Press release

Seychelles adopts Dhaka Declaration supporting collaboration in the Blue Economy for balanced and sustainable economic development in the Indian Ocean Rim region.

September 5, 2019
StateHouse

Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and the Blue Economy, Ambassador Barry Faure, headed the Seychelles delegation at the Third Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Blue Economy Ministerial Conference. The Conference, is being held in Bangladesh on the 5th September under the theme, “Promoting Sustainable Blue Economy- Making the best use of opportunities from the Indian Ocean”.

The conference discussed ways to promote sustainable and inclusive Blue Economy activities to positively impact social and economic development of the IORA member states. The following six pillars were identified as key pillars for development of the sector: fisheries and aquaculture; renewable ocean energy; seaports and shipping; offshore hydrocarbons and seabed minerals; marine biotechnology, research and development; and tourism.

Ambassador Faure highlighted the progress made by Seychelles in devising a Blue Economy Policy Framework and roadmap that will facilitate a shift from traditional more commodity-based economy to a value adding, diverse, service-based and increasingly knowledge-based economy. He also reiterated the leadership role of Seychelles in exploring innovative finances to support the sector and the engagement towards Marine Spatial Planning whereby committing 30% of Seychelles EEZ as protection areas.

Seychelles supported the Dhaka Declaration which encompasses the establishments of firm commitments by the twenty-two IORA members. Member states agreed to deepen cooperation and strengthen activities to assess the untapped potential of the Blue Economy as an opportunity for attaining sustainable development to lead the world into a new era of prosperity and to meet the needs of the present as well as the future generations without compromising the health of the oceans. 

In attendance were also Mr Kenneth Racombo, Principal Secretary for Blue Economy and Mrs Mawess Gabriel, Principal Information and Communication Officer at the Department of the Blue Economy.