President Herminie engages Seychellois community in the UAE |17 January 2026
President Patrick Herminie met with members of the Seychellois community in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on January 14, during a community engagement event held on the margins of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2026.
The gathering brought together Seychellois citizens living, working, and studying in the UAE, offering a valuable opportunity for direct dialogue with the Head of State.
An estimated 437 Seychellois currently reside in the UAE, employed mainly in aviation, tourism, health, entrepreneurship, and related service sectors. Some have lived in the country for more than two decades, reflecting a well-established and integrated diaspora presence.
In his address, President Herminie highlighted the importance of maintaining strong ties between Seychelles and its diaspora, stressing that Seychellois abroad remain an integral part of the nation’s social and economic fabric.
He commended the community for projecting a positive image of Seychelles internationally and for their contributions to the UAE economy, particularly in hospitality, tourism, and aviation.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Barry Faure, also spoke at the event, outlining the mandate of the newly established Diaspora Division within the ministry.
He explained that the division will review existing frameworks and reassess policies, legislation, and regulations to facilitate the return and reintegration of Seychellois abroad, while strengthening mechanisms for diaspora contributions to national development. These reforms will be guided by an Inter-Ministerial Diaspora Council, tasked with examining issues raised by Seychellois overseas and recommending policy and legislative changes to Cabinet. The minister emphasised that diaspora engagement is now a strategic national priority and encouraged active participation in upcoming consultations.
The meeting also acknowledged Seychellois students in the UAE, currently numbering 16, most of whom are government-funded. Students welcomed the recent increase in stipends, particularly in light of the high cost of living in cities such as Dubai.
Organised by the Seychelles embassy in the UAE under the leadership of Ambassador Gervais Moumou, the event reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to structured and sustained engagement with Seychellois abroad. It also underscored the government’s resolve to create enabling conditions for those wishing to return home or contribute to national development through skills transfer, investment, and knowledge-sharing.
Press release from the Office of the President