Seychelles highlights the importance of Blue Economy

Seychelles has been commended by the African Union Assembly for its upcoming plans on the Blue Economy agenda for Africa.

The 32nd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union (AU), took place on February 10-11, 2019, in Addis Ababa.

The Assembly was a moment for the Heads of State and Government of the AU to review and endorse substantial recommendations presented in various reports, on thematic issues ranging from climate change, education, science and innovation, the reform of the United Nations Security Council (C10), Agenda 2063, terrorism and violent extremism in Africa, corruption, health financing, and political integration of the African continent. These issues featured highly on the AU agenda.

A prime moment for Seychelles during the Assembly, was the presentation of a stock taking report on the Blue Economy, delivered by Vice President Meriton on behalf of President Danny Faure. The report highlighted the experiences, challenges, achievements and upcoming plans of Seychelles in advancing the Blue Economy agenda.  

In his address, the Vice President touched on the relevance and significance of this agenda for the continent, signifying that “The Blue Economy represents a key that will unlock the door to an abundance of opportunities to make Africa the economic powerhouse and land of wellbeing that we all aspire to”.

He further re-assured the Assembly of Seychelles’ commitment to work with the Commission, regional economic communities and Member States to develop innovative strategic frameworks, leading to tangible targets responding to grass root country and continental needs, in line with Agenda 2063.

The African Union motto for this year is “The Year of Refugees, Returnees and Internally Displaced Persons: Towards Durable Solutions to Forced Displacement in Africa”.

The Vice President was accompanied at the Summit meetings by Mr. Kenneth Racombo, Principal Secretary for the Blue Economy, Ambassador David Pierre, Permanent Representative to the African Union, Mr. Jacques Belle, Director General for Protocol, Consular, and Maritime Affairs, Mrs. Johnette Stephen, Principal Counsellor in the Embassy of Seychelles in Addis Ababa, Mr. Ashik Hassan, Director General in the Department of Trade, Ms. Wendy Isnard, First Secretary from the Department of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Fatime Kante, Economist at the Department of Blue Economy and Dr. Mahmoud Moussa, General Consul of Seychelles in Cairo and Addis Ababa.