President to attend Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week and the 13th Assembly of International Renewable Energy Agency   |13 January 2023

President Wavel Ramkalawan, at the invitation of His Highness, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, will attend the upcoming Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2023.

Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) is a global initiative championed by the UAE and its clean energy powerhouse Masdar to accelerate sustainable development and advance economic, social, and environmental progress.

Now in its 15th year, ADSW continues to drive global debate around climate action.

As the first major sustainability gathering of the year prior to COP28, it is leading the way towards a cleaner, greener future.

During his participation at ASDW 2023, President Ramkalawan will take part in an interactive dialogue alongside the President of the Republic of Palau, Surangel S. Whipps Jr., addressing key themes such as the impact of climate change on small nations, the importance of the COP process to small nations and examining what the country is doing to adapt to climate change as well as the importance of the multilateral process.

The Seychelles delegation will also participate in the thirteenth session of the International Renewable Energy Agency's (IRENA) Assembly in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on the margins of ADSW.

The Assembly, which will be held under the overarching theme ‘World Energy Transition – The Global Stocktake’, will bring together Heads of State and Government, ministers as well as key high-level officials.

The event will also be attended by energy decision-makers among its Membership and States-in-Accession, multilateral organisations, global stakeholders, and private actors.

Participants will take stock of operational plans and policies and highlight the concerted action undertaken to implement the energy transition required across countries, regions, and the world.

During his participation at this year’s ADSW, President Ramkalawan will also engage in various high-level sessions, addressing some of the pertinent issues related to small island developing states (Sids), climate change, and the energy transition in the coming decade and beyond.

Members of the Seychelles delegation for ADSW 2023 and IRENA also includes the Minister for Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment, Flavien Joubert; the principal secretary for Climate Change and Energy, Tony Imaduwa; the chief executive of the Public Utilities Corporation, Joel Valmont; the chief executive of the Seychelles Meteorological Authority, Vincent Amelie; and the acting chief executive of the Seychelles Energy Commission, Bernice Charles.

President Ramkalawan leaves the country today and during his absence, his duties and responsibilities will be discharged by Vice-President Ahmed Afif.

Press release from the Office of the President