Seychelles and Australia underline blue economy perspectives in bilateral partnership |19 September 2014

Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Paul Adam and Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop have identified opportunities for Seychelles and Australia to strengthen their blue economy partnership.

This was at the meeting in Mauritius during the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) high-level dialogue on maritime security and the ocean economy.

Minister Adam emphasised that Australia represented a country that had successfully mobilised its maritime potential for its development, and provided a tangible example for countries of the region to build on.

Minister Bishop also underlined that Australia was willing to engage with Indian Ocean small island developing states such as Seychelles to build durable partnerships that unlock the potential of islands to become “large ocean nations” – recognising that their strengths lie very much in the vast exclusive economic zones of Sids such as Seychelles.

A key challenge in particular for Sids remains sustainable energy, and Australia is pioneering technology to tap into this form of energy that can be provided through oceanic waves. Seychelles was keen to harness this type of energy.

Minister Adam also thanked Australia for its support to the regional intelligence sharing initiative, REFLECS3 based in Seychelles and to which it has deployed an officer.

The ministers also recognised the great economic opportunities that exist to be developed, illustrated by Perth-based WHL’s efforts with regards to petroleum exploration. They also underlined the contribution made to both countries development by the Seychellois diaspora based in Australia.