Seychelles hosts key meeting on healthier coasts
07.07.2009
Healthy and well-managed marine and coastal ecosystems are the most resilient environments and can best adapt to the impact of major disasters, principal secretary for environment Didier Dogley said yesterday.
He was speaking at the launch of the fifth Regional Steering Committee meeting of Mangroves for the Future (MFF) – a group that promotes investment in coastal ecosystems, mainly in Indian Ocean countries affected by the 2004 tsunami.
Set up by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the MFF – which stresses the strong link between natural ecosystems and human livelihoods – was launched in 2006 by former United States President Bill Clinton on Phuket island, Thailand, in response to the disastrous tsunami.
It is founded on a vision of healthier coasts, ecosystems and communities in the Indian Ocean.
It operates in partnership with national governments, UN agencies, non-governmental organisations, community organisations and the private sector through which a set of 15 programmes of work specifically designed to address long-term sustainable management are carried out. They are overseen by the steering committee and national coordinating bodies to ensure successful in-country running.
Present at yesterday’s opening ceremony ¬at the Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay Resort were UNDP resident representative and resident coordinator for Mauritius and Seychelles Claudio Caldarone, Asian regional director for the IUCN Aban Marker Kabraji, Ecology Sustainable Development regional practice team leader Martin Krause and special adviser for environment in the President’s Office Dr Rolph Payet.
Mr Dogley described the working session as a cornerstone in running the MFF work programme.
He advised the committee to review the progress of the programme so far and to consider the outstanding work plan clearly to ensure it delivers on its objectives and makes a real difference to the lives of the people.
He praised the efforts of the MFF in addressing some of the threats and challenges that coastal ecosystems are facing.
These, he said, are unique initiatives that bring together partners regionally and nationally to restore ecosystems and improve livelihoods in severely degraded coastal zones. They also integrate ecosystem concerns into development processes at local and national level, he added.
In the local context, Mr Dogley said the efforts are very important to the country as we near the final phase of the environment management plan, which is also our coastal zone and sustainable development plan.
He also said the government recognises the impact of sea-level rise on the country’s low-lying islands.
“In 2007, President James Michel announced the inauguration of the Sea Level Rise Foundation, and Seychelles is proud to be the pioneer of this initiative in which the MFF is welcome as a partner,” he added.
During the four-day session, delegates from 13 countries will discuss future plans of the MFF.
They will also summarise achievements and lessons learned, while looking ahead to the new period 2010-2012 and seeing how countries – working with the UN and other partners – can best address sustainable management issues affecting coastal and marine areas throughout the Indian Ocean region.