Ramkalawan calls for capacity-building help at Oceans Conference in Greece

Seychelles President Ramkalawan highlighted the need for Seychelles and other developing countries to receive capacity-building assistance to develop domestic processes that will enable the High Seas treaty's rapid implementation.

The President is leading a high level delegation from Seychelles at the 9th Our Ocean Conference in Athens, Greece. 

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.

This annual event was first launched in 2014 under the initiative of the U.S. Department of State, with the aim to fill in the then-existing gap in global ocean governance.

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, 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 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.

• President Wavel Ramkalawan with the, Oliver Steeds is the Chief Executive and Founder of Nekton, and Director of Ocean Census and the Principal Secretary for the Blue Economy, Mrs Philianne Ernesta

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.

• President with Seychelles delagation.(L) Gabriella Gonthier of Blue Economy Dept, and (R) PS Ernesta

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.