Seychelles associated with Nobel prize

Seychelles Nation - 22.10.2007
Seychelles has been closely associated with this year’s Nobel prize, through the presentation of the coveted accolade to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) on which this country has a strong representation.

Dr Payet (left) and Mr Agricole have a share in the award

Dr Rolph Payet said this at State House on Friday, referring to IPCC’s joint recognition with former US Vice-President Al Gore who also got the award.

Dr Payet has been with the IPCC since 2001 and is now Lead Author, while Wills Agricole, another Seychellois, who joined the IPCC in 2006, is a Contributing Author.

“It is a remarkable testament to the dedication and commitment of the thousands of experts and participants who have produced the Panel's rigorous and comprehensive assessments of climate change research.

"This is an honour that goes to all the scientists and authors who have contributed to the work of the IPCC, which alone has resulted in enormous prestige for this organization and the remarkable effectiveness of the message that it contains," Dr Payet quoted IPCC chairman Rajendra Pachauri as saying.

"It is the most significant recognition that the IPCC has received for providing policymakers with objective and balanced information about the causes and impacts of climate change and possible response measures," said Renate Christ, the secretary of the IPCC.

Hundreds of authors from all regions of the planet have devoted an incredible amount of time and labour to writing and reviewing the reports. None of them has been paid for their time.

The IPCC assessments are based on peer-reviewed scientific and technical literature. The IPCC reports are written by teams of authors from all over the world who are recognized experts in their field. They represent relevant disciplines as well as differing scientific perspectives. This global coverage of expertise, the interdisciplinary nature of the IPCC team, and the transparency of the process, constitute the Panel's strongest assets.

Mr Pachauri said the honour makes each of the contributors a Nobel Laureate.
“I am sure you would agree with me that all of us should be appreciative of the support of and facilitation that we have received from all the governments that are part of the IPCC.

“The fact that the IPCC has earned the recognition that this award embodies, is really a tribute to your knowledge, hard work and application. Indeed the Co-Chairs of the Working Groups have a large measure of the credit that the award carries,” the IPCC chairman said in a letter to the contributors, expressing his “heartiest congratulations and deep thanks for your outstanding achievement.”

Seychelles, Sweden narrow ties on climate change, knowledge development and oceans management

Seychelles, Sweden narrow ties on climate change, knowledge development and oceans management - 09.10.2007

Source: Seychelles Nation

The Special Advisor to the President, Dr Rolph Payet, has been granted a special audience with His Majesty the King of Sweden, Carl XVI Gustaf, to discuss climate change issues, in particular the Sea Level Rise Foundation, as well as the Seychelles University and knowledge development.

This meeting follows the very close relationship that Seychelles has enjoyed with Sweden over the last 15 years in areas of environment, climate change and ocean issues. 

Both H.E. Ronny Jumeau, Seychelles’ Ambassador to the UN, and Dr Payet, were special guests of His Majesty in 2005 for the Royal Colloquium, which took them to the artic circle to discuss the long-range effects and implications of the melting artic. 

Sweden, a developed nation, features in the top ten of the UNDP human development index, has one of the most competitive economies in the world, and has a high level of knowledge penetration.

In Stockholm, Dr Payet is also expected to meet with key ministers in the Swedish Cabinet and government officials to discuss a number of issues including knowledge-based societies, the Seychelles University, and overseas regional cooperation, especially their role in advancing marine research and ocean governance in western Indian Ocean.  This is in the wake of recent findings that coral reefs and other marine species will continue to suffer from the changes in the climate as well as human pressure.

During the short visit to Sweden, Dr Payet will also attend the graduation ceremony of the World Maritime University, which is based in Malmo, a coastal city south of Sweden.

The World Maritime University, which is a leading tertiary institution in maritime affairs endorsed by the International Maritime Organisation, trains students from numerous maritime disciplines – including navigation, ocean trade, ocean law, maritime technology, marine pollution prevention and port development to meet the standards and demands of the industry. 

Dr Payet is also expected to meet with the President of the University to discuss the Seychelles University and other issues related to tertiary education in the maritime sector.  It is to be noted that several prominent maritime professionals in Seychelles have been trained at this University.

Climate change and sea level rise

Climate change and sea level rise - 01.10.2007

Source: Seychelles Nation

Seychelles among few taking action
Seychelles stands out among the few countries that are taking action against climate change and sea level rise, the special advisor for Environment at State House, Rolph Payet said on Friday.

He was speaking in an interview after returning from the First Global Island Partnership meeting held in Rome, where Seychelles President James Michel launched the Sea Level Foundation.

The foundation is a culmination of initial efforts spearheaded by Seychelles in a Small Islands Developing State (SIDS) meeting attended by former United Nations secretary general Kofi Annan in Mauritius.

Dr Payet said that there has generally been a lot of talk but very little action, although some countries are now coming up with initiatives similar to those of Seychelles, where they are setting up protected areas.

When President Michel and Dr Payet were in Rome, the Head of State announced that over and above Seychelles’ many protected areas, part of Silhouette, this country’s third largest island, has become a national park.

In his interview, Dr Payet said that while it is known that sea level will inevitably rise since preventive measures, even if taken, will not produce immediate evasive effects, few countries are taking action to help cope with the expected aftermath.

Seychelles is in this respect, for example, taking into consideration the highest predicted new sea levels, and adjusted the height of newly reclaimed land accordingly.

A number of countries are in fact asking Seychelles for help in setting up various initiatives, Indonesia being one of them, as it sets up a coral protection strategy, Dr Payet said, adding that the move will involve other countries in what he called “the world’s coral reef centre.”

Further on sea level rise, Dr Payet said that there exists a need for more sensitization of partners in the island states, using modern technology particularly in the sharing of knowledge that is already available.

There is need for the creation of more programmes and greater involvement of decision makers at the highest possible level of leadership.

Dr Payet said that President Michel and himself had very productive discussions with key environment protection players in Rome, recalling that approval was granted for Seychelles’ US $3.6 million from the Global Environment Fund for mainstreaming biodiversity in development.

The funds will improve areas where better biodiversity will have a positive impact such as tourism, and the resources they depend on such as forests.

Delegates at the meeting were also very supportive of Seychelles’ plans to develop a university and were keen to help Seychelles set up especially the environment aspect of the institution.

President returns from Rome meeting

Seychelles Nation - 29.09.2007

President James A. Michel returned to the country yesterday morning after attending the First Global Island Partnership Strategy Meeting on climate change in Rome, Italy, this week.

The President delivered the keynote address at the meeting and announced the launching of the Sea Level Rise Foundation to galvanize global action to address the devastating impacts of climate change on our planet.

This foundation will pool resources and expertise to support small island states, islands and low lying areas in adapting to sea-level rise.

With the launching of the foundation, Seychelles continues to take the lead in leveraging international attention and focus on the impacts of climate change on islands.

President Michel also announced in his Rome speech that Seychelles would declare Silhouette, the third largest granitic island, a new national park.  It will be effectively managed for resilience to climate change.  Seychelles will have more than 50% of its land territory under formal protection.

It was President Michel and his homologue from the Pacific island of Palau who founded and launched the Global Island Partnership (GLISPA) at a small island states meeting in January 2005.

President Michel was accompanied at the Rome meeting by his special adviser for environment, Dr Rolph Payet.