President James Michel met with the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon this afternoon in Apia, Samoa, on the eve of the Third UN Conference on Small Island Developing States .

The two leaders discussed the work of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) and expressed their desire that the institution should grow in capacity and become stronger.

“We need to strengthen AOSIS to build institutional capacity to better represent the voices of SIDS… We will continue to speak with a loud and strong voice, as one voice of the SIDS,” said President Michel.

Mr. Ban Ki-moon said that Seychelles’ participation at the conference would make a great difference in shaping the future development agenda, and that he would ensure that Seychelles’ concerns and aspirations would be reflected in the outcome.

He added that UN agencies would be mobilized to ensure the full implementation of the recommendations of the SIDS.

“ I count on your continued involvement and leadership,” said the UN Secretary General.

President Michel also spoke to Secretary General Ban Ki-moon about the Blue Economy concept and that way that it can be integrated into SIDS development strategy.

“Development of the Blue Economy can allow SIDS to mobilize previously untapped resources. We all have land constraints but we are also guardians of large Exclusive Economic Zones and oceanic spaces. We are calling for a framework that assists SIDS in mobilizing the necessary research to allow them to better manage their oceanic resources,” said Mr. Michel.

The President also emphasized the importance of addressing SIDS vulnerability and their debt issues during the conference.

The President also commended the UNSG for his efforts to put climate change on the international agenda as a matter of urgency, especially the upcoming Climate Change Summit in New York in September.

Mr Ban Ki-moon said that climate change should be a number one priority for the world community, particularly the rising sea levels, and that he would be mobilizing various governments to materialize their pledges for funding for climate change mitigation and adaptation.

The head of the UN also thanked Seychelles for its efforts to solve the problem of piracy off the coast of Somalia. He said that is imperative that the international community continues to support Seychelles in the fight against piracy and to improve regional capacity in relation to maritime security.

President Michel also thanked the United Nations for its role in assisting Seychelles via the UNODC to build capacity and infrastructure to bring pirates to justice as well as repatriate them after conviction.

“ Piracy has been reduced considerably, but we need to continue to be vigilant…Until the security situation is resolved in Somalia, until the rule of law is established, piracy will continue to be a threat in our region,” said President Michel.

The President was accompanied at the high-level meeting by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Jean-Paul Adam, the Minister for Environment and Energy, Professor Rolph Payet, the Secretary General in the Office of the President, Lise Bastienne, the CEO of the Islands Development Company, Glenny Savy, the Chief Press Secretary, Srdjana Janosevic, and First Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Rebecca Loustau-Lalanne.