The Seychelles delegation, led by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Diaspora, Ambassador Barry Faure, participated in the Council of Ministers meeting of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), held in Durban, Republic of South Africa, ahead of the 46th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government.
Addressing the Council on the impact of ongoing global geopolitical developments, the Minister outlined Seychelles’ response to shield its economy and citizens from the shocks stemming from the conflict in the Middle East.
The Minister drew attention to Seychelles’ particular exposure as an import-reliant country and cautioned that forecast El Niño conditions could compound pressures pertaining to food security. To face these challenges, the Minister called for the region to strengthen collective preparedness and to pursue more ambitious intra-SADC trade, highlighting the need for increased connectivity and the complementary strengths of continental Member States and island States.
As the current geopolitical events modify global shipping routes, Minister Faure reminded the Council that, while it may represent an opportunity for the region, SADC Member States have the responsibility to increase their efforts towards preserving maritime security.
During the opening of the meeting, the Outgoing Chairperson of the Council, Honourable Professor Amon Murwira, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of the Republic of Zimbabwe, handed over the SADC Council of Ministers Chairpersonship to Honourable Mr Ronald Lamola, MP, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa. The new Chair headed the Council as it examined a host of almost 80 Decisions that had been prepared by the Meeting of Senior Officials.
The Council of Ministers is one of the preceding meetings of the 46th Ordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government, to which the President of the Republic, Dr. Patrick Herminie, will be of attendance
The Minister was accompanied by Mrs. Veronique Morel, Acting Head of Mission at the Seychelles High Commission in South Africa, Ms. Elia Savy, Third Secretary, and Ms. Deerah Dufrene, Protocol officer.
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