Athens, Greece, Tuesday 16th April 2024: A high level delegation from Seychelles, headed by the President of the Republic of Seychelles, Mr Wavel Ramkalawan, is currently attending the 9th Our Ocean Conference being held in Athens, Greece.
This annual event was first launched under the initiative of the U.S. Department of State in 2014, with the aim to fill in the then-existing gap in global ocean governance. The Our Ocean Conference provides an opportunity for ocean leaders and stakeholders to discuss and address ocean related challenges as well as to demonstrate ocean conservation leadership by making policy, science, funding, partnership, and collaboration commitments that will set a path to a sustainable future.
During a high level event held this afternoon, co-organized by a number of Governments and International Organizations such as the European Union and IUCN amongst others, President Wavel Ramkalawan highlighted the significance Seychelles attaches to the Treaty of Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) which rekindles hope for a healthy ocean, planet, and human life. The Agreement which balances the protection of marine biodiversity with opportunities for scientific discovery and sustainable development, signifies an advancement in global collaboration and exemplifies our collaborative effort for the well-being of the entire globe. It expresses a common vision for a future in which our ocean's biodiversity is valued, protected, and used sustainably for the benefit of current and future generations.
President Ramkalawan equally stipulated that the race for the ratification of the BBNJ Treaty is the perfect example of how, by working together around the world, action to deliver the SDGs can be accelerated and achieved. In addition, he proudly informed the meeting that Seychelles has ratified the BBNJ Treaty making it the first country in Africa to do so. President Ramkalawan concluded by stating that Seychelles and other developing countries require capacity-building assistance to develop domestic processes that will enable the treaty's rapid implementation.
The meeting witnessed the participation of various Heads of States, Ministers, Ambassadors and Experts within the realm of Ocean Governance. Also present from the Seychelles side were representatives of the Department of Blue Economy.
Click below to read the full intervention by President Wavel Ramkalawan:
