01 January 2020 | State House.
Compatriots, Seychellois brothers and sisters,
It is with great joy that I wish all Seychellois a happy new year 2020.
2019 marks the end of a decade for the world, a decade that saw Seychelles continue on a path of progress and transformation. In2019 alone, our flag flew very high on global development indexes. As a people, we remained united despite the challenges faced locally and internationally. I thank you all for this.
We end 2019 with two great achievements for our country. Firstly, data shows that our economic indicators are very strong. We ended the year as a country with a stable economy that is good health.
Secondly, we are classed as a country with a very high human development index, the only country in the African region and the Indian Ocean. The success our country is enjoying today is thanks to the hard work and devotion of each and every citizen toward the progress of our country – an extraordinary accomplishment for a small country. For this, I salute the Seychellois people. Thank you for your contribution.
Seychellois brothers and sisters, let us start 2020 with the same determination and enthusiasm, as we mark the start of a new decade.
Internationally, 2020 is the start of the final decade for all countries to join forces to work hard to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations.I call upon all Seychellois, each to their own capacity, to work together to achieve these objectives, that will allow us to live in a Seychelles that is better and a world that is better.
The World Health Organisation has also declared 2020 as the “Year of the Nurse and Midwife”. Here in Seychelles, almost all of us have been looked after by a nurse or midwife at one time. We need to continue to show them our appreciation for their vital role in providing health services in Seychelles and around the world. 2020 will also celebrate 250 years since the first settlers arrived in Seychelles. This will be a historic, unique and extraordinary moment for us all.
Yes Seychellois brothers and sisters, there is a lot for us to celebrate.
Our success has been safeguarded by political stability, peace in our country, our unity, and our collective dedication to secure Seychelles’ progress.
In 2020 we will hold presidential elections. It is the Seychellois people who will determine the outcome. Let us hold the elections in peace, in unity, in tranquillity and stability. We must never forget that Seychelles is bigger than us all.
Dear Seychellois brothers and sisters, our unity is the force of our country. Discipline and vision are the keys to progress. Let us stay determined, and let us concentrate on our vision for Seychelles. We need to maintain peace between each other. We need to do everything we can to nurture the unity of our country.
We have a bright and promising future ahead. Today, I am asking every Seychellois to work even harder. Let us all take our responsibilities seriously, either as a parent, as a worker or as a student – let us make good life decisions.
In unity and peace, and with discipline and determination, let us remain united for our country Seychelles, that will always be bigger than us all.
On behalf of myself and my family, I wish you all a very happy new year 2020, filled with peace, prosperity and joy.
May God continue to protect us and bless our beautiful country.
Happy new year.
