President Herminie Meets United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres to Discuss Key Global Priorities

Seychelles’ priorities on climate action, sustainable development and development financing were among the issues discussed yesterday during a bilateral meeting between President Dr Patrick Herminie and UN Secretary-General António Guterres in New York.

During the meeting, Secretary-General Guterres underlined the urgency of accelerating the global transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy and strengthening support for climate adaptation, particularly for Small Island Developing States (SIDS). He further emphasised the importance of climate justice, including equitable access to financing and reforms to the international financial architecture to better respond to the needs and vulnerabilities of developing countries.

The Secretary-General commended Seychelles for its principled and consistent leadership on climate issues and its longstanding advocacy on behalf of SIDS, reaffirming the United Nations’ solidarity with vulnerable states facing the disproportionate impacts of climate change.

President Herminie welcomed the progress being made under the UN80 Initiative and reaffirmed Seychelles’ support for a more effective and responsive United Nations. He stressed, however, that reform efforts must strengthen the Organisation’s capacity to deliver on its mandates and respond meaningfully to the needs of Member States, particularly SIDS.

The President also welcomed recent development in the operationalisation of the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI), describing it as an important tool for ensuring that vulnerability is more accurately reflected in development financing frameworks. He called for its broader adoption by Multilateral Development Banks, International Financial Institutions and development partners.

The discussion also addressed the growing pressures on vulnerable economies in an increasingly complex global environment. President Herminie expressed concern over the diversion of resources towards conflicts at a time when greater investment is required to tackle the climate crisis and advance sustainable development objectives.

Reaffirming Seychelles’ unwavering commitment to multilateralism, the President underscored the importance of international cooperation, adherence to international law and respect for the principles of the United Nations Charter in addressing shared global challenges.

President Herminie conveyed his appreciation to Secretary-General Guterres for his leadership and steadfast support for the SIDS agenda throughout his tenure, and expressed confidence that the momentum achieved on issues of critical importance to vulnerable states would be sustained in the years ahead.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Seychelles.