Latest VIOAS magazine highlights Seychelles’ increasing global role |17 December 2013

VIOAS magazine’s Christmas issue is now at the news stand with an editorial focusing on Seychelles’ increasing ‘international role’. As the Seychelles government asserts its role as a spokesman for the Small Island States of the world in matters of international concerns and seeks for a position as a non permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, VIOAS is mindful of playing its role in this pursuit.

“The decision to seek for a Security Council position and be seriously active about it will further enhance Seychelles’ reputation in the international arena, particularly if Seychelles comes forward as a disciplined and well united nation,” states the leading editorial in this special issue.

And to assert its new international dimension, the VIOAS magazine has proclaimed the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, ‘Man of the Year - From a global perspective.’

The fact that a magazine like VIOAS chooses a leader from the Caucus  region of Central Asia as its ‘Man of the Year’ tells us how much the world has changed over the last century – with Azerbaijan becoming a model of incisive and inclusive development for most emerging countries.

It is to be noted that the VIOAS magazine is published by none other than Seychelles’ founding President James R. Mancham, who in October this year was invited in his capacity as a vice-president of CAPDI (Centrist Asia Pacific Democrats International) to monitor the Azerbaijan presidential elections which saw President Ilham Aliyev re-elected on October 9, 2013 after ten years in office for another five-year term with the overwhelming support of his people. Throughout his presidency, President Ilham Aliyev has reduced poverty by 90% and his vision is to double the GDP by 2020.
 
The middle spread pages of this Christmas issue are dedicated to the memory of the founding Father of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and depict a collection of photos reflecting the high standing of the ‘Father of the UAE’ internationally during his lifetime. They also include a photo of Sheikh Zayed presenting to Nelson Mandela the Zayed Medal of the first class which is the UAE’S highest national order at Al-Wathba Palace in Abu Dhabi when he also received a top South African honour in 1998.

This middle spread is introduced by a one page article in appreciation of the exceptional assistance provided by the government of Abu Dhabi over recent years to the Seychelles.

There are of course many articles in this issue dedicated to the international activities of President Michel throughout 2013. They include Seychelles’ attendance at the 2013 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Sri Lanka where the Prince of Wales commended the President for Seychelles’ environmental record. The Seychelles Minister for Foreign Affairs, Jean-Paul Adam, is of course playing a prominent role in support of the President’s international vision and was his country’s outspoken defender of its record at the OECD World Forum in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Seychelles’ reputation as a growing five-star tourism destination has not only been manifested by the promotion of its potential by Etihad, Air Seychelles and other airlines flying to the country but also by the ongoing activities of the Minister for Tourism and Culture, Alain St Ange, mostly surrounding his successful ‘Vanilla Islands’ initiative and also several articles concerning various five-star hotel resorts operating in Seychelles today.

The continued fight against piracy and Nato’s role within it has not been overlooked.
 
Last but not least an exclusive interview with Finley Racombo, chief executive officer of the Seychelles Fishing Authority reveals SFA’s decision to give added value to Seychelles’ fishing and tuna industry.