Seychelles hosts 2nd meeting of small islands developing states (Sids) and expert consultative training workshop   |16 February 2023

Minister Ferrari addressing the gathering during the opening session of the workshop yesterday

Advancing the causes of Sids regionally and continentally

Following a first workshop that was held in August last year, a second meeting of the platform of small islands developing states (Sids) and expert consultative training workshop on negotiation skills is being held at the Berjaya Beau Vallon Resort & Casino from February 15-17, 2023.

Designated Minister Jean-François Ferrari, who is also the Minister for Fisheries and the Blue Economy, welcomed the representatives of the six member states – Mauritius, Comoros, Madagascar, Sao Tomé and Principe, Cabo Verde and Seychelles ‒ to the meeting and noted that the workshop brings together countries with the inherent vulnerabilities and dependence on the access and use of natural resources from the ocean.

“It is our sincere aim to advance our causes regionally and continentally through this platform, and we have agreed to do this together. We should learn from each other’s strength, as we have the same objectives to reduce poverty, increase food security and promote economic growth,” said Designated Minister Ferrari.

Mr Ferrari concluded by appealing to all member states to effectively take this opportunity to enhance their capacities and continue to support this initiative.

“In a world dominated by the interest of non-island developed states, there must be the endeavour to change this to one where the voices of small islands developing states (Sids) are effectively recognised, for ultimately it is in this alone that our progress lies,” he said.

Some of the specific objectives of the project is to ensure that Africa is represented and effectively participates in international fisheries and aquaculture fora.

In order to achieve that, AU member states, including Sids must have the capacity to negotiate on international level and there needs to be a mechanism in place to coordinate African common positions with several activities including: the identification of specific needs of African Sids and Madagascar and that these are taken into account in international fora; and the enhancement of capacities on international issues and organisation of specific training for pre-identified negotiators.

Additionally, the workshop seeks to consolidate the outcomes and recommendations of the first meeting that happened in August 2022 and to chart the way forward for strategic positions to ensure increased contributions to food and nutritional security, poverty alleviation and economic growth consistent with the Malabo Declaration that called for action on transformation of African agriculture by 2025.

Other specific objectives of the workshop include enhancing the capacities of AU-Sids and other pre-identified negotiators ‒ in terms of international negotiations; formulating a mechanism to coordinate African common positions and enhanced African voice at Global Fora for fisheries, aquaculture, aquatic biodiversity, environmental sustainability and climate change related regimes; enriching and validating the final report of the consultancy on identification of specific issues relevant to Sids and draft strategic positions and recommendations for the establishment/strengthening a platform of Sids); and enhancing awareness and building capacity among stakeholders on the importance of the various regimes, relevant provisions, challenges and mechanisms for effective role and participation in global regimes.

Some of the topics that will be covered during the workshop are introduction to negotiation skills, coordination in Africa’s Sids’ fisheries and aquaculture development, leadership and specialisation in negotiation skills, domestication of global instruments and initiatives and improved common position and enhanced voice to strengthen platform of African Sids in international fora.

Present at this workshop are representatives from Southern African Development Community (SADC); Regional Projects in Fisheries, Aquaculture and Blue Economy; Regional Sea Conventions (RSAs); African Union Centres of Excellence in Fisheries and Aquaculture (AU-COEs); Experts (Trainees and Trainers); AU-IBAR Consultants; Development Partners and relevant staff from the AU-IBAR.

Vidya Gappy

Photos: Joena Meme