Seychelles represented at ‘Our Ocean Conference 2022’ in Palau |21 April 2022

Ms Ernesta (second right) and Ms Bodwell (third right) at the Sids Global Business Network (SGBN) forum

Seychelles was represented at the ‘Our Ocean Conference 2022’ under the theme ‘Our Ocean, Our People, Our Prosperity’ as well as the Small Island Developing States Global Business Network Forum  held in Koror, Palau from April 12-14.

Sids Youth AIMS Hub (SYAH) Seychelles outgoing president, Axelle Bodwell and the director general of the blue economy department, Phillianne Ernesta took part in the discussions at the forum and conference respectively.

The Sids Global Business Network (SGBN) forum held on April 12 recognised the importance of the ocean as a cross-cutting sector for sustainable development in small island developing states (Sids) and their recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. The forum shared best practices and lessons learned in support of private sector partnerships.

The forum also focused on ocean partnerships to enhance resilience in the following thematic areas: tourism and Covid-19 recovery; and blue economy and ocean energy.

Ms Bodwell represented the youth of Seychelles at both the Sids Global Business Network (SGBN) forum held alongside ‘the ‘Our Ocean Conference’.

She was one of the panelists under the thematic area blue economy alongside Dr Sandra Grant from the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism, Keith Mesebeluu a fisherman from the MAFE Bureau of Fisheries in Palau, and Jaap Van Hierden, the United Nations resident coordinator for Micronesia.

Ms Bodwell raised the importance for young people to be represented at all levels of discussion, be it nationally or internationally.

“We, as young people, play an important role in the implementation, monitoring and review of the blue economy and climate change agenda as we will hold our government accountable for their actions,” said Ms Bodwell.

She equally shared her non-governmental organisation’s (NGO) success in the implementation of its fourth edition of the blue economy internship programme and how other Sids should do the same to stimulate the interest of young people to take up careers in the blue economy or related fields.

She noted that by seeing firsthand the nature and scope of these career opportunities they can work with blue economy experts to take the right academic and professional steps to undertake these careers.

Ms Bodwell added that the programme raised awareness on ocean issues and allowed Seychellois youth to appreciate the many resources which can be obtained from the ocean. She concluded by stating that fostering an entrepreneurship spirit in young people also encourages innovation in business models used in the blue economy.

“Through the use of technology, young people are able to tap into previously untapped markets and further develop the blue economy sector,” she shared.

The two Seychellois delegates then attended the conference on April 13 and 14. The conference included several panel discussions allowing them to learn from key blue economy experts under the following themes: confronting the ocean climate crisis, creating sustainable blue economies, advancing marine protected areas for communities, ecosystems, and climate and tackling marine pollution.

The President of Palau, Surangel Whipps Jr. said in his opening speech that “we are past negotiations for commitments, it is time to address the ocean climate crisis, the time is now, and the place is Palau.”

The conference also featured a powerful intervention by the United States special presidential envoy for climate change, John Kerry who emphasised that “we cannot solve the ocean issues without addressing the climate problem.”

The conference concluded with various organisations making financial commitments to assist Sids in dealing with ocean issues as well as further commitments aimed at delivering bold, measurable and impactful actions to promote and protect the health of oceans.

To date, there have been over a thousand commitments from governments, civil society bodies and businesses in over 70 countries.

The next ocean conference will be held in Panama in 2023 under the theme ‘Our Ocean, Our Connection’.

Contributed