AGP Executive Report

UN Diplomacy & Peace Tourism: Seychelles President Dr. Patrick Herminie told the UN that the country is “a friend to all, and an enemy to none,” framing non-alignment as an active choice for peace—an idea that echoes tourism diplomacy and raises the question of whether Seychelles could also offer a discreet meeting space for dialogue. Coastal Cleanup in Action: The Clean Shores Run in Roche Caïman drew 34 participants for a 5km course tied to International Coastal Cleanup Day, pairing sport with environmental awareness and community action. Protecting Seychelles’ Coasts: The Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority (SPGA) wrapped a week-long Scientific and Socio-Economic Monitoring training for mangrove, reef and seagrass corridors under the Ridge to Reef project, aiming to strengthen local monitoring and management. Ocean Protection Push: A UN-backed piece marks the High Seas Treaty’s entry into force and warns that “a treaty on paper” won’t restore marine life without real resources, institutions and political will. Biodiversity Targets Watch: A global review on the 30x30 goal notes Seychelles leads on land protection (about 68%), while ocean protection still lags—highlighting the work ahead for island ecosystems.

Ocean Governance: The BBNJ “High Seas Treaty” has entered into force, but the real test now is whether countries fund and enforce protection beyond national waters. Seychelles Conservation: SPGA wrapped a week-long Scientific and Socio-Economic Monitoring training for mangrove, reef and seagrass corridors under the Ridge to Reef project, boosting local capacity for coastal ecosystem care. Biodiversity Targets: A new regional outlook ranks Kenya eighth for conservation coverage, while Seychelles leads in terrestrial protection—highlighting the gap to the global 30% goal. Climate Resilience: Zimbabwe launched a nationwide cloud-seeding programme as SADC braces for below-normal rains, using aircraft and drones alongside an early-warning response plan. Blue Economy & Finance: India’s first “blue bond” aims to channel capital into ocean projects, setting a precedent for water- and sea-linked investment. Maritime Security: East African states are backing a regional anti-piracy task force for the Gulf of Aden and Western Indian Ocean under the Djibouti Code. Local Action: The Clean Shores Run in Roche Caïman drew 34 participants for International Coastal Cleanup Day, pairing sport with environmental awareness.

Ocean governance: The High Seas Treaty (BBNJ) entered into force on 17 January 2026, but the real test now is whether countries fund enforcement, science capacity and fair benefit-sharing—not just celebrating a “treaty on paper.” Biodiversity targets: With the 30×30 goal still far off (about 20% of land and 10% of ocean protected), the push heads to the next summit in Yerevan, and Seychelles is highlighted for leading terrestrial protection. Seychelles action on coasts: SPGA wrapped a week-long capacity programme to strengthen scientific and socio-economic monitoring of mangroves, reefs and seagrass corridors under the Ridge to Reef project. Clean coasts, local sport: The Clean Shores Run in Roche Caïman drew 34 participants for a 5km course tied to International Coastal Cleanup Day, with Seychelles youth and sports leadership and the Russian mission backing. Blue economy & fisheries: Seychelles is reaching out to India to boost tuna processing and post-harvest management, including using fish residues and seaweed for higher-value, more sustainable products. Regional climate resilience: Zimbabwe launched a nationwide cloud-seeding programme as SADC braces for below-normal rains—an approach tied to early warning and climate-smart planning.

Ocean Governance: The High Seas Treaty/BBNJ Agreement has entered into force, but an IPS op-ed warns the real test now is turning the “paper” deal into protection with resources, institutions, science capacity and fair benefit-sharing. Biodiversity Targets: A new global assessment says the world is far off the 30×30 goal, with about 20% of land and 10% of ocean protected, and notes Seychelles leads on terrestrial protection at 68%. Seychelles Environment: Research highlights how plastic and fishing gear are piling up on Seychelles shores, including Aldabra, and suggests much of the debris likely comes from vessels in or near Seychelles waters—raising the stakes for local action and accountability. Coastal Cleanup in Action: The Clean Shores Run in Roche Caïman drew 34 participants for a 5km course tied to International Coastal Cleanup Day, with sport and environmental awareness front and centre. Climate Resilience: Zimbabwe launched cloud-seeding as SADC braces for below-normal rains, while UN General Assembly speeches also put climate and trust in the spotlight. Blue Economy & Fisheries: Seychelles is reaching out to India to boost landed tuna revenues and post-harvest work, including using fish-processing residues and seaweed for higher-value, more sustainable products.

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.

Coral Reef Alarm: A new global assessment warns that marine heatwaves are hitting reefs harder, with hard coral cover down 9.5% versus the 1980–2009 average—an urgent call for action from ocean-dependent Seychelles. Coastal Cleanup in Action: The Clean Shores Run in Roche Caïman drew 34 participants for a 5-kilometre course tied to International Coastal Cleanup Day, with Youth and Sports Minister Kelsey Belle and the Russian ambassador among those backing environmental awareness. Seychelles Plastic & Fishing Gear Fallout: Research highlights how vast amounts of plastic and lost fishing gear are washing onto Seychelles shores, with Aldabra Atoll alone estimated to have over 500 tonnes—plus a new look at where the debris may be coming from. Blue Economy & Fisheries Links: Seychelles is reaching out to India to boost landed tuna revenues and strengthen post-harvest management, including higher-value products from fish-processing residues and seaweed. Coastal Ecosystem Monitoring: SPGA has wrapped a week-long training to strengthen scientific and socio-economic monitoring for mangrove, reef and seagrass corridors. Disaster Preparedness Cooperation: Taiwan and Eswatini pledged deeper disaster preparedness and response ties, including sharing rescue expertise and prevention technology. Ocean Transport Push: China called for stronger international cooperation on sustainable transport, including green shipping corridors and zero-carbon fuel bunkering networks. Traditional Medicine Research: WHO urges more research into traditional medicine as health needs grow, with Seychelles among countries committing to national research centres.

Conservation Watch: A new Biodiversity Outlook for Eastern and Southern Africa ranks Kenya eighth for protected and conserved coverage, with Seychelles leading the region at 68.12% of land protected. Coastal Ecosystems: The Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority (SPGA) wrapped a week-long training on monitoring mangrove, reef and seagrass corridors under the Ridge to Reef project, aiming to strengthen local skills for healthier coastal and marine habitats. Plastic Pollution: Research tracking plastic and fishing gear washing onto Seychelles shores points to vessels in or near Seychelles waters as a major source, underlining the need for smarter prevention and accountability. Blue Economy & Fisheries: Seychelles is reaching out to India to boost landed tuna revenues and improve post-harvest management, including using fish-processing residues and seaweed for higher-value products. Community Action: The Clean Shores Run in Roche Caiman marked International Coastal Cleanup Day, with participants running 5 km to promote environmental awareness and active living. Health & Traditional Medicine: Seychelles is among countries backing WHO efforts to expand research into traditional medicine, with national centres planned to close evidence gaps.

Coastal Conservation: Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority (SPGA) wrapped a week-long capacity programme on scientific and socio-economic monitoring for mangrove, reef and seagrass corridors under the Ridge to Reef project, aiming to strengthen how key coastal ecosystems are assessed and managed. Marine Life Protection: Conservationist Jeremy Raguain has joined the Island Conservation Society (ICS) Board of Trustees, bringing experience from ocean diplomacy and field conservation work on Aldabra. Pollution Pressure: A new study warns that vast amounts of plastic and fishing gear are washing onto Seychelles shores, with Aldabra Atoll alone estimated to have accumulated over 500 tonnes—damaging ecosystems and hitting tourism and fisheries, while research suggests much of the debris likely comes from vessels near Seychelles waters. Blue Economy & Fisheries: Seychelles is seeking deeper collaboration with India to boost landed tuna revenues and improve post-harvest management, including using fish-processing residues and seaweed for higher-value products, plus better fisheries data for monitoring and surveillance. Tourism & Sustainability: Seychelles is pushing a stronger France trade push at IFTM Top Resa 2026, while also targeting high-value, sustainable visitors via Gulf connectivity at Arabian Travel Market 2026. Community Action: The Clean Shores Run in Roche Caiman marked International Coastal Cleanup Day, with 34 participants completing a 5km course and backing environmental awareness.

Coastal Monitoring Boost: Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority (SPGA) wrapped a week-long training on scientific and socio-economic monitoring for mangrove, reef and seagrass corridors under the Ridge to Reef project, aiming to strengthen how key coastal ecosystems are tracked and managed. Conservation Leadership: Environmental policy advisor Jeremy Raguain has joined the Island Conservation Society (ICS) Board of Trustees, bringing experience from Aldabra field work and ocean diplomacy training for small island states. Plastic and Fishing Gear Crisis: New research highlights how vast amounts of plastic and lost fishing gear are washing onto Seychelles shores, with Aldabra alone estimated to have accumulated over 500 tonnes, and findings pointing to much of the pollution likely coming from vessels near Seychelles waters. Fisheries Value + Sustainability: Seychelles is reaching deeper into its partnership with India to grow landed tuna revenues and improve post-harvest management, including using fish-processing residues and seaweed for higher-value products while pushing more sustainable fisheries practices. Clean Shores Run: A Roche Caiman coastal cleanup and 5km community run marked International Coastal Cleanup Day, with organisers and officials backing environmental awareness through sport. Tourism Strategy: Seychelles Tourism Board is putting the GCC at the centre of its high-value, more sustainable tourism push at ATM 2026, including plans for a new MoU with Emirates to bring travellers beyond “just beaches.”

Coastal protection: Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority (SPGA) wrapped up a week-long Scientific and Socio-Economic Monitoring training for mangrove, reef and seagrass corridors under the Ridge to Reef (R2R) project, aiming to strengthen local skills to monitor and manage key coastal ecosystems. Wildlife monitoring upgrade: SPGA also expanded an AI-assisted camera network in Sainte Anne Marine National Park, adding new cameras to better track nesting sea turtles and flag incidents in real time for rangers. Marine pollution pressure: New research highlights how vast amounts of plastic and fishing gear are washing onto Seychelles shores, with Aldabra Atoll alone estimated to have accumulated over 500 tonnes—damaging ecosystems, harming tourism and fisheries, and driving up cleanup costs. Fisheries cooperation: Seychelles is reaching out to India to boost landed tuna revenues and improve post-harvest management, including work on fish-processing residues, seaweed products, vessel standards and fisheries data for monitoring and surveillance. Community action: The Clean Shores Run in Roche Caiman, held for International Coastal Cleanup Day, brought together residents and partners for a 5km run focused on environmental awareness and healthy living. Policy and security: Seychelles and Comoros have ratified the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, positioning nuclear-free security as a practical model for the Indian Ocean region.

Chagos Diplomacy: The Maldives has asked the UK to reopen negotiations over the Chagos Archipelago, adding a new claimant to a dispute tied to Diego Garcia’s military role and to Chagossians’ long-delayed return. Climate Finance Fairness: A push is growing for a faster, cheaper, fairer global financial system for climate-vulnerable countries, with adaptation finance still far too small and often arriving as loans that deepen debt. Marine Pollution on Our Shores: New research links much of the plastic and fishing gear washing onto Seychelles beaches to vessels operating in or near Seychelles waters, raising the stakes for local monitoring and cleanup. Biodiversity Protection Tech: Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority has expanded an AI camera network in Sainte Anne Marine National Park to better track nesting sea turtles and flag incidents in real time. Blue Economy Partnerships: Seychelles strengthened ties with India to boost landed tuna revenues and post-harvest management, including collaboration on fisheries data and more sustainable processing and aquaculture approaches. Tourism & Connectivity: Seychelles is spotlighting Gulf connectivity and a planned Emirates MoU at ATM 2026 as it shifts toward high-value, more sustainable tourism. Traditional Health Research: WHO is calling for more research into traditional medicine, after Seychelles and other countries committed to building national research centres.

Indian Ocean Diplomacy: The Maldives has asked the UK to reopen Chagos Archipelago talks, adding a new claimant to a dispute that already involves Britain, Mauritius, the US base on Diego Garcia, and displaced Chagossians. Climate Finance Reform: A push is growing for a fairer global financial system for climate-vulnerable countries, with adaptation still severely underfunded and often delivered as debt-heavy loans. Coastal Cleanup & Awareness: Seychelles hosted the Clean Shores Run in Roche Caiman on 19 September, tied to International Coastal Cleanup Day, with 34 runners backing environmental awareness. Plastic & Fishing Gear Pollution: New research highlights how vast amounts of plastic and lost fishing gear are washing onto Seychelles beaches, with Aldabra alone estimated at over 500 tonnes—raising urgent questions about sources and cleanup costs. Sea Turtle Protection Tech: The Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority expanded an AI camera network in Sainte Anne Marine National Park to monitor nesting sea turtles and flag incidents in real time. Blue Economy Partnerships: Seychelles strengthened ties with India to boost landed tuna value, post-harvest management, and sustainability, including better fisheries data and advanced aquaculture approaches. Traditional Medicine Research: WHO calls for more research into traditional medicine, noting Seychelles and other countries have committed to building national research centres.

Coastal Cleanup & Community Action: Seychelles marked International Coastal Cleanup Day with the Clean Shores Run in Roche Caiman on 19 September, bringing together 34 runners for a 5km course and renewed calls for environmental awareness through active lifestyles. Marine Pollution & Fisheries Impacts: New research flags that tons of plastic and lost fishing gear keep washing onto Seychelles beaches, with Aldabra alone estimated to have over 500 tonnes; the study suggests much of the debris likely comes from vessels in or near Seychelles waters, raising urgent questions on prevention and accountability. Blue Economy Partnerships: Seychelles strengthened ties with India to boost landed tuna revenues and improve post-harvest management, including work on tuna processing, value from residues, seaweed, vessel standards, training, and better fisheries data for monitoring and surveillance. Wildlife Protection Tech: The Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority expanded an AI-assisted camera network across Sainte Anne Marine National Park to better monitor nesting sea turtles and flag incidents in real time. Tourism Connectivity Strategy: At ATM 2026, Seychelles Tourism Board is placing the GCC at the centre of a shift toward higher-value, more sustainable arrivals, anchored by plans for a new Emirates MoU and deeper Gulf travel trade engagement. Health Research & Traditional Medicine: WHO calls for more research into traditional medicine, noting major global funding gaps as countries work toward universal health coverage and tackle rising noncommunicable diseases.

AI & Marine Protection: Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority expanded an AI-assisted camera network across Sainte Anne Marine National Park to better monitor nesting sea turtles and flag incidents in real time. Plastic & Fisheries Pollution: A new study highlights how vast amounts of plastic and fishing gear are washing onto Seychelles beaches, with Aldabra alone estimated to have over 500 tonnes, and findings pointing to pollution likely coming from vessels in or near Seychelles waters. Blue Economy & Security Tech: Researchers argue Africa should use unmanned systems like drones as “force multipliers” for offshore surveillance, while noting legal and training hurdles. Fisheries Partnership: Seychelles strengthened ties with India to boost landed tuna revenues and post-harvest management, including investment in processing, product diversification, and better fisheries data for monitoring and surveillance. Tourism Strategy: Seychelles Tourism Board is putting GCC connectivity at the centre of its high-value, sustainable tourism push at ATM 2026, anchored by a planned Emirates MoU and stronger regional trade engagement. Traditional Medicine Research: WHO calls for more research into traditional medicine, with Seychelles among countries committing to set up national research centres. Nuclear-Free Indian Ocean: Comoros and Seychelles’ ratification of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons is framed as a practical security model for the region.

Seychelles–India Fisheries Push: Seychelles has reached out to India to boost revenues from landed tuna catch and strengthen post-harvest management, with talks on tuna processing investment, higher-value products from fish residues and seaweed, vessel standards, training, and better fisheries data for monitoring and surveillance. Plastic & Fishing Gear Crisis: New research highlights how vast amounts of plastic and lost fishing gear are washing onto Seychelles beaches, with Aldabra Atoll alone estimated to have over 500 tonnes of plastic and cleanup costs running into millions—plus new findings that much of the pollution likely comes from vessels near Seychelles. AI for Marine Protection: The Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority expanded an AI-assisted camera network across Sainte Anne Marine National Park to monitor nesting sea turtles and flag incidents in real time for rangers. Nuclear-Free Indian Ocean: Comoros and Seychelles’ moves toward the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons are framed as more than symbolism, positioning island security around prevention and disarmament. Traditional Medicine Research Call: WHO is urging more research into traditional medicine, noting Seychelles has committed to setting up national research centres. Tourism Connectivity via the GCC: Seychelles Tourism Board is placing the Gulf Cooperation Council at the centre of its high-value, sustainable tourism strategy, including plans for a new Emirates MoU and deeper regional travel trade engagement.

Fisheries & Blue Economy: Seychelles has reached out to India to deepen cooperation on landed tuna, post-harvest management and value-add growth, including investments in tuna processing, diversification into high-value products from fish-processing residues and seaweed, plus better vessel standards and training. Marine Pollution: New reporting highlights how tons of plastic and fishing gear are washing onto Seychelles beaches, with Aldabra alone estimated to have over 500 tonnes on shore, and research pointing to likely sources from vessels in or near Seychelles waters. Conservation Tech: The Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority expanded an AI-assisted camera network across Sainte Anne Marine National Park to better monitor nesting sea turtles and flag incidents in real time. Health Financing: The UN Economic Commission for Africa convened a high-level advisory group on health financing, focusing on sustainable domestic funding as aid shrinks and debt tightens fiscal space. Tourism Strategy: Seychelles is pushing its GCC-focused, high-value tourism plan at IFTM Top Resa and ATM 2026, including a renewed Emirates partnership to bring longer-stay visitors. Agroecology: A two-year Seychelles agroecology project (Sept 2024–Aug 2026) says it helped farmers adopt lower-pollution, erosion-reducing practices.