Seychelles honorary consuls conference ends with high hopes and united vision   |29 October 2022

Minister Radegonde (inset) speaking during the closing of the conference yesterday (Photos: Louis Toussaint)

The Seychelles honorary consuls conference ended yesterday at the Savoy Resort & Spa   with high expectations and united vision on the way forward for the country.

After three days of conference and visits, yesterday all the consuls accompanied by the nine ambassadors, the department of Foreign Affairs and the Minister for Foreign Affairs & Tourism, Sylvestre Radegonde, concluded the meeting.

The minister seized the opportunity on behalf of the government and President Wavel Ramkalawan to acknowledge the consuls’ valuable collaboration in the defence of the country’s interests, the constant promotion of its image and protection of the Seychellois diaspora located in their respective consular districts.

“With this new administration we are not working in a vacuum. There was a government before and we are just picking up from where the last one left and we are carrying on with certain tweaking and adjustments as we go along. You are all Seychellois, even if you do not have a passport and we know you will continue to work to put Seychelles forward.”

Minister Radegonde also acknowledged the suggestions from the consuls and he stated now we have to deliver on the various commitments, undertakings we have made together.

“One of the things we will do will be to have a data list of all the competencies of each one of you so that we can better serve the community. You have seen the needs in our districts and whatever commitments you made, we hope they will be realised before the two years. Another field that is important for Seychelles is education and training. If wherever you are you can get us a scholarship that will be great.”

Already the consuls were working to promote the blue economy and tourism and this will continue to be their main activities in their jurisdiction. On top of that they will also promote investments in Seychelles.

“Thank you for taking care of our Seychellois and continue to encourage our people. Please keep liaising with our headquarters if there is any problem,” concluded Minister Radegonde.

The dean of the honorary consuls, Juan Gaspard Solves, thanked the government of Seychelles for organising such an event where all the consuls got the same vision.

“It was great to see our big family. We have talked about different issues and we have learnt from the experience of others.”

The principal secretary for Foreign Affairs, Vivianne Fock-Tave, stated that the active contributions during the meeting have indeed enriched their vision on how to move forward, taking into account the challenges that we are all facing post-Covid.

“The highlight of the conference was the visits to your respective adopted districts, bringing you closer to the Seychellois people, understanding the challenges of the communities and assisting you on how to engage with international partners to advocate the challenges we face as a small island developing state.”

PS Fock-Tave also thanked the consuls and encouraged them to promote cooperation and to enhance the visibility of Seychelles.

The conference ended with a Creole night.

Vidya Gappy

Photos: Louis Toussaint