Seychelles provides inputs into UN’s sustainable development goals |09 June 2015

Steve Lalande, a consultant in development projects, member of CDWS and chairperson of the Seychelles Community Training Institute (Secti) was selected from global civil society speakers experienced in addressing development issues to address the United Nations General Assembly on the Sustainable Development Goals.

The meeting was held on May 26-27, 2015 in New York. The SDGs is a precursor to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGS). The hearings was organised by the President of the 69th session of the General Assembly and was presided over by Denise G. Antoine, the permanent representative of Grenada to the UN.

Also facilitating the meeting, the Kenyan permanent representative to the UN, Macharia Kamau said that the event was a unique occasion where civil society, stakeholder groups and the private sector are consulted by the UN General Assembly in the final draft of the SDGs.

“It was an honour to stand representing Seychelles at the podium of the United Nations General Assembly and address high level representatives about the issues facing small islands developing states. The SDG is an important framework which will guide development efforts of governments and development organisations across the world. As the era of the MDGs end and that of the SDGs begin, the global situation has profoundly evolved, characterised by geopolitical turmoil; food, social, economic, financial and environmental crises; and growing urbanisation. Therefore the SDGs should not just be about the unfinished agenda of the MDGs but it is fitting that it aims higher through several goals and targets that are comprehensive in nature and create obligations for all States.
 I was able to pass a strong message to states and international organisations which was recorded and will be published as a report to be used for completing the final processes with the intergovernmental negotiations for the SDGS, which is expected to formally come into being in September 2015 adopted by the UN Heads of States meeting,” said Mr Lalande.

In his address, Mr Lalande emphasised that with the turmoil happening in the world right now, peace and security are of major concern for the citizens, especially those living in hotspots and that sustainable development cannot take root in environments encompassing crisis and war.

“A development model based on over-exploitation of natural resources, the pollution of the earth’s waters, seas and oceans, of our soil and of our air, has caused devastating effects on our environment and in particular on the people of the global South. This is why it is necessary to rethink and review the development paradigm so that it is not only related to the idea of economic growth but also balanced with an approach combining sustainable development, eradication of poverty and reduction of inequalities. The earth contains more water than land mass. The oceans are important spaces for sustainable development, therefore SDG goal 14 which states: ‘Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development’ makes a lot of sense. For this goal, the development of the Blue economy concept being pioneered by small islands developing states including Seychelles is a good example of a blue print for sustainable use of the ocean. I recommended that the Blue economy be integrated into the SDG action plans and targets,” he said.

Mr Lalande also urged governments to adopt effective monitoring and accountability mechanisms that are inclusive for monitoring the implementation of the SDGs.

“Seychelles, one of the developing countries whichhas been identified as having met most of the MDGs is where I sat on the national MDG steering committee that brought together the various sectors. The committee proved useful in synergising efforts of the country’s development actors. It is recommended that such a mechanism made up of government, private sector and civil society representatives be established in each country. In fact I strongly believe that public policy or legal frameworks should exist to make this happen.”

Mr Lalande also reiterated the call by the Seychelles Head of State, President James Michel for introducing a sustainability index which will make the measurability of the monitoring and assessment processes more effective.