President returns from successful overseas mission
21.11.2009
President James Michel returned home yesterday after attending the World Food Security Summit in Rome and paying a working visit to Lebanon.
He was met on his arrival by Vice-President Joseph Belmont and other high government officials.
Speaking to the press shortly afterwards, Mr Michel said it is regrettable that world leaders did not attend the summit, which came at a crucial moment when humanity is facing great challenges to produce enough food to feed its people, and when the threat of climate change is bearing down heavily on many countries.
The food summit saw some 60 developing countries taking part, while leaders of the rich industrialised nations chose to stay away.
Mr Michel said he believes it was important for world leaders to have made a special effort to attend the summit to address the issue of food security and climate change.
If these issues are not addressed urgently in a serious and concerted manner and given the necessary attention in terms of huge investment in food production, the world faces a serious catastrophe, he added.
In his address to the summit, Mr Michel stressed the fact that climate change and food security are closely linked – a point that was also clearly made by the UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon.
Despite the absence of rich countries, those that were present strongly voiced their concerns and emphasised the need for more investment in food production and in the transfer of technology and capacity to developing countries.
Mr Michel said the summit also stressed the fact that there has been enough talking and it is now time for more action. And he believes the summit has succeeded in calling attention to the need for this action.
The world statistics of hungry people are alarming, with thousands and thousands going without food every day and millions of children dying every year as a result of hunger, he added.
Commenting on his working visit to Lebanon, Mr Michel said he had fruitful discussions with his counterpart, General Michal Sleiman, on ways to strengthen relations and cooperation in various areas, and how the two countries could further support each other, especially at international forums.
The possibility of attracting Lebanese investment and tourism was also explored. He said he will call on the Seychelles Tourism Board to consider tapping into the Lebanese tourist market when it campaigns in the Gulf area, as it has great potential.
Mr Michel noted that his talks with the Lebanese parliament speaker Nabih Berri were also fruitful, with the latter expressing the desire to have more exchanges between the two countries’ parliaments.
The President was also invited to address the Lebanon 2020 National Summit in Beirut. This was attended by Lebanese entrepreneurs, government leaders, parliament members and Lebanese and foreign academics.
Mr Michel shared Seychelles’ experience in economic transformation, the management of environment preservation and development, sustainable tourism development and how investors are encouraged to honour their corporate social responsibilities.
He said the Lebanese were greatly interested in the uniqueness of our achievements in these areas.
“I believe the visit was a first step, and only the start of future fruitful cooperation between the two countries,” said Mr Michel.
As for the Most Innovative People Award (Natural Innovation) he received, Mr Michel said he dedicates it to the people of Seychelles because it is the “people of Seychelles who are working hard to build the modern Seychelles. It is recognition of our hard work and success achieved over the past 30 years and our success in working to put people at the centre of development”.
Commenting on the release of the Spanish fishing vessel Alakrana, which arrived in Port Victoria yesterday after its release by Somali pirates, Mr Michel expressed his joy at the safe release and said he joins the people of Seychelles in sharing the joy of the crew and their families.
Asked why the Alakrana chose to return to Port Victoria, Mr Michel said the Spanish government made the request as the vessel operated from here.
This reflects the fact that Port Victoria is safe and has become the hub of the fight against piracy, he added.
Mr Michel said Seychelles will continue to give its full support to those countries and organisations that are engaged in the fight against piracy.