Seychelles applauds Africa’s call for oceanic spaces’ sustainable management |09 November 2013

Seychelles has applauded the inclusion of proposed sustainable development goals that protect the environment and called for sustainable management of oceanic spaces.

Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Paul Adam has welcomed the inclusion and described it indicative of the ambitious development vision Africa has for the continent.

“It has become clear that any future for the continent includes the sustainable management and development of Africa’s blue economy, as not only an issue of paramount importance to small island developing states but for the whole of Africa,” said Minister Adam.

“The decision of the African Union ministerial meeting on the sustainable development goals (SDGs) to prioritise marine resources as part of the outcome document that we are taking forward to the African Union summit in January shows that we recognise the importance of protecting and developing our oceanic spaces as a cross-cutting platform for boosting trade, industry, inter-connectivity, research and innovation, food security, and social inclusion for all,” he added.

The Africa regional consultative meeting on SDGs was held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia this week.

The recommendations from this regional meeting are expected to be brought to the African Union for inclusion in the development of Africa’s common position on the post-2015 development agenda following the conclusion of the millennium development goals.

A global summit to finalise the SDGs is expected to take place in the third quarter of 2014.
Minister Adam attended the ministerial meeting as part of the Seychelles delegation which included Designated Minister Vincent Meriton who is also the Minister for Social Affairs, Community Development and Sports, the permanent representative to the African Union, Ambassador Joseph Nourrice, and the special advisor for social affairs, Marie-Josée Bonne.

The Africa regional meeting was a culmination of numerous smaller regional consultations on the SDGs which includes the sub-regional preparatory meeting for the third international conference on small island developing states which Seychelles hosted from July 17-19, 2013 at Kempinski resort, Baie Lazare.

The conference for Sids is expected to take place in Samoa in 2014.