La Vie DIPLOMATIQUE
La Vie DIPLOMATIQUE
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La Vie DIPLOMATIQUE
Beryl Samson, ambassador of Seychelles
Gives her vision of the privileged relations between Belgium and Seychelles on bilateral economic, political and cultural issues
Can you explain to us the measures which are taken by your country to fight against global warming?
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First of all, it is Seychelles’ strong position that mitigation ambition must be in line with a long-term global goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
In terms of the measures which the country is undertaken in the fight against the global warming, priorities are being given to climate-sensitive economic sectors such as fisheries and tourism. This include better management of fisheries and marine ecosystems as well as sustainable development of the tourism sector which allows nurturing of habitat restoration, geo-spatial planning, as well as maintenance of bio-diversity and ecosystem in green areas and beach vegetation.
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Furthermore, Seychelles has established the Coastal Rehabilitation and Protection Projects aiming at adapting and enhancing community resilience and minimize Seychelles’ vulnerability to the impacts of climate change, in critical coastal sectors. With the support of the World Bank Seychelles’ has developed a Coastal Management Plan (CMP) 2019-2024, for the country.
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We have also seen the implementation of a new Energy Legislation (Energy Act) and policy framework. Seychelles, has embarked on a path of solar energy implementation programme aim at attaining our target of Renewable Energy of 5% by 2020 and 15% by 2030. Moreover, Seychelles is aiming towards the overall target of 100% Renewable Energy in future- by 2050.
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In terms of debt recovery, Seychelles has introduced some innovative financing such as Debt-for-Nature-Swap, where under such initiative the country has committed to protect 50% of its land area and 30% of its ocean territory, using funding for ocean conservation and climate mitigation. This was signed in 2015. The Blue bond is another very interesting and well applauded initiative worth mentioning that has been put in place by the country. The Blue bond is a way of helping us as a SIDS to achieve the sustainability targets set in our Blue Economy roadmap. In October 2018, the Government of Seychelles launched a sovereign blue bond worth US $ 15 million in order to finance a transition to sustainable fisheries. This 10-year blue bond makes Seychelles the world’s first country to utilize capital markets for funding the sustainable use of marine resources. Worth mentioning that since 1st July 2017, the government has further implemented regulations imposing restrictions on importation, manufacturing, distribution, and sale of plastic bags and on plastic utensils and polystyrene boxes. Regionally, Seychelles and Mauritius have signed a Joint Management Area (JMA) which makes provisions for the joint management of the largest area of maritime space in the world that is subject to joint management, between Seychelles and Mauritius. A very prominent ways of protecting our shared ocean space and the activities within it. Through these initiatives, Seychelles is making a difference by placing nature and the ocean at the very center of solutions for climate change and sustainable development.
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What are the relations between our two countries? And what is the importance of those relations with regards to the economy?
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Bilaterally, diplomatic relations between Seychelles and the Kingdom of Belgium, was established on 1st July 1976. Our two countries relations can be described as longstanding robust and solid with a lot of fruitful areas to still be unearthed. Over the years, our cooperation has extended primarily from defense to maritime security, capacity building in numerous sectors where we have engaged; in exchange programmes (Tourism, Sport, Port management, and Diplomacy), develop culture ties (Belgium participation in International Carnival of Victoria) and consolidate financial assistance (Tsunami relief funds), to name a few.
Economically our relations are of strategic importance since Belgium contribute significantly in terms of the number of tourist arrivals to our shores as part of the EU market, and also quite a sizeable volume of Seychelles’ export of tuna is targeted to the Belgian market. Needless to say, that the bulk of our tuna exportation is destined to the EU market, which is also being enjoyed by the EU nationals. On the international scene, both countries maintain good international relations and share common stance on important topics such as peace and security, trade, economic development, human rights, geo-politics, climate change and the SDGs.
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Can you mention some important questions which are debated presently between our countries?
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Apart from political issues, the effect of Climate Change on Seychelles, Ocean Governance, Blue Economy, tourism, sustainable and bio-agriculture, and SIDS issues, are some of the most debated and concerned questions across our society. Other important matters being deliberated though through the EU, are capacity building for our local fishermen for betterment and sustainability of the fishing industry, means and policies to attract more investment especially in tourism, fisheries, blue economy, renewable energy and finance sectors under the Economic Partnership Agreement, and also of vital concern is the fight against the serious threat of substance abuse specifically drugs abuse among younger generation. Seychelles is calling on its international partners to assist in this very difficult and demanding task.
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Regarding the climate question, what is the position of Seychelles ?
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As you are aware Seychelles being a Small Island Developing States (SIDS) has always been at the forefront on the fight of global climate change. Being highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change where adaptation and mitigation is our only recourse, its adverse effects is thus of high priority on the country’s national agenda. Climate change undermines Seychelles efforts in achieving the sustainable development goals and threatens our livelihoods. It is imperative that we maintain a balanced development agenda that does not jeopardize the livelihood of our people as islanders.
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« Seychelles has always been at the forefront on the fight of global climate change. »