Seychelles: SDG Forum – It is imperative for Seychelles to be more self-sufficient and resilient to external shocks, says President Ramkalawan

Seychelles President Wavel Ramkalawan has highlighted the island nation’s vulnerabilities to the effects of climate change despite having achieved most of the Sustainable Development Goals at an action forum in Dubai on Wednesday.

State House said Ramkalawan participated in a “Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Action” forum under the theme: Reaching New Heights for the Future of Humanity” during the World Government Summit.

Forum questions were related to sustainable goals related to the blue economy such as SDG 2 – Zero Hunger, SDG 6 – Safe Drinking Water and Sanitation, SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG 13 – on climate action and SDG 14 – Life below water.

Ramkalawan said being an island nation has prompted the government “to review the way we conduct our socio-economic activities and adopt a more discerning approach that places the ocean, which is our greatest asset, at center of our sustainable development aspirations”. .”

He said the SDGs have become increasingly important now amid and in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The pandemic has worsened our already fragile socio-economic situation. It should be noted that the pandemic has also created a more compelling business case for the development of our blue economy as it has given us tangible proof that there is a need urgent need to become more self-reliant and resilient to external shocks,” he added.

Seychelles, an archipelago in the western Indian Ocean, like all other island states, is vulnerable and can be greatly affected by the effects of climate change. The island nation has therefore undertaken several adaptation and mitigation initiatives.

This includes a debt-for-adaptation swap, whereby the repayment of an international debt of $21 million was canceled in exchange for investment in the blue economy and the designation of 30% of its maritime territory. as a protected area.