President James Michel met with the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Ban Ki-moon in the margins of the Organisation's General Assembly on Tuesday.

President Michel spoke with the Secretary General with regards to the state of affairs governing the world and mapped out his vision for the continued relevance of United Nations Organisation in a rapidly changing world.

Mr. Michel remarked that Seychelles very much believed in the principles of the UN charter which remain relevant even as the United Nations commemorates its 70th anniversary. He said that he is confident that Mr. Ban Ki-moon would steer the UN through another year of progressive dialogue and give overall guidance.

In view of the 70th anniversary of the Organisation, President Michel urged that the international community renew the spirit of the Charter, and more importantly reinvigorate it in light of the trend of our times and the needs of the modern world.

Seychelles has been at the forefront in advocating solutions to problems faced by Small Island Developing States.  As such, President Michel expressed his gratitude to the Secretary General for his support in that endeavour.

President Michel further added that climate change has become the foremost security challenge for SIDS. Although the SIDS community continues to be one of the smallest contributors to global emissions, small islands are the most vulnerable to the adverse effects of the phenomenon.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon shared President Michel's hope that a binding agreement on climate change would emerge from the Paris Conference in Paris at the end of this year.

President Michel also expressed his desire that the global community unite in the effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, he called on all developed countries to fulfill their commitments for the mobilisation of $100 billion annually by 2020 for the operationalization of the Green Climate Fund (GCF).

President Michel briefed the Secretary-General on the Blue Economy which Seychelles is spearheading to protect its greatest natural resources- the ocean- and derive benefit from it for its people.

On his part Secretary General Ban Ki-moon spoke about the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and hoped that concrete action would be taken in order to achieve its primary objectives. He expressed his desire that in the year 2030 when stock is taken, the world can safely assert that all points within the Agenda were adequately satisfied.