16 January 2025 | State House.
Excellencies,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is a great privilege to stand before you today at the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week Summit, representing Seychelles, a proud Small Island Developing State with a vision for sustainability.
This Summit is an opportunity for Seychelles to share its experiences, its challenges, and its aspirations with global leaders, innovators, and changemakers who are united here in Abu Dhabi by a shared commitment to sustainability.
Allow me to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, for the kind invitation to participate in this distinguished forum. I also extend my deep appreciation to the organisers of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week for creating a platform where collaboration, innovation, and bold ideas converge to address the pressing challenges of our time.
Seychelles is a small island nation of unparalleled beauty, a haven for biodiversity, and a beacon of sustainable development. Our pristine beaches, vibrant marine ecosystems, and endemic species represent not only a treasure for our people but a shared heritage for all of humanity. Yet, this paradise faces existential threats from a crisis to which we have contributed almost nothing: climate change.
Rising sea levels and ocean warming are devastating our marine ecosystems. Coral reefs, vital to our food security, tourism, and cultural identity, are bleaching and dying. Fragile ecosystems like our seagrass meadows, which store millions of tons of carbon dioxide, are at risk. For the people of Seychelles, the ocean is more than just a resource; it is our lifeline, our identity, and our legacy.
As a Small Island Developing State (SIDS), Seychelles is the smallest African country in terms of landmass. Despite its size, Seychelles is a global environmental champion renowned for its commitment to biodiversity conservation and as host of two UNESCO World Heritage sites. Remarkably, 50% of Seychelles’ terrestrial areas and 32% of its marine areas are under protection, showcasing its dedication to preserving natural resources.
However, Seychelles faces unique challenges due to its limited readily available land, constrained by its topography. This limitation significantly impacts the country’s ability to expand renewable energy infrastructure. As part of its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), Seychelles has pledged to integrate 15% renewable energy into its energy mix by 2030, leveraging the abundance of sunshine throughout the year. Achieving a higher ambition of renewable energy with current technologies in Seychelles is a challenge due to the scarcity of land. Yet, we are following development in technology, and with the help of Abu Dhabi, we are exploring floating PV plants and developing a wind turbine farm that would produce around 20MV of elctricity. Such projects will be a game changer.
Seychelles has long stood as a beacon of innovation in ocean governance and marine conservation. From pioneering the world’s first sovereign Blue Bonds to implementing the groundbreaking Debtfor-Nature Swap, our nation has consistently demonstrated that small islands can lead big initiatives. These financial mechanisms have not only helped us protect vital marine ecosystems but also positioned Seychelles as a global leader in sustainable ocean management.
Recognising the potential of these mechanisms, Seychelles is now exploring ways to adapt them to mitigate some of the risks associated with marine renewable energy development. This will make investments in the sector more viable, helping us achieve our goal of sustainability and energy security.
Today, as we gather under the theme “The Nexus of Next: Supercharging Sustainable Progress,” we are called to envision how Seychelles’ innovative spirit can further accelerate the development of marine renewable energy while preserving the health of our oceans.
With the world’s attention turning to cleaner energy sources, the ocean offers immense potential. Technologies like offshore wind farms, tidal energy, and floating photovoltaic systems are advancing at an unprecedented pace. Seychelles, with its vast exclusive economic zone and rich marine biodiversity, has a unique opportunity to harness these innovations to meet our energy security needs.
However, this opportunity comes with a profound responsibility. Seychelles is not just a custodian of its waters but a steward of a global marine heritage. Our seagrass meadows, coral reefs, and mangroves are not only critical carbon sinks but also sanctuaries for countless marine species. Balancing energy development with marine conservation requires a careful, science-driven approach.
By aligning energy infrastructure development with comprehensive environmental assessments, we aim to safeguard the ecosystems that underpin our Blue Economy.
Moreover, beyond energy security and environmental stewardship, we strongly believe that the transition to a Blue Economy must deliver inclusive benefits for our people, particularly for coastal communities that depend on traditional marine livelihoods. For Seychelles, the Blue Economy is not merely an abstract concept; it is a vision of equitable development where no one is left behind.
We therefore aspire to ensure that marine renewable energy projects include opportunities for local capacity-building, job creation, and community engagement. Coastal communities, often the first to experience the impacts of climate change, must also be the first to benefit from solutions that build resilience.
Ladies and gentlemen, Seychelles’ journey demonstrates that innovation and conservation are not opposing forces—they are complementary.
At this 2025 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, we are reminded that the future of sustainability lies at the nexus of bold innovation, collective action, and a shared commitment to leaving no one behind.
As I conclude, let us reflect on the words of Sylvia Earle, a renowned marine biologist and oceanographer and a dear friend, who once said: “With every drop of water you drink, every breath you take, you’re connected to the sea. No matter where on Earth you live.”
These words remind us that the ocean is not only the heartbeat of Seychelles but also crucial for the well-being of our planet
Our aspirations for a sustainable and inclusive Blue Economy are not just for ourselves, they are for the generations to come and for a healthier planet.
Together, let us work to turn these aspirations into reality. Seychelles stands ready to continue leading by example, proving that small nations can inspire global change.
With unity, innovation, and determination, I believe that our shared vision for a brighter future will be achieved.
Thank You.
