UN resident coordinator pays courtesy call on Minister Radegonde |17 November 2021

Mrs Umutoni and her delegation in a souvenir photograph with Minister Radegonde and his team from the foreign affairs department

United Nations resident coordinator for Seychelles and Mauritius, Christine Umutoni, paid a courtesy call on Minister Sylvestre Radegonde on Monday November 15, 2021, at Maison Quéau de Quinssy.

Mrs Umutoni was accompanied by Dr Teniin Gakuruh, World Health Organisation (WHO) representative, Dr Jude Padayachy, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/Aids (UNAids) country director for the Indian Ocean, and Alexander Mancham, United Nations coordination officer for Mauritius and Seychelles.

Minister Radegonde welcomed Mrs Umutoni and her delegation and expressed the government’s gratitude for all the assistance provided to Seychelles through its various agencies over the years.

The minister then briefed the United Nations resident coordinator (UNRC) of the government’s approach for reviving the economy and rebuilding after Covid-19.

He noted that the government’s bold decision to reopen its borders in March 2021 has resulted in a shift in the right direction for the Seychelles economy. This is reflected in the tourism sector, with “at least 1,000 visitors coming in per day and Seychelles is seeing an increase in flights coming in, this is a sign that everything is gradually getting back to normal,” said Minister Radegonde.

According to the UNRC, part of her mission in Seychelles is to personally deliver a congratulatory message from the secretary general of the United Nations (UNSG), António Guterres, to the President of the Republic of Seychelles, Wavel Ramkalawan, following the presidential election results of October 2020. She also congratulated Minister Radegonde on his appointment as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism.

On behalf of the UNSG, Mrs Umutoni also expressed the appreciation for the peaceful transition of power from one president to another, highlighting that Seychelles is a model for other countries.

Other topics discussed included Seychelles’ successful vaccination campaign against Covid-19, Seychelles’ leadership in the blue economy, a vulnerability index that takes into account the specificities of small island states, like Seychelles, which are vulnerable to climate change and other vulnerabilities but still categorised as a high income country.

As part of her mission, she discussed the review of the existing UN-Seychelles Strategic Partnership Framework (2019 – 2023) and the Socio Economic Response Plan (SERP). The meeting ended on a positive note, with both parties pledging to continue regular consultations and support.

Also present at the meeting were principal secretary for foreign affairs, Ambassador Vivianne Fock Tave, director general for multilateral affairs, Amenda Padayachy and third secretary, Patricia Ilunga.

Press release from the department of foreign affairs