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Archive - Archive 2004 - July 2013

Seychelles to bid for UN security council seat |04 August 2012

Seychelles to bid for UN security council seat

President Michel (at head of table) addressing the ambassadors yesterday

Out of the 193 member states of the UN, Seychelles is among the 72 which have never been a member of the council.

“We can bring a unique perspective to the work of the security council. We have demonstrated our readiness for this seat by playing a leading role in the fight against piracy and for the advancement of peace and stability in Somalia. More recently, our mediation efforts in resolving the crisis in Madagascar have been internationally recognised by our partners. And we shall continue to provide the leadership and the support that are required in this process,” said President Michel.

President Michel was addressing Seychelles ambassadors at State House when launching the annual meeting of ambassadors in the presence of Vice-President Danny Faure and Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Paul Adam.

He noted that Seychelles’ diplomatic efforts to champion the causes of small islands states as well as the need to protect the environment, have “established firmly our credibility” for its proposed contribution to the high-level forum of the United Nations.

“It would be naïve to pretend that we live in a just multilateral system. We have made great strides but many inequalities remain. Many iniquities perdure. Humanity remains confronted with poverty, wars, conflicts, poverty, disease, injustice …We have become so blasé towards them, so inured to them, that more often than not they merit just a passing mention in the international media. Yet, we can make a difference. This small nation of ours, whose flag bearers you are, can make a difference. We have values that we can share with and impart to the rest of the world.

These values are solidly anchored in our abiding faith in the inherent goodness of humanity.”
Mr Michel urged the ambassadors to make a difference in the world arena by being the voice of small island states, the voice of “those denied their natural heritage”, to be advocates for peace and peace-brokers as well as ambassadors at the forefront of “the strife to protect our planet from self-destruction”.

He thanked the diplomats for their excellent work for the New Seychelles and the achievements they have realised in honour of their country.

He said the annual retreat – hosted yesterday under the theme ‘Seychelles proactive diplomacy making a difference’ –  is now firmly established as an important component of the government’s policy of pro-active diplomacy.

“I want to express my gratitude for the work you are doing, with competence and talent, sometimes in very difficult conditions. It does honour to our country.”

He said all those present had great ambitions for our country and our region, and its natural place at the heart of an efficient and just multilateral system.

Mr Adam said most of the diplomats were present at the meeting, though it is not always easy to get them at the same time because items on their diaries are staggered.

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