Meeting with founder, executive chairperson of the World Economic Forum |05 September 2019

President Faure (third left) and members of his delegation in a souvenir photo with Mr Schwab

President Faure discusses Seychelles’ economic, developmental challenges

Seychelles’ economic and developmental challenges, its effort to protect its environment and manage plastic waste were among various issues that President Danny Faure discussed yesterday morning in Cape Town, South Africa.

This was during talks with the founder and executive chairperson of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Klaus Schwab on the margins of the forum.

President Faure was accompanied by Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine Minister Didier Dogley, High Commissioner Marie-Antoinette Rose-Quatre, economic advisor Bertrand Belle and chief executive of the Nekton expedition Oliver Steeds.

During the meeting, President Faure highlighted the challenges Seychelles faces in spite of having attained marked economic and human development successes and being the first on the continent for these development milestones.

President Faure pointed out that the challenge today remains sustainable development mechanisms to continue to grow whilst preserving the environment. Discussions focused on Seychelles’ strategy to protect her marine and land spaces and the employment of modern technology to tackle challenges such as plastic waste management and the proper mapping of our ocean space in order to develop a sound management framework for the vast exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and ocean space which the country shares with her neighbours.

For his part, Mr Schwab commended Seychelles for taking the right approach in environment protection and for being a leader in sustainable development. It was noted that much can be learnt and shared from the Seychelles experience. Greater collaboration between Seychelles and the diverse platforms offered by the World Economic Forum is important in advancing the country’s domestic and foreign policy agenda, but more importantly by engaging in collaborative efforts to tackle modern day challenges which impede growth, development and progress.

President Faure is expected to address different forums on Africa's climate change challenges, regional integration, travel and tourism. He is also expected to deliver a speech on the challenges of development in the era of climate change. He will also hold several bilateral engagements with private entities, non-governmental organisations and development partners.

The World Economic Forum is a non-profit organisation which creates diverse platforms for discussions and engagements with global shapers such as political and business leaders.