Launch of second OGP Action plan 2024-2025 and National Integrity Coalition Platform |02 March 2024
Stakeholders and guests in a souvenir photograph after the ceremony
Five areas chosen for the year
The second Open Government Partnership National Action Plan for 2024-2025 and the National Integrity Coalition Platform were launched yesterday morning at State House by Vice-President Ahmed Afif.
The second OGP National Action Plan identifies five areas for collaboration between government, civil society, and private organisations.
During the ceremony, the formal establishment of the National Integrity Coalition was marked by the signing of a memorandum of understanding by pivotal independent state institutions.
“This action plan reaffirms Seychelles' commitment to the principles upheld by the OGP, emphasising transparency, inclusivity, and participatory decision-making,” noted VP Afif.
Seychelles, which joined the OGP in 2018 through the World Bank, is among the 79 countries endorsing good governance.
In December 2023, the Seychelles cabinet of ministers reviewed seven potential areas for inclusion in the Seychelles National OGP Action Plan. Of these, five areas received approval from the cabinet where they emphasised the importance of aligning these initiatives with the democratic principles of good governance and human rights.
The five approved areas, forming the core of the second National Action Plan for 2024-2025, are:
● Continuing the implementation of the Fisheries Transparency Initiative (FiTI) to enhance transparency and sustainability in the fisheries sector. Phillipe Michaud will be responsible for this initiative.
● Establishing a National Integrity Coalition to foster a collaborative environment for advancing governance reforms. This effort will be coordinated by Georges Robert.
● Promoting Digital Transformation and Connecting People to bridge digital divides and enhance citizen access to services. Elizabeth Agathine, principal secretary in the Economic Planning department, will lead this endeavour.
● Developing an Employee Wellness and Empowerment Policy to improve workplace environments and employee well-being. Doris Esther, from the Public Service Bureau, will coordinate this initiative.
● Managing alcohol consumption to cultivate a healthier and more productive populace. Principal secretary for Trade, Francis Lebon, will oversee this effort.
The first action plan was in 2019 with four commitments – strengthening public participation in the budget process (budget is aired and public are able to participate in public debate); implementation of an access to Information Act (citizen has now a legal framework to seek for information that is relevant to them); the implementation of a Fisheries Transparency Initiative (this ensured that people knew about the agreements, the revenues and how the funds were used) and the fourth one was the creation of an E-engagement platform (people had access to decisions that were taken online).
“To a large extent, we have achieved almost all the commitments, and the second action plan essentially represents Seychelles' commitment on the international stage to collaborate with civil society, academia, the private sector, and other stakeholders in finding and implementing innovative and sustainable solutions to societal challenges,” shared VP Afif.
National Integrity Coalition Platform
The second commitment, in particular, focuses on the Creation of a National Integrity Coalition. This initiative envisions a unified effort among key independent state institutions like the Anti-Corruption Commission of Seychelles, Constitutional Appointments Authority, Electoral Commission, Information Commission, Media Commission, Office of the Ombudsman, Public Service Appeal Board, and Seychelles Human Rights Commission. Together, they aim to engage a broad spectrum of community stakeholders in advancing governance reforms.
Ombudsman Nichole Tirant-Ghérardi provided a thorough summary of the National Integrity Coalition, emphasising its dedication to fortifying democracy within the framework of respective institutions.
“With unwavering determination, representatives of independent state institutions gathered to express our commitment to and demonstrate our engagement in establishing a National Integrity Coalition – a platform dedicated to fortifying the foundations of democracy within the framework of our respective institutions,” emphasised the Ombudsman.
The NICP will function as a beacon of integrity, empowering independent state institutions to safeguard the democratic principles upon which the nation stands.
The mechanisms include the Institutional Strengthening Mechanism, which commits Seychelles to fostering collaboration and coordination among the Parties to bolster the effectiveness of its mandates.
The Civil Society engagement Mechanism through which NICP will develop avenues for meaningful dialogue and participation between the parties and civil society, is to ensure informed governance.
The Government Engagement and Systemic review mechanism is designed to promote effective engagement between the Parties and the Government thereby safeguarding the integrity of our constitutional structure and governance systems.
Before the end of the ceremony, eight individuals signed the Declaration of Intent for the National Integrity Coalition, including Justice Bernardin Renaud, chairperson of the Seychelles Human Rights Commission; Brian Julie, chairperson of the Public Service Appeal Board; Michel Felix, chairperson of the Constitutional Appointments Authority; Nichole Tirant-Gherardi, Ombudsman; Denis Joubert, deputy Commissioner of the Anti-Corruption Commission of Seychelles; Patrick Hoareau, Commissioner of the Electoral Commission; Mumtaz Hassan, Chief Information Commissioner of the Information Commission; and Ibrahim Afif, chief executive officer of the Media Commission.
The ceremony was graced by the presence of President Wavel Ramkalawan, the Speaker of the National Assembly, high officials from the government and also the diplomatic corps.
Vidya Gappy
Photo: Joena Meme