Ramkalawan addresses milestone gathering on future of the Oceans

We publish below an important speech delivered by the President of Seychelles in Barcelona under the theme  “The Science we need for the Ocean we want”.

“Seychelles is engulfed in pride and a profound sense of responsibility as we navigate the fourth year of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development - a global initiative aimed at increasing our understanding, protection, and sustainable management of the oceans.Evidently, the Ocean Decade provides us with a convening framework forscientists and stakeholders from diverse sectors to develop the scientific knowledge and partnerships needed to accelerate and harness advances in ocean science.

As we gather here, it is crucial for us to acknowledge the significant strides made under the leadership of UNESCO's Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, which has been able to galvanize a global network of partners, uniting us in a common cause to deliver the science that will safeguard the precious blue expanse that connects us all.

Science offers new perspectives and promotes truth seeking. Whether we are scientists or not, the ways in which we carry out these scientific activities are of profound significance. They determine the quality of our decisions, the accuracy of our understanding, and ultimately, the quality of our lives. Most often, we are rarely aware of the assumptions that we make as we seek solutions to problems.

Therefore, identifying solutions through scientific research is most important as it helps us understand how things work. We need to understand how our ocean works and how we can make use of its resources for the betterment of our people. We believe,Seychelles believes,I believe, that science and scientific research are vital to ourd evelopment and survival.

However, we must also not neglect the social science aspect of this process. Indeed, we believe that people should be at the center of everything we do, especially where science is concerned.

I must say that Seychelles has embraced the Ocean Decade challenge with vigour. We have been able to set up our National Decade Committee which comprises of diverse members from various stakeholder groups, such as scientists, local and indigenous knowledge holders and early career ocean professionals, amongst others.

We want to empower stakeholders to engage, plan, and implement Decade Actions in a spirit of co-design and co-delivery.The commitment of Seychelles towards ocean science is deeply rooted in the understanding that the sustainable development of our blue economy hinges on unlocking the mysteries of the marine realm, and only the right kind of science can help us achieve this.

In this regard, Seychelles is walking the talk. Allow me to highlight some examples of our engagement in line with our efforts to promote scientific research to better understand our ocean:

For one, we have been placing emphasis on the integration of ocean literacy and sustainable ocean management into our school curriculum. We need to shape the minds of the next generation as early as possible if we want to promote research and development to ensure that they understand and appreciate not only what the ocean can do for them, but also what they can do for the ocean.

Only yesterday, the Monaco Explorations under the auspices of His Serene Highness Prince Albert organized the screening of the documentary entitled “saving paradise” which was a culmination of the Indian Ocean expedition of 2023.

• President Ramkalawan with the Prince of Monaco to his left

This scientific expedition was significantly dedicated to the multidisciplinary investigation of the Aldabra atoll and the Saya de Malha bank. During this research mission many specimens were studied, lost species were re-discovered and new species were also potentially discovered.

I must notet hat 18 Seychellois scientists had the opportunity to be part of this expedition, underlying our commitment to ensure that our very own scientists, especially young early career scientists also benefit from the research opportunities happening in our ocean space.

In addition, the Ocean X expedition, a collaborative partnership between the Seychelles Government, and Ocean X launched a first expedition in January 2024 in the Seychelles waters. Its mission was to support scientists to explore the Ocean and to bring it back to the world through captivating media and in doing so protect the oceans in order to drive positive change.

The expedition also addressed the gaps in the systematic collection of benthic data, which will allow for a comprehensive understanding of biodiversity patterns and how they vary with location and depth.

Furthermore, the Blue Economy Research Institute (BERI) under theUniversity of Seychelles has also seized the opportunity to engage with the Ocean decade action through the Virtual Coastal and Marine Museum for Sustainable Ocean Education in the Western Indian Ocean project endorsed by IOC of UNCESCO.

This online platform will provide educational materials, videos, audio and other useful marine education focused on SIDS and the WIO region.

Also, last but not least, in March this year, the National Assembly of Seychelles gave its stamp of approval to the ratification of the Biological Diversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Treaty, also known as the high seas treaty. The ratification signaled Seychelles as the third country to ratify this very important treaty and the first in Africa.

I would like to reiterate that by investing in science and research, implementing effective policies, and promoting sustainable practices, we will ensure that our oceans remain a thriving and diverse ecosystem that supports both human and ocean well-being.

The Ocean Decade beckons us to chart a course towards a future where our oceans flourish, our communities thrive, and our shared commitment to sustainability resonates globally.

So, let us set joint priorities for the future; the kinds that are rooted in the science we need, in collaboration, through innovation, and a shared vision for a resilient and thriving blue planet.