Nairobi, Kenya: Speaking at the Governors and Mayors Convention yesterday, President Danny Faure gave Seychelles’ commitment to work with Small Island Developing States and other African countries to develop their own blue economies by sharing its experiences.

Speaking at the Convention at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre, as part of the event of the Global Conference on Sustainable Blue Economy, the President also offered Seychelles’ assistance to cities and provinces in the region, saying, “We are also committed to working with communities at the grassroots level, including cities, municipalities and provinces, to help raise awareness on the Blue Economy and its importance to Africa’s development.”

“The success of this mission relies not only on Governors and Mayors, but also civil society, academic institutions, and the business community.  We all need to work together to harness the potential of our oceans and waterways, to make them healthier, more secure and more prosperous, for our current and future generations,” he said.

He added, “One of the prerequisites for success of the blue economy agenda is collaboration. Collaboration at the national, regional and international levels. We thank the critical role that partners have played in this process in the past, and whilst we organise ourselves as a Union to be more self-reliant, we urge the more affluent partners to continue their collaboration with us”.

There were also remarks and leaders’ commitments from President Kenyatta, Governor of Nairobi, Mike Sonko, Deputy Secretary-General, United Nations, Amina Mohammed, USG and Executive Director, UN-HABITAT, Maimunah Mohd Sharif and Agricultural Economist and former UN Under-Secretary-General, Hon. Dr Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella.