Seychelles’ challenges discussed at world water forum |27 April 2015

The water situation in Seychelles, the main challenges the country faces such as climate change risks, the adaptation measures being used against water shortage are some of the issues environment principal secretary Alain De Comarmond raised during the 7th World Water Forum in South Korea.

Mr De Comarmond was accompanied by Public Utilities Corporation principal engineer Franky Duprès.

The forum’s theme was ‘Water for our Future’ and it was attended by more than 35,000 delegates from 187 countries, the United Nations and other international organisations, the business sector and scientists.

At the end of the forum a ministerial declaration was made covering four main areas, namely water security for all; water for development and prosperity; water for sustainability: harmonising humans and nature; and constructing feasible implementation mechanisms.

Seychelles had the opportunity to take part in two ministerial roundtables focusing on ‘Sustainable water management and conservation of ecosystems’ and ‘Ensuring safe and enough water and sanitation for all’.

In both sessions Seychelles was able to present its national circumstances as well as ensuring that issues of concern and relevance to small island developing states were properly raised and incorporated in the outcomes of the discussions.

During the main plenary session of the ministerial segment, PS De Comarmond delivered Seychelles’ official country statement, giving details about the water situation in Seychelles, the main challenges that Seychelles faces such as climate change risks, the adaptation measures being used against water shortage and the needs of Seychelles for the future such as financing to continue to invest in its infrastructure and also exploration of new technologies and approaches.

At the end of the forum all parties declared the political will to translate the commitments made in the ministerial declaration into national policies, plans and actions and to intensify their joint efforts to advance water-related cooperation at a global scale.