PS Confait takes part in Commonwealth’s ICT and Innovation Open Day |31 July 2019
Dr Confait addressing the gathering at the Open Day
The principal secretary for Foreign Affairs, Dr Marina Confait, took part in the Commonwealth Secretariat’s ICT and Innovation Open Day, based on Leveraging Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Innovation for the benefit of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), on July 29, 2019 at the Marlborough House in London.
The Open Day highlighted the importance of science, technology and innovation and their role in maintaining good governance and sustainable development.
Dr Confait’s presentation entitled ‘Innovation in Action’, gave an insight into Seychelles’ innovative approaches for economic growth to achieve the SDGs.
“Protecting the planet is everybody’s business and we, in Seychelles, take climate change seriously. We have been very vocal and have taken concrete actions to help mitigate it. These actions come at a high cost and since we have graduated to a high income country, with all its associated limitations, we find it necessary to continuously explore innovative ways to finance our efforts,” Dr Confait said.
Dr Confait went on to highlight some of the innovative approaches taken by Seychelles, namely the ‘Sovereign Blue Bonds’ which provide financing for marine and ocean related activities that contribute to sustainable fisheries practices, the ‘debt-for-nature swap’ which is part of the greater Marine Spatial Plan and most recently the ‘Nekton Expedition’, in support for greater ocean protection and a sustainable Blue Economy.
The principal secretary took the opportunity to invite Commonwealth member states to join the Marine Protected Areas Action Group of the Commonwealth Blue Charter which Seychelles is championing.
Seychelles featured prominently during the Open Day with references to the successful ‘Commonwealth Africa Innovation Ecosystem Workshop’ held here last month and through the presentation made by Nekton who also participated in the event.
High Commissioner Derick Ally accompanied Dr Confait at the event.