of Seychelles, widely regarded as “one of the most comprehensive and modern constitutions in the world.”
Ernesta, who has worked in Parliament for a total of seven years, described her two-year experience as the Clerk of the National Assembly as a learning curve and an important part of her life.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.“I have learnt many, many things not just about the institution, but also about myself,” she said. “If I can say anything, it is that my time with the National Assembly has provided me with a deeper sense of purpose and clearer goals. My time as the Clerk was especially challenging but very fruitful. We must after all strive to take something good out of everything we do and I am grateful for the many opportunities and challenges I was provided during my tenure.”
aking a leap of faith
Ernesta, who admits that her personality lends her to throw herself fully into things that she is passionate about, says it is important to find a way to balance the demands of work, hobbies and family.
Azarel pictured with her mother (top photo) and one of the piece she stitched for her. (Below) Some of the guests admiring Azarel’s artwork. (Azarel Ernesta) Photo License: CC-BY
Although cross-stitch will probably remain an important part of her life and an escape for stressful situations, Ernesta will now have to re-adjust to being a full-time student with new challenges to deal with.
Her advice to other young people with big dreams for their future would be to take a leap of faith and to be insistent and passionate about what they believe in.
“Don’t let anyone define your dreams for you; they are your dreams after all,” she said. “You are the sole author of your life. Credit those who help and support you and listen and consider criticisms received. If possible be your own worst critic.”
Ernesta avers that it is important to define what you do not want out of life, even if you are unclear about what you want in particular.
Azarel swearing in as the new clerk before the Speaker of the National Assembly in March 2012. (Seychelles Nation) Photo License: CC-BY-NC
“Be clear about what you do not want. Do not compromise your dreams to accommodate other people’s insecurities or uncertainties,” she explained. “Let them deal with their issues, they will get over it.”
“When it seems that the world is screaming at you, take a moment and bring yourself back to the moment you realised what your dream is. Do not lose sight of what you wish to achieve. And do not be afraid to make mistakes.”
In the wake of food insecurity brought about by climate change, scientists are scrambling to find alternative crops that could help to feed the planet, and their focus in recent weeks has turned to the humble jackfruit.
According to an article in The Guardian newspaper, food security experts think the world’s largest treeborne fruit, which has the smell of rotting onions and originated in India but can be found throughout Asia, East Africa and even South America, could soon be utilised in new ways to replace diminishing stocks of wheat, corn and other staple crops.
This comes after alarm bells sounded by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change‘s (IPCC) fifth assessment, which led to fears that in the next few decades, food security could become so threatened in certain areas of the world that it could lead to food wars. Enter the jackfruit, a superfood that is high in protein, Vitamin C, potassium, Vitamin B6, calcium and iron and low in sugar and cholesterol.
The Seychelles islands in the Indian Ocean are no stranger to the jackfruit, and hundreds of large jackfruit trees can be found all over the main inhabited islands of Mahé, Praslin and La Digue. The fruit forms an important part of local traditional culture and cuisine and it is almost too easy to grow. Shrugging off potential threats such as pests, diseases, drought, flooding and high temperatures, jackfruit trees can produce hundreds of fruits per year, ranging in weight from 5kg to 45kg each.
“It’s a miracle. It can provide so many nutrients and calories – everything,” said Shyamala Reddy, a biotechnology researcher at the University of Agriculture Sciences in Bangalore, India. “If you just eat 10 or 12 bulbs of this fruit, you don’t need food for another half a day.”
In India, the fruit has long been neglected as a useful food source and is now regarded as a “poor man’s fruit”, with food suppliers and consumers alike opting for more commercialized fruits such as apples and oranges.
But Nyree Zerega, a researcher on plant biology at the Chicago Botanic Garden, says the jackfruit’s bad reputation is undeserved.
“I think it could play a much more important role in diets than it currently does and be a staple,” she said. “In addition to consuming cooked young jackfruit, ripe jackfruit, and jackfruit seeds, there are also many food products with longer shelf life that can be made from jackfruit.”
The Indian government has already launched some new initiatives to promote the jackfruit by promoting new uses for the fruit as a canned product and also as an ingredient for processed foods.
In a world where farmers have widely adopted genetically-modified crops of rice, wheat and maize to produce bumper crops, a healthier and less controversial alternative could be the jackfruit tree, especially in developing countries with growing populations living under the increased threat of climate change.
A young entrepreneur, Marie-Antoinette Robert from La Digue is trying to keep Seychelles cleaner with her own way of doing business. (Salifa Magnan, Seychelles News Agency)
La Digue island in the Seychelles archipelago is renowned for its tranquility and the friendliness of its people, who use bicycles to get around the island and many visitors come to be enthralled by its striking, pristine, tropical nature and swim at Anse Source D’Argent beach, ranked by CNN.com as the 4th best beach of the World’s 100 best beaches.
The Indian Ocean island nation takes care to preserve its nature and keep the islands clean from litter and waste. Indeed Seychelles joined the rest of the world in the ‘Clean Up the World’ campaign last week end.
Around one thousand tonnes of waste were collected across the main island Mahé and hundreds of tonnes more on the second and third most populated islands of Praslin and La Digue.
The country has an ongoing waste reduction campaign under the banner ‘Reduce, Reuse and Recycle’ as part of its waste management plan.
Marie-Antoinette Robert, a young woman from Anse Reunion, La Digue, is trying to keep Seychelles cleaner with her own way of doing business.
Robert owns a craft business, in which she recycles materials in most of her art and craft products.
SNA caught up with Marie-Antoinette on a recent trip to Mahe and took a shot of some of her work. (Salifa Magnan, Seychelles News Agency) Photo License: CC-BY
Specializing in making cards of various form and invitations, the 22-year-old artisan likes to collect knick knacks from old items that were thrown away. Keen to give new life to old things, she finds herself saving decorative fake diamonds from old worn-out shoes, bags and clothes for future projects. Toilet paper rolls, buttons and safety pins are some of the other objects she adds to her to-use-later craft collection.
“If someone asks me to create a gift to be given to someone, I can find an old shoe box and transform it into, let’s say a tissue box. I decorate it and make it beautiful. I can even design, for example, a card that will be placed in a shoe,” describes the talented young craftswoman during an interview with SNA.
Scrap paper is another material that Robert uses, mostly when making greetings card and invitations.
Robert has a good understanding of the different businesses and schools on La Digue which use paper of different colors, which means she has a regular inflow of used paper for her home-based business, which she then recycles. The islander told SNA that she is targeting schools since they use a lot of paper, especially during art classes, which they Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.later throw away. New A4 papers and ribbons are some of a few items that she needs to buy to meet the demands of her work.
Since Robert is based on La Digue with less than 3000 inhabitants, most of her clients are fellow islanders. She does have some customers from Mahe and Praslin, which involves frequent trips between the islands to deliver products as well as acquire new materials.
“The target is to place some of my products on those two islands as well, so that they [the clients] do not have to make the trip to La Digue to come and buy them,” commented an enthusiastic and positive-Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.minded Robert.
How the business started
The difficulty to find raw materials for craft work in shops in the Seychelles is one of the reasons why Robert turned to recycling.
The idea to start the now four year old business emerged during Robert’s second year at School of Visual Arts, an arts high school in the country. A year later, in 2012, when young aspiring artist was doing an A-level course in
art and design, she discovered her love for recycling. Robert and classmates were given an arts and craft Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.project, where they had to go to the dumping site and gather materials they could reuse and recycle in their craft.
She has limited space to do her craft work at home which means that she cannot employ someone to work with her, but that does not mean that Marie-Antoinette does not receive any help. Her younger sisters and mother usually lend helping hands whenever they can. Her large family is her biggest support.
Dreams of a workshop for new accessories range
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.In five to ten years’ time, Robert envisions that she will have her own workshop, as her business would have grown by then to include other services such as crafting and decoration wedding accessories.
Alongside her crafts, the young artisan is doing freelance photography for a Praslin-based company.
“Photography helps me a lot with my crafting because the things you see in a camera are different from what we see with our own eyes. It is like seeing something with a second set of eyes. Simple details help me, like textures, to improve my work”, explained Robert.
Most of Marie-Antoinette’s clients are fellow islanders on La Digue although she does have some customers from Mahe and Praslin, which involves frequent trips between the islands to deliver products as well as acquire new materials. (Salifa Magnan, Seychelles News Agency) Photo License: CC-BY
With Christmas around the corner, crafting ideas have already been drafted.
“I’m targeting to make some handmade Christmas trees using papers along with Christmas tree decorations. They will be small, small enough to be placed on tables or in the office. I will be making cards and do some decorating works with candles since a lot of people use them on tables.”
The price of the products varies on the complexity of the work done, ranging from $2.5 to around $30.
Seychelles has “big ideas” having shown leadership on climate action, environmental protection and the fight against maritime crime, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has said.
Mr Ban was speaking at State house on Saturday night following a tête-à-tête and bilateral meetings with President James Michel. The evening ended with a reception in honour of Mr Ban, who was accompanied by his spouse, Ban Soon-taek.
The bilateral meeting was attended by Vice-President Danny Faure, government ministers and other senior officials from the United Nations delegation.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.As he welcomed Mr Ban and his delegation to Seychelles, President Michel expressed his appreciation for the UN secretary general’s inspiring leadership in building peace, development and prosperity in the world.
“We are deeply thankful for your valued and consistent support to the position of Small Island States (Sids) like Seychelles. Such support has transformed our development perspectives… and has given us a powerful voice in the international scene,” said President Michel.
The discussions centered on climate change, democracy, development goals, transnational crimes, sustainable use and conservation of oceanic resources as well as the fights against terrorism, corruption and piracy in the world.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon congratulated President Michel on his re-election and commended his commitment to democracy and democratic values.
He said Seychelles has made a great impact in the international arena in championing the cause of Sids and the fight against climate change.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.“Mr Ban Ki-moon and myself have agreed on the seriousness and urgency of the threat posed by climate change and on the need for a rapid implementation of the Paris Agreement by all parties concerned. I have reaffirmed Seychelles’ continued engagement and commitment in the implementation of the landmark 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on climate change. In this regard, I have outlined the actions that Seychelles is already taking on climate change in the spirit of the Samoa Pathway, in promoting the Blue Economy concept, as well as the use of climate forecasting services to boost development… I have also reiterated to Mr Ban Ki-moon Seychelles’ appreciation for his valued support to our national and regional efforts in combating transnational crimes, like piracy and drug trafficking, and in promoting maritime security across the Indian Ocean and in Africa,” said President Michel.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.Mr Michel also thanked Secretary General Ban Ki-moon for his invaluable contributions to the UN, in particular in spearheading real action on climate change and sustainable development, ushering the world in a new era of global partnership and solidarity.
The President also expressed his appreciation to Mr Ban for his tireless work to make the United Nations more connected to the youth.
“I share his vision calling on the youth of the world to rise to the challenges of their generation and to join forces with the UN for a better world,’ said Mr Michel who added that this visit and his extremely fruitful discussions with the secretary general have reinforced Seychelles’ relationship and partnership with the United Nations and its agencies to a new level.
“We have recognised their continued valued support in the political and socio-economic development of Seychelles. I have expressed our commitment to continue working closely together in order to build a world of peace, development and human rights for all,” added President Michel.
As for Mr Ban, he said the United Nations stands ready to work with Seychelles for a better future on a cleaner planet, and that the country is in an excellent position to build on its record of protecting the environment, creating sustainable livelihoods and increasing the use of renewable energy.
“I have just held fruitful meetings with His Excellency President James Alix Michel and his cabinet members. …. I am confident that the leadership will continue to build on Seychelles’ record as a strong and vibrant democracy. These islands are famous for their natural beauty. Earlier this afternoon (Saturday afternoon), I visited the breathtaking Vallée de Mai nature reserve. I think that this is a common asset for the whole humanity and thank you for preserving all this very valuable treasure of humanity. I am even more impressed by the Seychelles’ sense of responsibility in our world. The problems we face as a planet – climate change, poverty and insecurity – will only be solved through a global, multilateral response. I thank the government and people of the Seychelles for their leadership on these issues, and particularly for your early ratification of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. You are one of the 16 countries who have ratified at such an early stage. I sincerely hope that you will exercise your political leadership to encourage many other countries to follow suit. You and your peers have shown that small islands have big ideas and big political will,” said Mr Ban.
He went on to say that the UN also appreciates Seychelles’ leadership on the problem of piracy as chair of the Contact Group on piracy off the coast of Somalia – and noted that he was encouraged that since 2013, no commercial shipping vessels have been kidnapped by pirates – common solidarity and commitment on tackling transnational crime in the region, while respecting international norms and human rights.
“I applaud Seychelles for working with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to ensure that suspects are given fair and efficient trials,” said Mr Ban.
Recalling that the Seychelles are highly vulnerable to storm surges, as had been made clear by the recent devastating effects of cyclone Fantala, the secretary-general noted that preventing and preparing for natural disasters in partnership with local and national governments will be one focus of the World Humanitarian Summit he will convene in Istanbul, Turkey, on May 23-24.
“I hope the Seychelles will bring its expertise to the table,” he said.
Mr Ban also noted that this is the first year of implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, the universal, integrated and transformative agenda to end poverty and build a more sustainable world on a healthy planet over the next 15 years.
“The Seychelles is in an excellent position to build on its record of protecting the environment, creating sustainable livelihoods and increasing the use of renewable energy. The United Nations stands ready to work with you for a better future on a cleaner planet,” concluded the secretary-general.
President James Michel and Secretary General Ban Ki-moon were then joined by dignitaries and guests for a reception in honour of Mr Ban.
Sonam Tsultrim, a youth who took part in an international competition for the International Year of SIDS in 2014, by composing a letter to Mr Ban Ki-moon about the need to preserve islands and their environment, read out her letter to him, which was warmly applauded by the secretary general.
Popular Seychellois singer and songwriter Joe Samy and a school choir also performed two songs for the guests. The national cultural troupe also presented a series of traditional dances for the United Nations delegation.
Mr Ban is the first sitting UN secretary general to visit Seychelles and his visit was a preparation to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Seychelles’ existence as a sovereign state and as membership of the United Nations.
His visit marked the first of a serving United Nations Secretary General to Seychelles.
