AGP Executive Report

Climate diplomacy divide: UN leaders at the High-level Week General Debate clashed over how fast to cut fossil fuels, who pays for the transition, and how to protect vulnerable communities as Pacific islands warn sea-level threats are existential. Regional ocean safety: Seychelles joined a Mahajanga, Madagascar training push under the MSARC framework, bringing maritime professionals from eight countries together for practical search-and-rescue drills. Seychelles debt-for-ocean win: A DiCaprio-backed debt-swap helped Seychelles expand protected ocean coverage from 0.04% to 30%, supporting marine spatial planning and long-term conservation. Biodiversity rebound on D’Arros: After invasive rats were eradicated, scientists reported wedge-tailed shearwater pairs rising from about 254 (2009) to 2,768 (2016), showing how targeted action can restore wildlife. Water investment push: Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah urged turning Africa’s water commitments into bankable projects, linking water funding to food security, resilience, and poverty reduction. Seychelles development finance: The African Development Bank approved $34m for economic resilience and greener growth, including public financial management upgrades and climate resilience reforms. South-West Indian Ocean multi-hazard outlook: Seychelles hosted a regional forum warning October–March 2026/27 could bring drought and flooding risks depending on location, with knock-on effects for health, fisheries, and ecosystems.

Ocean Conservation Funding: A landmark debt-swap backed by Leonardo DiCaprio’s foundation helped Seychelles turn foreign debt into long-term ocean protection, expanding marine protected areas from 0.04% of its EEZ to 30% by 2020, with plans for marine spatial planning. Biodiversity Recovery on D’Arros: After invasive rats were eradicated from D’Arros Island, scientists reported wedge-tailed shearwater pairs rising from about 254 in 2009 to 2,768 in 2016, showing how fast ecosystems can rebound. Regional Ocean Cooperation: Tanzania is set to host COP12 to the Nairobi Convention (Oct 6–9), aiming to coordinate action on marine pollution, illegal fishing, climate change and coastal ecosystem degradation across the Western Indian Ocean. Climate Hazards for the South-West Indian Ocean: The Seychelles-hosted climate outlook warns of multiple hazards for Oct–Dec 2026 and Jan–Mar 2027, including drought and flooding risks depending on location, plus marine impacts and cyclone threats. Water Investment Push for Africa: President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah urged turning water commitments into bankable projects to close Africa’s water investment gap, linking water to food security, poverty reduction and climate resilience. Seychelles Development Finance: The African Development Bank approved a $34m loan to support greener growth, public financial management upgrades, and climate resilience, adding to $84m total since 2024. Local Sports & Community: A Regatta Boxing Tournament in Beau Vallon brought youth fighters into the spotlight outdoors, while Kenya’s Oduor begins a Starlets overhaul focused on patience, competition and new senior call-ups.

Ocean Conservation Finance: A landmark debt-swap backed by Leonardo DiCaprio’s foundation helped Seychelles convert $21.6m of foreign debt into long-term ocean protection, expanding marine protections from 0.04% of its EEZ to 30% by 2020 and creating Marine Protection Areas covering 410,000 sq km—bigger than Germany—alongside plans for a marine spatial plan. Island Biodiversity Recovery: On rat-free D’Arros Island, scientists reported wedge-tailed shearwater pairs rising from about 254 in 2009 to 2,768 in 2016, showing how invasive rat removal can trigger major seabird rebounds. Water Investment Push: President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah urged stronger, bankable investment in Africa’s water sector, linking water funding to food security, poverty reduction, climate resilience and sustainable development. Regional Climate Risk for the SW Indian Ocean: The South-West Indian Ocean Climate Outlook Forum warned governments and communities to prepare for multiple hazards—drought and heat in the south, flooding and landslides in wetter areas, and for island states a flexible approach covering extreme heat, heavy rain, marine impacts and cyclone risk. Seychelles Economic Resilience Funding: The African Development Bank approved a $34m loan for Seychelles’ Economic Resilience and Green Recovery programme, supporting greener growth, public financial management upgrades, and climate resilience. Peer Learning for Weather Services: A technical session highlighted how member-to-member cooperation can strengthen national meteorological and hydrological services, with Seychelles’ planning and staffing links cited as a model.

Water Investment Gap: Seychelles President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah urged Africa to turn water-sector promises into bankable projects, linking better water funding to food security, poverty reduction, climate resilience and sustainable development, ahead of the 2026 UN Water Conference. Ocean Conservation & Shared Habitats: A new push for “connected ocean” protection highlights why sea turtles and other migratory species can’t be safeguarded by one country alone, calling for regional cooperation and financing across the Western Indian Ocean. Regional Climate Preparedness: The South-West Indian Ocean Climate Outlook Forum says Seychelles and neighbours must plan for multiple hazards—drought and heat in the south, flooding and landslides in wetter areas, plus extreme heat, heavy rain, marine impacts and cyclone risk for island states. Seychelles Biodiversity Work: Continued exploration of Silhouette’s Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) by ICS focuses on protecting rare species and habitats, building on Seychelles’ earlier KBA assessments. Coral Recovery in Seychelles: Nature Seychelles’ Assisted Recovery of Coral (ARC) programme uses sexual reproduction to grow genetically diverse corals, with early results reporting settlement and growth of about 65,000 young corals. SIDS Leadership: President Dr Patrick Herminie was elected to lead the SIDS DOCK Assembly’s Tenth Session, reinforcing Seychelles’ role on sustainable energy, climate resilience and development for small island states.

Ocean Conservation & Blue Economy: A new push argues sea turtles show why Western Indian Ocean protection can’t stop at borders—shared habitats and shared funding are needed to safeguard migratory species, reefs, mangroves and seagrasses that also support food, livelihoods, tourism and storm protection. Climate Outlook for the South-West Indian Ocean: Seychelles hosted a regional forum warning October 2026–March 2027 could bring multiple hazards: drought and water stress in the south, flooding and landslides in wetter areas, and island risks including extreme heat, heavy rain, marine impacts and tropical cyclone threats—calling for flexible preparedness. SIDS Ocean Governance & Financing: AOSIS leaders met in New York with President Patrick Herminie urging practical implementation on climate change, ocean governance and sustainable development, including stronger international financing for small island states. Seychelles Economic Resilience & Greener Growth: The African Development Bank approved a $34m loan to strengthen public services, private-sector development and climate resilience, including reforms to modernise public financial management and support greener growth. Seychelles Meteorology Peer Support: A technical learning session highlighted how member-to-member cooperation can help national meteorological services build strategic plans, skills and sustainable funding—using Seychelles as a case study. Coral Recovery in Seychelles: Nature Seychelles’ Assisted Recovery of Coral (ARC) programme is expanding genetically diverse coral production, with early results reporting settlement and growth of around 65,000 young corals.

Ocean & Climate Preparedness: The South-West Indian Ocean Climate Outlook Forum says Seychelles and neighbours must plan for multiple hazards in Oct–Dec 2026 and Jan–Mar 2027, including drought and heat in the south, flooding and landslides in wetter areas, and island risks like extreme heat, heavy rain, marine impacts and tropical cyclone threats. Blue Economy & Conservation: A new push for marine protection highlights why no country can safeguard the full journey of species like sea turtles across the Mozambique Channel and wider Indian Ocean—cooperation and shared financing are key. Seychelles Development Finance: The African Development Bank approved a $34m loan for Seychelles’ Economic Resilience and Green Recovery programme, targeting greener growth, stronger public financial management, a better business environment, and climate resilience. Local Action on Waste: Seychelles marked World Clean-up Day with a community beach and neighbourhood clean-up, continuing the Cleanup Marathon with schools and residents to build lasting environmental responsibility. SIDS Leadership: President Dr Patrick Herminie was elected to lead the SIDS DOCK Assembly, with Seychelles set to hold the presidency through Dec 2027, focusing on sustainable energy, climate resilience and implementation for small island states. Regional Cooperation: Seychelles and Tanzania shared lessons on how member-to-member support can strengthen national meteorological and hydrological services through better planning, staffing and long-term institutional foundations.

Citizenship-by-investment Crackdown: The EU has ordered five Caribbean nations to scrap golden passport programmes by 2028, throwing thousands of wealthy Nigerians into uncertainty as Schengen rejections and lost fees push people to seek alternative routes. Climate Risk for the South-West Indian Ocean: Seychelles Meteorological Agency hosted a regional forum warning that El Niño and other drivers could bring multiple hazards—drought and heat in the south, flooding and landslides in wetter areas, and island states facing extreme heat, heavy rain, marine impacts and cyclone risk. Seychelles Economic Resilience Push: The African Development Bank approved a $34m loan to strengthen public services, private-sector growth and climate resilience, including digital reforms like e-invoicing and e-procurement. Ocean Conservation, Connected Journeys: A Seychelles-linked conservation theme highlights how protecting species like sea turtles requires cross-border cooperation across the Mozambique Channel and wider Indian Ocean. World Clean-up Day in Seychelles: Local residents and schoolchildren joined a community clean-up on 25 September, continuing a Cleanup Marathon with partners including Wastea to build ongoing beach and public-space responsibility. SIDS DOCK Leadership: Seychelles will take over the SIDS DOCK presidency through December 2027, with President Herminie leading discussions on sustainable energy, climate resilience and development priorities. Blue Finance Debate: Opinion pieces argue that “blue finance” could help ocean-based economies like Nigeria’s unlock investment for fisheries, shipping, coastal infrastructure and blue carbon—linking capital flows to environmental protection.

Climate Outlook for SWIO: The Seychelles Meteorological Agency hosted a regional forum warning that October 2026–March 2027 could bring multiple hazards: drought and water stress in the south, flooding and landslides in wetter areas, and for island states a flexible plan for extreme heat, heavy rain, marine impacts and cyclone risk. Biodiversity on Silhouette: Conservationists with ICS continued exploring Silhouette’s Key Biodiversity Areas, including a rare Bouskiya tree sighted in flower and fruit during a July 2026 KBA survey. SIDS leadership in focus: Seychelles will take over the SIDS DOCK presidency through December 2027, with President Herminie pushing sustainable energy, climate resilience and implementation for small island states. Economic resilience with greener growth: The African Development Bank approved a $34m loan for Seychelles to strengthen public services, the private sector and climate resilience, including digital public financial management and e-procurement. Community action for cleaner coasts: Seychelles marked World Clean-up Day with a local clean-up linked to the ongoing Cleanup Marathon, aiming to build lasting environmental responsibility.

Climate Risk for the SWIO: The South-West Indian Ocean Climate Outlook Forum, hosted by the Seychelles Meteorological Agency, warns October 2026–March 2027 could bring multiple hazards: drought and water stress in the south, flooding and landslides in wetter areas, plus extreme heat, heavy rain, marine impacts and cyclone risk—threatening food, health, ecosystems and fisheries. Economic Resilience with a Greener Turn: Seychelles secured a $34 million African Development Bank loan (third phase of its Economic Resilience and Green Recovery Support Programme) to strengthen governance, improve the business environment, and boost climate resilience, with digital public financial reforms like e-invoicing and e-procurement. Local Action on Waste: Seychelles marked World Clean-up Day with a community clean-up on 25 September, continuing the Cleanup Marathon with schoolchildren and residents, supported by African Initiative and Wastea, to build ongoing public-space and beach cleanliness habits. Biodiversity Protection in Silhouette: Continued Key Biodiversity Area exploration by ICS highlights rare species and ongoing work to safeguard Seychelles’ natural hotspots, including recent findings during 2026 KBA surveys. SIDS Leadership: President Dr Patrick Herminie led Seychelles’ move into the SIDS DOCK Presidency through December 2027, focusing on sustainable energy, climate resilience and sustainable development. Seychelles Diplomacy: Herminie told the UN Seychelles is “a friend to all, and an enemy to none,” framing non-alignment as an active choice for peace. Clean Shores Run Spotlight: Seychelles also congratulated African Initiative on its third anniversary, praising media-linked community work such as the Clean Shores Run.

Small-Island Climate Finance: Seychelles President Dr Patrick Herminie urged the UN to “measure reality correctly,” calling for affordable, long-term finance, meaningful debt relief and use of the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index as cyclone and tourism shocks can erase gains fast. SIDS Leadership: Seychelles also took over the SIDS DOCK presidency through December 2027, with Herminie pushing sustainable energy, climate resilience and development priorities. Ocean Biodiversity Governance: A Seychelles-linked opinion piece marks the High Seas Treaty’s entry into force and warns that a deal on paper won’t protect depleted marine life without funding, institutions and political will. World Clean-up Day in Seychelles: A community clean-up on 25 September, building on a Cleanup Marathon, brought residents and schoolchildren together with Wastea and local partners to keep beaches and public spaces clean. Coral Recovery Work: Nature Seychelles’ continued exploration of Silhouette’s key biodiversity hotspots highlights ongoing KBA efforts and coral restoration progress, including genetically diverse coral production. Blue Economy Funding Signals: Seychelles’ $34m African Development Bank loan aims to strengthen economic resilience and climate resilience while modernising public financial systems for greener growth.

Seychelles Economic Boost: The African Development Bank approved a $34m loan for Seychelles’ Economic Resilience and Green Recovery Support Programme, adding to $84m since 2024, with focus on economic governance, a better business environment, and climate resilience plus digital public financial reforms like e-invoicing and e-procurement. Ocean & Biodiversity Protection: Conservation work continues on Silhouette’s Key Biodiversity Areas, including rare species sightings during ICS-led exploration, while a separate report highlights coral recovery efforts using sexual reproduction to grow genetically diverse corals. SIDS Leadership: President Dr Patrick Herminie took Seychelles’ role in SIDS DOCK, with the country set to lead the assembly through Dec 2027, pushing sustainable energy and climate resilience. Community Clean-Up: Seychelles marked World Clean-up Day with a local beach and public-space clean-up, part of an ongoing Cleanup Marathon aimed at building lasting environmental responsibility. Blue Economy & Climate Finance: Global coverage also flags how debt and high borrowing costs are draining climate and social spending in vulnerable countries, and calls for fairer disaster finance.

Seychelles SIDS DOCK Presidency: President Dr Patrick Herminie has taken over the SIDS DOCK Assembly presidency through December 2027, with a focus on sustainable energy, climate resilience and sustainable development for Small Island Developing States. Ocean Biodiversity in Action: A Nature Seychelles coral lab update highlights continued work in Silhouette’s key biodiversity hotspots, using assisted recovery to grow genetically diverse young corals. World Clean-up Day Momentum: Seychelles marked World Clean-up Day with a community clean-up on 25 September, building on the Cleanup Marathon and pushing a culture of ongoing public-space and beach care. Climate Finance Pressure: UN General Assembly coverage spotlights climate-vulnerable nations rejecting “climate debt traps,” warning that disaster recovery is too often funded through loans. Blue Economy & Ocean Governance: The High Seas Treaty’s entry into force is framed as a major step, but also a reminder that real protection needs resources, institutions and political will. Regional Leadership on Security: President Herminie told the UN Seychelles backs Africa’s push for at least two permanent UN Security Council seats with veto power, alongside stronger maritime security and action on illegal fishing. Local Sports & Nature: Mahé–Praslin windsurfing saw Jules Kandasamy defend his title despite adverse weather, underscoring Seychelles’ active coastal culture.

Seychelles Economic & Climate Resilience: The African Development Bank approved a $34m loan for Seychelles’ Economic Resilience and Green Recovery programme, targeting greener growth, stronger economic governance, a better business climate, and climate resilience, with digital upgrades like e-invoicing and e-procurement. Biodiversity Protection in Seychelles: Conservation group ICS continues exploring Silhouette’s Key Biodiversity Areas, building on earlier KBA work across Mahé, Praslin, Silhouette and La Digue to better safeguard rare species and ecosystems. Coral Recovery Work: A Seychelles-linked coral lab effort under the Assisted Recovery of Coral (ARC) programme is producing genetically diverse young corals, with early results citing settlement and growth of around 65,000 juveniles. World Clean-up Day in Seychelles: A community clean-up in Seychelles on 25 September kept momentum after the World Clean-up Day push, aiming to build lasting public and beach-cleaning habits with residents and schools. SIDS Ocean & Climate Diplomacy: President Patrick Herminie led Seychelles’ role in SIDS DOCK, while AOSIS leaders met in New York to press for stronger action on climate change, ocean governance and sustainable financing. Ocean Governance Spotlight: The High Seas Treaty and BBNJ Agreement are highlighted as major steps forward, but the real test is funding, institutions and enforcement to protect marine life beyond national waters. Clean Shores Run: Roche Caïman hosted the Clean Shores Run, blending a 5km community race with coastal cleanup awareness.

Seychelles Biodiversity: A new push to protect Silhouette’s Key Biodiversity Areas continues, with ICS reporting rare tree sightings and ongoing exploration to safeguard species and habitats. SIDS Leadership: President Dr Patrick Herminie took part in AOSIS talks in New York, urging practical action on climate change, ocean governance, sustainable development and international financing ahead of COP31 and BBNJ preparations. SIDS DOCK Presidency: Seychelles will lead the SIDS DOCK Assembly through December 2027, with Herminie elected to strengthen cooperation on sustainable energy, climate resilience and development. World Clean-up Day: Seychelles marked the clean-up with residents and schoolchildren in Plaisance, backed by Wastea and partners, aiming to keep beaches and public spaces clean through regular community action. Coral Recovery in the Spotlight: A Nat Geo Traveller piece highlights coral and reef work linked to Seychelles’ Assisted Recovery of Coral (ARC) programme, using sexual reproduction to build genetically diverse corals. Climate Adaptation Abroad: Zimbabwe launched a nationwide cloud-seeding programme as SADC braces for below-normal rains, deploying aircraft and drones to support rainfall. Conservation Targets: A global 30x30 update says about 20% of land and 10% of ocean are protected, with Seychelles leading terrestrial protection in the latest regional comparisons. Ocean Governance: The High Seas Treaty’s entry into force is framed as a major step, but the real test now is funding, institutions and enforcement to protect marine life beyond national waters.

Biodiversity & Oceans: A team from ICS is continuing exploration of Silhouette’s Key Biodiversity Areas, aiming to protect rare species and ecosystems on Seychelles’ granitic islands. Conservation Targets: A new Eastern and Southern Africa biodiversity outlook ranks Kenya at about 14% protected/conserved land, while Seychelles leads the region on terrestrial protection at 68.12%, keeping the 30% global goal in focus. Community Action: Seychelles marked World Clean-up Day with a Roche Caïman clean-up and a broader Cleanup Marathon push, bringing residents and schoolchildren together to keep beaches and public spaces cleaner. SIDS Leadership: President Dr Patrick Herminie took part in AOSIS leaders’ discussions at the UN on climate change, ocean governance, sustainable development and international financing, with a push for practical implementation. Coral Recovery: A NatGeo Traveller feature highlights coral restoration work linked to Seychelles’ Assisted Recovery of Coral (ARC) programme, using sexual reproduction to grow genetically diverse corals. Climate Finance Pressure: UN leaders from climate-vulnerable countries warned that disaster recovery is too often funded through loans, demanding grants and faster access to climate money. Maritime Security: East African states are backing a regional task force proposal under the Djibouti Code of Conduct to tackle piracy and sea crimes in the Gulf of Aden and Western Indian Ocean.

Biodiversity Protection in Seychelles: A new push to map and safeguard Key Biodiversity Areas on Silhouette continues, with the ICS team documenting rare species during July 2026 fieldwork—highlighting why “rare and unknown” habitats need ongoing protection. World Clean-up Day in Seychelles: Local residents and schoolchildren joined a community clean-up on 25 September as part of the Cleanup Marathon, backed by Wastea and partners, aiming to keep beaches and public spaces clean every few weeks. Seychelles Leads SIDS DOCK: President Dr Patrick Herminie was elected to lead the SIDS DOCK Assembly’s Tenth Session through December 2027, with discussions focused on sustainable energy, climate resilience and financing for Small Island Developing States. Ocean Governance Watch: The High Seas Treaty/BBNJ push is framed as a real-world test now that the agreement has entered into force—protection needs resources, institutions and political will, not just signatures. Climate Debt Alarm: UN General Assembly leaders warn that disaster recovery is draining poorer countries through debt and high borrowing costs, with calls for grants and faster climate finance access.