SEYCHELLES AND OTHER AFRICAN COUNTRIES ALONG WITH THE WORLD BANK ENCOURAGES THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF AFRICA THROUGH THE SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF OCEAN RESOURCES

On Thursday 17^th November, Seychelles joined several African countries at an event organised by the World Bank Group at the 22^nd Conference of the Parties (COP22) in Marrakech to showcase the importance of the Blue Economy to Africa and the progress which have been made by relevant countries in their quest to sustainably exploit the available wealth in and below the sea around the African continent. It was emphasized that the African Union’s Agenda 2063 has already perceived the Blue Economy as a critical issue for sustainable development.

The World Bank spokesperson noted that some projects over Africa are ahead of schedule in terms of delivery based on commitments made at last year’s COP21 in Paris where the group launched the “Africa Climate Business Plan”. The World Bank has indicated that they recognize the threat of Climate Change to the equilibrium of the marine environment and hence why they have devoted two chapters of this business plan to the Blue Economy and coastal resilience. 

The Seychelles’ Government was represented at the event by Mr. Didier Dogley, the Minister for Environment, Energy & Climate Change who gave a presentation on the various approaches being taken by Seychelles to better manage and develop its oceanic resources such as through Marine Spatial planning, the Debt for Adaptation and Conservation swap with Paris Club and reviewing fisheries financing. The participants at the event agreed that it is time to unlock the economic potential of Africa through the ocean.

Figure 1: Minister for Environment, Energy and Climate Change Didier Dogley giving a presentation about how  Seychelles manages its ocean resources.

Following this event, Seychelles also had the privilege in joining the Republic of Cabo Verde in signing a project agreement with the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) to implement the adoption of efficient and climate-smart agriculture practices in their respective countries. Through this agreement Seychelles will receive 400,000 USD to implement the project over a three-year period. Other beneficiaries of this programme will include the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, the Union of Comoros, the Republic Mauritius and the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome & Principe.

Mr. Didier Dogley representing the Government of Seychelles in the signing of a project agreement with the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) alingside Cabo Verde.