UN General Assembly, climate & oceans: More than 130 heads of state arrived in New York for the UN General Assembly’s high-level debate, with speeches also expected to focus on wars, artificial intelligence, UN finances, and the race to succeed António Guterres. Biodiversity target pressure (30×30): A new global assessment says only about 20% of land and 10% of ocean are protected, leaving just four years to reach the 2030 goal—while Seychelles is highlighted as a top performer on terrestrial protection. Seychelles at the UN: President Patrick Herminie urged Africa to secure at least two permanent UN Security Council seats with veto power, while stressing maritime security, illegal fishing, and climate action. Coastal cleanup in Seychelles: The Clean Shores Run in Roche Caïman drew 34 participants for a 5km course tied to International Coastal Cleanup Day, blending sport with local environmental awareness. Coastal monitoring boost: SPGA completed a week-long training on monitoring mangrove, reef and seagrass corridors under the Ridge to Reef project. Plastic and fishing gear problem: Research points to major plastic and gear washing up on Seychelles shores, with Aldabra estimated to have accumulated over 500 tonnes—highlighting the need to track sources and stop the flow. Sustainable transport cooperation: China proposed new measures for greener shipping and transport coordination, including green shipping corridors and zero-carbon fuel bunkering networks. Ocean security: East Africa is pushing a regional task force against piracy and sea crimes in the Gulf of Aden and Western Indian Ocean.