The United Nations’ general assembly (Unga) president Vuk Jeremić paid a courtesy call on President James at State House yesterday.

Mr Jeremić is in the country for the Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Mediterranean and South China Sea (Aims) sub-regional grouping meeting in preparation for the upcoming international conference on the small island developing states to be held next year in Samoa.

During his meeting with President Michel the former Serbian foreign minister talked about the post 2015 development agenda which is being discussed in the United Nations (UN).

They also talked about the priorities of Seychelles and other small island states and how these can be integrated into the broader goals of international community.

President Michel congratulated Mr Jeremić on his dynamic presidency of the Unga during the last year, where the interests of the developing world were often brought to the forefront of its discussions.

"Thank you for championing the cause of small island developing states and for the support you have given us in the Aims regional preparatory meeting. This will make a difference in the agenda which is set for the Samoa conference, and further promote our common aims for sustainable development," said the President.

Mr Jeremić said that the conference is timely and will provide an opportunity for Sids to make their voices heard and ensure they have a constructive and active role in the development agenda in the Unga.

"We will be discussing the post-2015 development agenda currently being developed in the United Nations, and in particular the priorities of the small island states.... We discussed how these priorities can be integrated in the broader goals of the international community," said Mr Jeremić.

The Unga president commended Seychelles for the progress it has made in its economic and social development, and added that Seychelles is making a strong impact with its work within the United Nations system.

"Seychelles is a small country but a very visible country in the international community...I think the Seychelles balance very well the interests of various countries, like in the fight against piracy.... in development issues, renewable energy and the blue economy.... You do have a good image in the United Nations," said Mr Jeremić.

He added that in the Unga each country has one vote, and by grouping together to form a common position on issues that are their priority, small island states, which are large in numbers, therefore have a serious negotiating power in the United Nations.

Mr Jeremić expressed his confidence that the Seychelles’ bid for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council  2017-2018 term would be successful in the vote in 2016.

Mr Jeremić was elected president of the sixty-seventh session of the Unga on June 8, 2012. At the time of his election, he was serving as Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, an office he held starting on May 15, 2007. He ends his term in the Unga in mid-September 2013.

Also present at the meeting yesterday at State House were the Minister for Environment and Energy, Professor Rolph Payet; the Secretary of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Barry Faure; the President's Diplomatic Adviser, Ambassador Callixte d'Offay; as well as the Unga president's Chef de Cabinet, Zdravko Ponoš.

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